What do you do if your peers criticize your public speaking skills?

When it comes to receiving criticism I’m going to go the non PC way and ask “who’s the source”. If you are being offered advice on ways to improve from someone who has the experience or has the best intentions, that’s one thing. But you do not have worry about other people think. Think of your favorite Rock Star who after having an amazing sold out show reads a bad review from a “music critic”. You have a choice, to be open to receiving “suggestions” or not. If you think of every time you speak that’s a show, then the more shows you present the better you become. Everyone has an opinion & it’s just that, their opinion. Record yourself, play it back, rehearse, stay focused, and have fun. It’s only one show. G

First, understand if you are receiving criticism or feedback because there is difference between criticism and feedback. A critic is someone who is highlighting negative aspects, flaws, and shortcomings. Criticism can also be fairly subjective depending on the source and situation. Someone who is providing feedback is providing helpful information (positive or negative) that can help the person grow, learn, or adapt. A couple of questions I would ask myself: -Who is the source of the information and what could be their intention? -Do they have enough information to make this statement? -Where am I receiving this (public vs. private)? -Is there any truth to the feedback or criticism? -Have I heard any of this information before?

If your colleague is giving constructive criticism, listen to the suggestions and decide for yourself whether you will use the suggestions or not. Feedback is valuable and it can help you improve your speaking skills. Even if the feedback is not constructive there could be some nuggets that you can glean from the criticism too.

A few considerations with critical feedback: 1. Did I ask for this feedback - if yes, remind yourself this person is HELPING you. If no, politely let them know you're not quite ready to receive feedback yet but you'll let them know when you are. 2. Sit with the feedback for a while so you can fully process it, sometimes our immediate reactions after often more emotional interpretations. 3. What gets measured, gets improved. Taking on board different perspectives and feedback (rather than just cheers!) on your public speaking can actually open up so many areas for growth and development that you wouldn't have otherwise seen. 4. Practise makes perfect. That's it! That's the magic sauce.

It's essential to approach their feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn and improve. Firstly, listen carefully to their specific criticisms and try to understand their perspectives. Instead of becoming defensive, use their feedback as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. Consider seeking additional training or coaching to address any weaknesses they've highlighted. Practice speaking in front of peers or join public speaking clubs where you can receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment. Stay positive, take feedback as a learning opportunity, and continue to work diligently towards enhancing your public speaking abilities.

"That's great! They gave you an opportunity to learn. The most terrifying thing is to not be aware that you're not good enough at something. The good news is that public speaking skills require mostly practice. You can practice on random people, family, in front of your mirrors, and with scripted speeches. Also, recording yourself giving public speeches will help you see your progress. At some point, you will notice that your public speaking has become smooth and appealing."

Criticism is feedback about expectations. Listen to what is being said and explore where the other person is positioning you and them in relational aspects. Be curious about the words being used and clarify with them in an active collaborative interaction of sense making. Learn to accept that their intention is to offer support to help you grow as a professional. Invite them to notice the difference their feedback will make to your performance. A presenter has accountability to the audience and therefore it's important that the performance in presenting meets expectations.

Public speaking is funny... when people don't like what they hear they have a tendency to just ignore you. If you have someone giving you feedback, even negative, be gracious. It's a gift! 1) You may end up a better speaker by understanding a new perspective, and 2) You have an opportunity to influence someone who may have biases or objections.

Oft steht die Emotion im Weg, wenn sich Feedback eher wie ein Angriff anfühlt. Nimm dir also Zeit, um das Feedback auch zu verarbeiten. 1) "Federe ab" -> Paraphrasiere / Wiederhole das Gesagte in eigenen Worten -> "Danke für dein Feedback/Input/Rückmeldung" -> "Gut, dass du das ansprichst." 2) Konkretisiere -> Was genau meinst du mit...? 3) Antworte So verschaffst du dir Zeit und Verständnis, um rationaler auf Feedback zu reagieren.

