How to become a confident public speaker: proven strategies for success
Great speakers are sometimes born, but more often than not, they’re made! With practice, you too can become a great and convincing presenter, effectively sharing the successes of your work, your ideas, and your vision with others.
In this Reader, Maliasili's Resson Kantai Duff and Monicah Mbiba are joined by Dr. Oliver Nsengimana from the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, one of Maliasili’s East African partners. They discuss their experiences and share insights about speaking on national and international platforms about issues they are passionate about. The three of them answer questions honestly and in a relatable way, providing valuable insights that will help you, no matter what stage you are in your public speaking journey, to improve your skills.
Left to right: Monicah Mbiba, Dr. Olivier Nsengimana and Resson Kantai Duff.
Monicah, you’ve recently been speaking about issues that are important to you, such as community-led conservation and better partnerships between organizations in the global north and south within conservation. Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a confident public speaker? Has it always been this way?
Speaking in public has always been a part of my life. When I was younger, I performed in school plays and more. I was quite the performer! However, as time went by, especially when I started working, I began losing my confidence. I had imposter syndrome, faced different audiences from what I was used to, and began to second-guess myself. I'd see other very confident people speaking eloquently, and I would doubt my own abilities.
So, over the years, I've focused on rebuilding my confidence by taking on new speaking challenges, even when hesitant or intimidated to do so. I’m not aiming for perfection - I think of becoming a great speaker as a never-ending journey. I take each speaking opportunity or presentation as a new challenge that I embrace and learn from. It's a skill I'm consistently building.
Resson, many might recognize you from the great Ted Talk you did a few years ago on why Africa needs community-led conservation. You’ve also spoken widely at many other national and global events. What are the 3 things you think make a presentation truly unforgettable and impactful?
To me, good presentations are a continuum between practicing, rehearsing, and learning, and being vulnerable and unscripted. What I truly believe, however, is that at the end of the day, at the end of the speech, talk, or presentation, you have to be proud of yourself. Here are three things I’d like to highlight:
Make it personal: Even if other people have endless ideas of what you should say during your speech or presentation, you must include something YOU are passionate about. What do you want the world to hear from you? If you're clear on this, it’s easy to turn a dry set of information into something powerful that you have passion or interest in.
It is not about what you say; it’s about how you make the audience feel. People will often take away what they felt, rather than the statistics or information shared. It’s sometimes about your body rather than just your words. Move your body, be expressive, and help the audience feel your passion a bit more.
Recognize what I like to call 'authenticity ticks.' These are signals your body gives you when you're about to speak about something you are deeply passionate about. I have a friend whose leg shakes; for me, my voice breaks a little. And this is when I know I have to take my courage up a notch higher - I recognize it, and I keep going. Some people are shy to do this, when you feel that nervousness that comes with having to share something that is either controversial or requires us to be braver than usual. But knowing these ticks can help you know when it’s the moment to be brave and share that thing you care deeply about. I believe it’s a strength.
Olivier, you’re also known for delivering great presentations (we’ve also seen it first-hand ourselves), and we know you love to tell stories! Can you share why incorporating storytelling into presentations makes a big difference?
Storytelling is a fundamental part of who I am. Although I studied science, storytelling has always been a source of inspiration for me. I grew up in a storytelling community, where my grandmother and family frequently shared stories, many of which involved wildlife. This is the case across many African communities, where our history has been passed down through generations orally. These stories had a profound impact on me and played a significant role in leading me to a career in wildlife conservation. My grandmother’s storytelling helped shape my path, which is why incorporating storytelling into my talks is so important to me.
Stories inspire. We remember a good story much faster than a collection of statistics. Just as my grandmother inspired me, I strive to inspire others with my own stories. As a scientist, I find that combining data with stories is a powerful way to showcase your work and its impact.
Stories connect people. They help us engage with various audiences - from communities to donors - and allow us, as conservation organizations and leaders, to speak in a language that is easily understood. Stories have the power to evoke emotions.
Stories paint a picture. They bring our work to life, especially for those who are unfamiliar with where we work or exactly what we do. They help bridge that gap.
For me, a powerful presentation should always include a great story.
Monicah and Resson, do you ever get nervous before speaking? How do you manage those jitters and keep your cool on stage?
Monicah: Absolutely, I get nervous! But I believe in doing it even while scared - don’t let fear hold you back. If you make a mistake, just keep going. It’s all part of the process. One thing I find helpful is to remind myself that it’s okay to be nervous - it means you care about what you’re saying. And remember, the audience is on your side. They want you to succeed, so use that positive energy to push through.
Resson: Definitely, nerves are a natural part of speaking in public. I try not to take myself too seriously. Everyone gets jitters, and it’s completely normal. Find a moment to take a deep breath before you start. If you make a mistake, don’t be afraid to admit it. People empathize with honesty and it can actually make your talk more relatable.
