A Speaker’s Most Sought-After Trait

Written by Pam Chambers

Each January, I encourage those in my circle to select a Word for the Year. This word should provide guidance and clarity as we make important decisions and choose courses of action. What if we went one step farther and chose a Word for the Year that would help us become better speakers?

Recently, at the first session of a Level I Presentation Course, I asked each participant to write one word that identified a trait they most wanted to develop. There were ten people in the class. Seven chose the word “Confident.” (The other words were “Commanding,” “Credible,” and “Approachable.”)

With sincere confidence I said, “If you come to each class and use the tools you’ll learn here, I can promise that you’ll get what you just asked for.”

And so it was.

If you have confidence as a speaker, you need never fret over such questions as: What if someone knows more than I do? What if someone walks out on me? What if I run out of time?

When you have the right tools and know how to use them, you will be a confident speaker.

As a speaker, what’s your Word for the Year?

A Speakers Most Sought After Trait


10 Comments

  1. Nate Burgoyne   |  Monday, 02 January 2012 at 11:03 am

    My word: Consistent

  2. Pam Chambers   |  Monday, 02 January 2012 at 11:09 am

    Yes, so that your audience can count on you! And so that you create a brand. Great word!

  3. Bob Sigall   |  Monday, 02 January 2012 at 7:51 pm

    Confidence says “I’m going to take you on a journey. I know what I’m doing. I’ll take care of you and everything.” I think confidence comes from feeling I could handle anything that came up – easy questions; hard questions; disruptive people; power failures; whatever. I don’t have to have all the answers, just trust myself to be able to respond in any situation.

  4. Pam Chambers   |  Monday, 02 January 2012 at 7:56 pm

    Exactly, Bob! Thank you for these additional examples.

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  7. Patrick Williamson   |  Friday, 13 January 2012 at 10:19 am

    Great post, Pam. My word is “connect”. I want to improve my awareness of my audience (whether it’s one or many) and myself, and how we are relating.

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  9. Pam Chambers   |  Sunday, 04 March 2012 at 4:38 am

    Thank you! I’m over-due for another post. I hope you’ll think it’s as good!

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