Did you know that a staggering 75% of people fear public speaking? I recently stumbled upon an article revealing this eye-opening statistic and learned that the fear even has a name—glossophobia. Astonishingly, about 6% experience a severe version of this fear, and many of us feel we’d rather do almost anything else than speak in front of an audience. This anxiety often develops before we turn twenty and can linger well into adulthood. Yet, when we look at the great leaders around us, we might notice that many are outstanding public speakers—one of their most valuable qualities.

The great news is that public speaking isn’t something you have to be born with—it is a skill you can acquire. I speak from experience here, drawing from over 26 years in financial services and technology and as a woman navigating business and STEM fields. Now, as a transformational speaker, I get to leverage my experiences to speak about personal branding, building diverse networks, advancing in your career, embracing the unknown, and more—and the art of public speaking has contributed so much to my ability to communicate these valuable concepts with my audiences.

Today, I want to underscore the importance of persuasive communication skills and public speaking and, equally as notably, how your organization can support its leaders in developing assertive communication skills.

Developing Your Speaking Skills

In my videos, I engage with two primary audiences: individual women looking to advance their careers and develop their leadership skills and organizations keen on nurturing these leaders for a robust leadership pipeline that taps into the company’s talent pool. During my career, I took countless steps to become a confident public speaker, starting with volunteering for speaking opportunities.

Back in 1991, right after college, Hector invited me to chair the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration for Prudential at our Roseland, NJ, campus. My immediate reaction was, “Are you sure I can do this?” He assured me I could and promised his mentorship, and eventually, I chaired the event for three years. 

In full transparency, it didn’t come easily in the beginning. The first time I presented a keynote speaker, I was so nervous that my paper trembled in my hands. So, to ease my nerves, I employed a technique that I still recommend to others—I candidly told the audience I was nervous, which brought laughter and eased the tension. Once you get through those first 30 seconds, the toughest part is over, enabling you to concentrate on your message.

Volunteering remains one of the most straightforward strategies I recommend for anyone looking to enhance their public speaking abilities. Whether introducing a topic to managers or presenting to your team, stepping outside your comfort zone is crucial for improvement. The more you seize these opportunities, the more your confidence blossoms; soon enough, you’ll excel with ease.

Practical Steps for Individuals and Organizations

For organizations, developing leaders goes beyond assessing their functional expertise—communication skills play a pivotal role. A leader may excel in various domains, but if they struggle to communicate effectively, they won’t be able to unlock their team’s fullest potential. Leaders need to facilitate clear communication, especially during difficult conversations. They must articulate the factors influencing the organization’s economy, well-being, and financial stability. Good communication is closely linked to executive presence, making it vital for organizations to provide avenues for leaders to become powerful communicators. Confidence is foundational to this development process.

Cultivating Confidence and Continuous Growth

Confidence in communication only develops through opportunities to nurture it. As organizations, are we giving our leaders chances to step up and hone their communication skills? Additionally, how do you support a leader facing challenges in this domain? 

This is a crucial area where I guide my clients, including the incredible women and partners I collaborate with, such as Women in Financial Markets (WIFM) and McKinsey & Company, where I’m an external leadership coach for their Hispanic/Latino Executive Leadership Program. This is a meaningful topic of conversation when discussing leaders in ascension.

Today, my homework for you is to reflect on your communication skills. 

What do you appreciate the most about your communication skills now? 

What aspects of your communication skills would you like to improve? 

Look at the opportunities you can seize and then plan to act on them. Nothing will change or improve without action.

Another strategy I used to become a better public speaker, and I recommend it to you, is joining Toastmasters. Back in the nineties, I joined a chapter that met at my employer’s site, and it was transformative for developing my communication skills. I also encourage you to explore courses on platforms like LinkedIn and Mindvalley—Lisa Nichols’ “Speak and Inspire” course is particularly impactful, especially for those aiming to speak on stage, as I do as a transformational speaker.

Focus on Connecting With Your Audience

Throughout my journey with public speaking, I’ve found that authentic and vulnerable storytelling is a potent tool. Why? Because vulnerability fosters connection. It helps your audience see your message clearly, supporting and inspiring them in their transformations.

When preparing to speak, I center myself by focusing on the audience—what are their pain points? Their desires? What are they there to hear? Then, I craft my message. Right before speaking, as nerves typically arise, I remind myself it’s not about me—I’m just the messenger. My goal is to show up prepared, grounded in my zone of genius, with my unique value proposition, to connect with the audience and give them my best. 

Watching my old presentations shows my growth over time.  I give myself grace, acknowledging that I’m constantly improving—the key is to focus on progress, not perfection. 

Call to Action

If you need support in building your communication skills or the skills of your leaders, I  invite you to connect with me at www.CallWithGinny.com.

As a talented female leader looking to grow and advance, it’s meaningful to retool–such as improving your communication skills. As organizations, we must create opportunities for professional development to increase engagement, performance, and retention.

In November 2024, I invite you to attend our complimentary Women’s Fearless Leadership Masterclass to discover the 4 keys I’ve applied throughout my career and now teach through our ExecutiveBound programs. I also extend this invitation to the talented women in your company’s women affinity groups to join us–as a senior people leader, your invitation would sponsor and promote their professional growth.

I’ll lead the Masterclass across two impactful sessions and share how to own your vision and unique value confidently, cultivate strong support networks and allies, and create an action roadmap for personal and professional growth. I’ll also show you how cultivating sponsor relationships can strengthen the bridge to get there. To learn more about the next Masterclass, visit https://drginnybaro.com/events and register to save your VIP seat. Former VIP Masterclass members, check your inbox for info@executivebound.com and simply click “I’m in!” to join us next. See you there!

Live with purpose, live with joy!

Coach Ginny