Constructive feedback serves as a valuable tool for growth in public speaking. Feedback offers insights from different viewpoints, helping you understand how your message is received. Even experienced speakers benefit from feedback, as it unveils areas for refinement and fresh approaches. Expressing appreciation for feedback fosters a positive environment and encourages further dialogue. Honest self-assessment allows for targeted improvement, addressing weaknesses and building on strengths. Remaining open to feedback requires humility, ensuring personal growth isn't hindered by pride. Embracing constructive feedback cultivates a culture of growth, propelling speakers to new heights of proficiency and effectiveness.

Feedback ist wie ein Geschenk. Zum einen bedeutet das, dass die andere Person etwas gutes will. Auf der anderen Seite ist das schöne, dass es ganz und gar dir überlassen ist, was du mit deinem Geschenk machen möchtest. Nimm dir Zeit zu reflektieren, aber nimm auch den Druck raus etwas umsetzen zu müssen.

Being mindful and self-aware is a skill that you grow over time, especially professionally. Sometimes observations on our professionalism are hard not to take too personally. Tracking feedback you've gotten over time from your peers, direct reports, and leadership can often be helpful with self-assessment and deciding how you want to change. Other times, there is feedback that clashes with how you want to show up authentically in the workplace. Remembering to strike the balance and listening to your intuition about what resonates with feedback you're given has served me well in my career.

Learn to embrace criticism as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. Approach your peers or mentors for specific feedback on areas where you can improve your public speaking skills. Listen attentively, remain open to constructive criticism, and view it as valuable insights to enhance your performance. Take steps to boost your confidence by visualizing successful speaking experiences, practicing relaxation techniques, and reminding yourself of your strengths as a speaker. Confidence will help you navigate criticism with resilience and poise.

Know that phrase "you are your own worst critic"? Well sometimes our most trusted mentors give us feedback that hurts a bit. Give feedback a safe space. Don't dwell there, and find something that you can do to get 1% better.

Take the feedback in and hold a mirror up to yourself and ask is it accurate? I struggled with this and booked onto a presentation course at work, it was really enjoyable and has helped me improve but also know my strengths and weaknesses

I will take time to honestly reflect on the feedback I received. I will consider how I can improve and what specific aspects of my public speaking skills I need to work on.

Don't become your own obstacle by denying the truth about your capabilities. Embracing honesty in self-reflection ensures you're not the barrier to your growth and success.

Nimm im ersten Moment die Frage mit einem Wiederholen des Gesagten in eigenen Worten oder einem "Danke für dein Feedback/Input/Rückmeldung" auf, um der anderen Person zu zeigen, dass dir ihr Feedback wichtig ist. Im nächsten Moment erlaube dir auch das Feedback zu konkretisieren, um es vollumfänglich zu verstehen. Statt dich zu rechtfertigen gehst du mit deinem Gegenüber in einen ehrlichen Dialog.

Please don't hesitate to seek support from experienced speakers, mentors, or public speaking coaches. They can provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and practical tips to help you overcome your challenges and reach your full potential as a speaker.

Understanding the "Why": Just knowing something wasn't good isn't enough. By asking "why" specific moments felt unengaging, you can pinpoint the root cause. Was it the pace, the lack of visuals, or a monotonous tone? Actionable Steps: Vague feedback doesn't give you clear direction for improvement. Specific questions like "What could I have done differently to keep your attention?" provide actionable steps you can implement in your next presentation. Avoiding Misinterpretation: Vague comments like "unengaging" can be misinterpreted. Clarification helps ensure you're working on the aspects that truly need improvement.

Turn every criticism into an opportunity to learn. Ignore the polemic tone and calmly reply: "Oh, thanks for your feedback. Please tell me more. What exactly can I do better next time?" Nobody can hurt you if you don't give them the power to do so.

Upon criticism, it need of the hour at that time to understand the aspects of peers. It ultimately open-up the new window to see the world.

Seeking clarity is a recognition of your genuine curiosity around the value of feedback and what you can learn from criticism. It also "puts your critic in a tight spot" where they need to defend their position, offer alternative solutions, be more precise and accurate about their statements. Whichever way it goes, you are quite likely to benefit!

One thing I have found helpful if someone is criticizing you is to ask a trusted person what they think and their opinion as well - perhaps this one person found your presentation boring and another found it insightful. Feedback just is - you get to decide if you act on it.

When the feedback is vague or unclear, I will ensure I seek further clarification from my peers. Understanding their specific concerns will help me focus on areas that need improvement.

