If you wish to improve your personal communication skills you should certainly explore the programs of Toastmasters international. Perhaps the world’s largest self help organization, Toastmasters has clubs in virtually every nook and cranny of the world. In medium to large cities in the US and elsewhere you may find dozens to a hundred or more different chartered clubs.

The ability to give an effective presentation is important in many aspects of contemporary society and is likely to remain so, even in the digital age. One of the strengths of the Toastmaster format is that it teaches not only formal presentations but informal extemporaneous responses as well.

The typical format of a Toastmaster meeting is split between what are called table topics and formal speeches. During the table topics portion, and topics master will call upon members and ask them a question to which they are asked to give a short 90 second of so response. This practice allows people to develop good communication skills when handling day to day interactions, with customers, clients, and bosses.

A confident response with a clear beginning, middle and end is far more likely to clinch a sale then a hemmed and hawed response. This single aspect of the Toastmaster program could be worth tens of thousands of dollars in added sales, or more for some.

The second portion, the formal speech portion consists of typically 3 speakers giving 5 to 7 minute prepared speeches. Toastmasters has a series of manuals which members use to focus on different aspects of speaking from vocal variety to gestures to working with words. These formal speeches thus help members develop different specific communication skills with each new speech.

The 5-7 minute format also forces speakers to focus their attention on the most important part of their particular topic- a valuable skill in itself.

Once the formal speeches are concluded, they are evaluated by members in a supportive manner that also serves to teach good evaluation skills that are also great in another light for upcoming managers, as they focus on giving positive reinforcement as well as constructive criticism.

Individual clubs will vary this basic format to meet their particular circumstances, but the net result is a safe and friendly environment where people of all walks of life can find support while learning to perfect their personal communication skills.

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The fear of public speaking is a common trait, and can become a personal roadblock affecting your career and social life unless confronted head on.

The ability to effectively communicate ideas and concepts to multiple people is a critical leadership skill, one which when mastered can help you advance in whatever career you seek to pursue, whether public speaking is a large or small part of the day to day tasks.

A group leader within any organization must be able to communicate that organizations immediate and long term objectives to the assembled team. This communication may be as simple as the days assignments, or more complex outlining corporate strategy and seeking employee input on critical functions.

In any of these communications, there are always at least two major components, the message and the delivery. The source of many people’s fear of public speaking springs from their inexperience with one or the other of these two elements.

The better you understand the material, the easier it is to communicate it. The more confidently you present the material, the more likely the message will get through to your audience.

If you are in an entry or mid level to level job, your ability to communicate with your fellow workers and help them understand and perform their tasks is a characteristic your employer will appreciate.

Recognizing this, it’s imperative that you work to build your personal skills. The first step is to focus on your audience. The odds are that you know some of your fellow workers better than your manager or boss does. If nothing else, you probably get to hear some of their franker feedback.

Much that is said in the workplace and in every day life is misspoken and/or misheard. When you notice such circumstances think to yourself how it could have been better said to communicate the message. If the speaker is speaking over someone’s head or using jargon, imagine how you might have said it better.

The goal of public speaking it to communicate, and if you pay attention to how your co-workers or friends react to someone else’s presentation, you will begin to pick up useful tips on how to be more effective yourself in a similar situation.

So the speaking task requires not only knowing the material, but also the audience. Your goal is to connect the dots between the two.

The second source of fear is that of appearing foolish. If you have a handle on your main message and focus on your audience, the odds are that you won’t actually have any problem with this. And if you do, take solace in the fact that people’s memories are really quite short. At the worst, you may get some ribbing from your friends. But no worse than if you were to fall off the proverbial horse. The secret is to get back on, and seek out another chance to speak again.

You will be surprised at how forgiving your audience will be. After all, many of them share your fear of public speaking and will sympathize with you. And the experienced speakers in your audience will smile inwardly as they recall how they too, at one time shared the same fear of public speaking. The only difference being that they, like you had the gumption to actually get up and speak, despite their fear of public speaking. These are the people who will recognize you for your efforts and keep you in mind when advancement opportunities present themselves.

Effective communications is important in all organizations. Your willingness to overcome your fear of public speaking is one of the surest ways to advance within any organization.

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