Why Public Speaking is the Most Important Skill in the Future

Imagine a headline reading, “80 million jobs lost in the US by 2030!” That imaginary headline is an actual prediction from the research arm of McKinsey and Company, one of the big 5 consulting firms. If that future scenario becomes reality because of advancing technology, how would it impact you? 

What do you think will be some of the jobs that would not be replaced by automation and robotics? What do you think will be some of the skills that will be in high demand?

The potential list of jobs lost, saved and created would be quite extensive and perhaps you could argue which skill set is the most important because there are several. You can be certain, however, that one set of skills that will never be replaced by automation or robotics. What is that set of skills? Often times people refer to this set of skills as “soft skills.”  I call them “human (only) skills.” Creativity, empathy and communication are vital human skills. They can not be replaced by AI. In an ironic twist, automation, AI and robotics will allow people to focus on uniquely human skills.

In the coming years and decades as work becomes increasingly team-oriented, innovative and collaborative, companies (think Google) will need people who can lead teams and communicate well. In today’s marketplace, and that of the future, it won’t be good enough just to do your job well. You will need to be an effective communicator. You will need to rock your executive presentation, association breakout or team huddle. In order to advance in your career a key component will be to overcome any fear of public speaking and build your public speaking skills.

WHY IS PUBLIC SPEAKING AN ESSENTIAL SKILL?

Why is the ability to communicate and speak in public effectively the most important skill? First, it is the essential skill for any human to human relationship from interpersonal relationship to our corporate ones. Second, and here is the key, it is in short supply. Let me explain. Decades ago when Boomers and Xers entered the workforce, the complaint from employers was that these young people coming out of college didn’t have enough technical skills. Now, since 2017 Millennials have been the largest workforce generation. What is one of the major complaints now from employers? It’s not that they lack technical skills. The vast majority of Millennials have technical skills in abundance. No, it’s that many of them lack soft skills… the ability to speak in public and communicate effectively. This is certainly not to mean that all young people are poor communicators. That would be an inaccurate statement. In fact, in my personal opinion, the other generations were not much better at public speaking and communicating effectively coming out of college either.

OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WITH PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS

What does this mean? Well, it means that there will be a need in leadership positions for individuals who can communicate well. Imagine this scenario. A company has an opening for a VP position. The culture in this particular organization is to promote people from within. The team responsible for recommending who will be promoted to Vice-President has narrowed the field down to two people. Both are well qualified and equal in almost every area except one: communication. One candidate appears anxiety ridden whenever he has to deliver a presentation. That candidate is a mediocre speaker at best. The other knows how to inspire a team and communicates clearly and effectively. Which one do you think will get the promotion? Without a doubt, the person who can speak well in public and give effective executive presentations.

NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE

The 38th President of the United States was Gerald Ford. In his early years before entering politics he was a college athlete and accomplished scholar graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and Yale University law school. I find it fascinating that with such an academic background that President Ford said, “If I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two areas. Learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.” I believe what President Ford said is true. It certainly lines up with my experience and with that of the people that I have coached and taught in seminars. The ability to communicate clearly, inspire teams and give effective executive presentations has always been a valuable skill. In the future it will be one of the most sought after leadership skills for those wanting to lead teams and manage people.

How would developing your public speaking skills set you up for leadership in the future? What are you doing to master public speaking?