From my experience as someone who hasn't been the best performer in public speaking, I've learned to seek clarity from my audience, as that's the only way to learn and grow. I use the phrase "Failure is the best teacher," but only if you allow it to be. If you feel judged by your audience, instead of feeling attacked, you should urge them to give you constructive criticism. Learn from your own mistakes by discussing them with others, but also learn from the mistakes of others. Like any skill, public speaking requires much clarity and feedback to grow into the blooming flower you know you can be. Simply put, reach out for help and stay courageous.

Tomarse un tiempo para responder es la forma correcta de procesar, evitar impulsos, tras una pregunta o una disputa tomate 3 segundos antes de responder, úsalos para acomodar tus ideas y para quitar la idea de que la discrepancia es personal.

"Planning your response" sounds like a luxury few people have in real life situations. A better strategy would be to anticipate risks and ask yourself a variety of "what if..." questions in advance.

Know your audience. This applies to receiving feedback, too. Speaking and presentation workshops are great... they may give you a method, refine your style, or help you overcome a fear... but at the end of the day you're talking to real people, with real wants/needs/pains. They're listening to you because you may have a solution. Talk to that person.

Practice - Take every opportunity to speak in public, whether it's in front of a small group of friends or a larger audience. Each speaking engagement is an opportunity to learn and grow as a speaker. Also set aside time to study the techniques and styles of accomplished speakers who inspire you. Watch their speeches, analyze their delivery, and take note of what makes them effective communicators. Model their strategies and adapt them to your own speaking style.

Before addressing a group again, consider your goals and options for both external and internal feedback. For external, who in your audience might be helpful to assess you? If the audience is completely unknown to you, this is obviously not going to be your "go to" choice. But if it's a group within your organization, you could choose a person who is thoughtful and has analytical ability to observe and comment on your skills. For internal feedback, it also might be helpful to ask someone to record you. Even an amateur phone video can give you pointers for reflection about your poise, delivery, and connection with an audience. If the environment allows for this, you would do well to ask for a video. View and evaluate!

Creo que una de las mejores formas de evaluar el progreso es revisar grabaciones y pedir opiniones. Si no nos brindan el tan preciado feedback, tenemos que solicitarlo. Preguntando a alguien que consideremos que se comunique de una forma mas efectiva y tenga experiencia hablando el público.

What do I do if my peers criticize my public speaking skills ? I remain calm and professional. I listen to see if there is validity in what they are saying. If so, I take onboard what they are saying. I don't get offended. Before any public speaking engagement I always say the same prayer: Dear God, I will speak for the first 3 minutes, then I ask you to take over. Works everytime. Let Go Let God.

When you effectively assimilate your peers' feedback in not just Public speaking but any skill as a matter of fact, it significantly reflects your EQ. So next time a colleague, friend or even your sibling gives you suggestion, take a moment and let that sink in- then create an action plan to implement those.

My advise is: If your public speech is important for your professional success, or even for your private life, do not make the speech without first consulting a specialist in this matter. Often there is no second chances. First impressions are the most lasting ones. Being eluquent does not mean that you know how to make public speeches. Be humble, learn first.

always remember this, handling criticism of your public speaking skills requires resilience, openness, and a commitment to growth. By embracing feedback as an opportunity for improvement, practicing diligently, seeking support from mentors, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can overcome challenges and emerge as a confident and effective speaker. Remember, every setback is a stepping stone to success on your journey towards mastering the art of public speaking.

I always lean in to storytelling. We prove a skill through Learn, Say, Do... so a fun way of presenting is talking about how someone DID something... badly... we learn through mistakes and sometimes it's easier to learn through someone else's mistakes.

In Toastmasters, you can expect a constructive feedback from your fellow club members. There are parameters on what to critique and how to deliver it. Toastmasters is not only a great place to develop speaking and evaluation skills, you can also learn how to receive and implement feedback.

I have had complaints about my public speaking as I sometimes talk to fast. Yes seeking out trainings and having people listen and critique you are great. What helped me the most is I encouraged myself in a daily basis with a simple affirmative prayer. Affirmation: I am an excellent speaker in my own unique way. I speak with love joy and peace and I love and approve of myself.