Monicah: Also, find a connection in the crowd. I always try to smile and make eye contact with someone. It helps to find your allies in the audience, especially when discussing tough topics.
Resson: That’s a great point. And something else that helps is getting used to the sound of your own voice. Record yourself over and over, and listen to the playback, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. You only have that one voice, so get comfortable with it. The more you hear it, the more natural it will feel to speak in front of others.
Olivier, what are your go-to techniques for connecting with and engaging your audience from the get-go?
I start by taking the time to understand the audience beforehand - are they students, scientists, community members, or donors? What are the things they care about so I can make my talk relatable? This is crucial because you could have the same message, but the delivery needs to be tailored to your audience.
I also strive to speak from the heart, focusing on content that I’m passionate about. I choose topics that make me feel enthusiastic, and I imagine they can inspire others as well. I aim to evoke emotions and share my passion.
There is no special ingredient besides just being myself. I always want to share about the things that drive me, and the work that I’m deeply passionate about.
Monicah, how do you get ready for a talk, especially when diving into complex topics? Any special rituals or routines?
Don’t take preparation lightly. I practice repeatedly until I know my content really well and clearly. When I don’t do this, I don’t feel as confident at the moment. I want to know my story until I can deliver it naturally. I smile and connect with someone in the crowd, especially when talking about difficult topics. An important tip: find those allies in the crowd - they’re there for you.
Remember, your choice of words and expressions matters, especially when discussing complex or sensitive conversations. And when we talk about presentations and talks, it’s not just about global or international platforms, this also applies to meetings with communities, with partners, government, and more. You need to have the right words that speak to the sentiments and subject. Get comfortable with the things you want to say, and have the right context and terminology for them.
Resson, what are some common slip-ups speakers make, and how can we dodge them?
One of the quickest ways to make a mistake on stage is trying to be someone you’re not - so the first thing is to accept yourself, as Olivier says. Then remember, slip-ups will often happen, but preparation will help you avoid them. The more prepared you are, the more you can avoid embarrassing slip-ups, such as forgetting parts of your presentation, or using the wrong context or framing.
Sometimes, slip-ups happen when you don’t have a clear structure for your talk or speech. I've included a useful resource below to help with this.
To help you prepare, here are some quick tips:
If you're an auditory person: Record and listen to your speech several times, and make adjustments as needed.
If you're a visual person: Write down your notes or put your slides together, and practice.
If you're a tactile person: Practice within your environment, using objects or props if that helps you.
People often feel the need to have many types of mediums - lots of visuals and multimedia to make presentations more engaging, but there’s a risk of overdoing it. What advice would you give?
Monicah: Less is more. If you put too much on your slides, you end up taking away your audience's focus. Keep it simple; use one medium that’s most appropriate for the audience. The presentation is not for you; you just need the key impactful visuals and important stories to accompany them.
Resson: I completely agree. In the past, I’ve received training that even suggests not using text at all. If you work in the conservation world, where you have amazing, captivating images/videos of people and nature, use them along with a headline. Focus on a stunning visual that is related to your work and story. This way, people will focus on you, rather than struggling to read text from the back.
Resson, I know you’ve often spoken about every person having their own style of speaking that’s true and natural to them, rather than copying others. What’s your advice for someone trying to develop their own unique speaking style?
It starts with really knowing who you are, and the things you believe in and care about. One way to discover this is to start journaling - it helps you to be clear about the things that matter to you, and inspire you. Eventually, you’ll develop a blueprint of ideas that are important to you. For example, if inclusion in conservation is important to you, start to develop clear thoughts about it. Eventually, when you speak about it, you’re coming from an authentic perspective.
Acceptance of yourself and what you represent is crucial. We often think other people’s stories are more convincing, but finding your own positionality and who you are is really important. You don’t need to copy others; own your story, including your background, nationality and journey. Use this to forge your own speaking style and identity that is true to you.
Please recommend any resources or exercises that have really helped you improve your public speaking skills?
Resson: One framework that I use repeatedly, and can say has been one of the most beneficial for me when it comes to giving talks and presentations, is the Six-Sentence Beginning (SCIPAB).
It’s a powerful tool that helps provide a strong summary at the start of your speech. It’s a great method for helping me think clearly about what I want to say, and it organizes my thoughts in a way that allows the audience to follow the flow and grasp the important messages. I use it at the beginning of any speech or talk, and even if the audience doesn’t fully grasp the rest of the presentation, they’ll have gotten the gist of the message right at the start. I highly recommend it!
Monicah: Toastmasters International provides a structured program for developing public speaking and leadership skills through local clubs and meetings. Ask around if there’s a Toastmasters near you! The Public Speaker Podcast has ultra-practical, science-based tips at the intersection of leadership, psychology, and communication.