3 More Reasons Why Introverts Make Great Public Speakers (part 2)

50.7% of the population is introverted. That is a whole lot of people that often will discount themselves as great public speakers usually because of 3 reasons: personality, anxiety and false belief.

Let me explain.

The personality of someone whose behavioral style is introverted tends to be introspective. So if you are an introvert your inner world is where you re-charge and draw energy. You don’t seek the lime-lite although you want to be recognized for your accomplishments. Your natural tendency and communication style is more reserved than that of extroverted individuals. In fact, the gregarious style of some people and their talkative nature might even drive you nuts!

Fear of speaking in public grips most introverts and even many extroverts. In fact, in many studies the fear of speaking in public is the number one fear among adults. The truth is that most adults don’t take steps to conquer their fear… so fear controls them. If you are an introvert it is very likely that you experience a high degree of anxiety before giving a presentation. However, you don’t have to be controlled or limited by it. You can learn to overcome your fear. I know. I've done it and taught hundreds of people to do it!

Just because we believe something doesn’t make it true. How many years did people believe the world was flat? How many introverts believed that public speaking was an extroverts game so they didn’t sign up to play? The fact is, introverts make great public speakers.Check out that blog here if you haven’t already. And, if you haven’t read part one of this series where I bust the false belief that introverts don’t make great public speakers, check it out out here.

Let me make the case of why, as an introvert, you would make a great public speaker.

3 reasons why introverts are made for the stage!

1. Focus on the audience

Have you ever listened to a presentation and felt like the speaker was more about himself or herself than the audience? Does that turn you off to whatever the speaker might be saying? A tremendous benefit of being introverted is that you will focus on the audience and not yourself. Why? Because as an introvert you know that you are reluctant to be presenting in the first place. It is not the everybody-look-at-me-show. Therefore, as a speaker an introvert's attention will be on the audience and not themselves.

2. Speak conversationally

Have you ever watched a speaker whose mannerisms were extremely gregarious? How did that make you feel? Have you ever watched someone who spoke with passion but spoke naturally? How did that make you feel? Which would you prefer? Most people prefer a speaker who speaks naturally without all of the extremely gregarious gestures. Just know that natural does not mean boring. It doesn’t mean monotone. It doesn’t mean passionless. When someone speaks naturally it is conversational. It feels natural, not fake. It connects. Another strength that you have as an introvert is that you will speak conversationally.

3. Messages are systematic and logical

One more… have you ever listened to a speaker who took a series of rabbit trails? What did you think? Have you ever said after a presentation, “that 45-minute presentation could have been done in 10-minutes” or “I don’t know what he or she was trying to say”? Presentations are best when they are systematic, logical and progressive… meaning all of the points are driving toward the conclusion. Delivering this type of message begins in the solitary place of writing, crafting and designing the presentation. As an introvert you will be less likely to take rabbit trails and more likely to stick to the logic and persuasion your presentation as you are speaking. This too is another benefit of being introverted.

If you are introverted, you have a lot of strengths that will benefit you as a speaker. Yes, you will have some hurdles to overcome but so do extroverts. Their pitfalls just happen to be different.

If you’re introverted can you see how your behavioral style is actually a strength?

Are you able to shift your mindset?

Can you see how with a little help and understanding that you as an introvert can be a powerful public speaker?

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