Last updated on Jul 5, 2024

What do you do if your mid-career needs a leadership boost?

Finding yourself in the middle of your career can be both exciting and daunting. You've built a foundation of experience, yet you might feel the need to elevate your leadership skills to continue your ascent. Public speaking is a powerful tool in this journey. It's not just about presenting in front of an audience; it's about communicating with confidence, clarity, and persuasion. Whether you're addressing your team, pitching to stakeholders, or speaking at conferences, your ability to articulate ideas can set you apart as a leader. In this article, you'll discover practical ways to harness your public speaking abilities to give your leadership skills a mid-career boost.

1 Assess Skills

Take stock of your current skill set and identify areas where you can improve. Effective leaders are self-aware and recognize the importance of continuous learning. Examine your public speaking abilities critically. Are you confident in front of an audience? Can you convey your message clearly? If not, consider joining a local speaking club or taking a course on communication. These steps can help you gain valuable feedback and practice in a supportive environment, allowing you to refine your delivery and presence.

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Steven Klinger

I help you build, market and sell valuable stuff
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La matrice Ikigai peut vous aider à ça. Je l'utilise personnellement avec mes clients pour faire le point non seulement sur leur activité professionnelle, mais aussi sur là où ils en sont personnellement.

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Kari Heron, PCC

Powerhouse. Speaker. Executive Presence Genius. Helping execs & companies make bankable social impact in markets they serve. Media tycoon loading. Tastemaker. TV Host & MC. Podcaster. Mentor. Educator. Fine Experiences🏆
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I have taught the senior executive clients I have worked for over the last 20 years that we speak our way to success. First impressions are lasting. Public speaking is not limited to just having the privilege of standing on a platform with a mic and stage lights... but it is inherent in small meeting rooms, business dinners, introductions you make of your leaders, colleagues and clients and even how you introduce and carry yourself in speech and how you enter a room. How you appear in public SPEAKS about you and it speaks loudly, even if you are vocally silent. Learning to master the art of public speaking is a fine craft and one that will single-handedly position you leaps and bounds as a standout in a crowd.

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finajordan camara

Responsable des programmes chez CPDH
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C'est pourquoi l'expression orale n'est pas le seul créneau de leadership car, il y a des orateurs très audictible mais n'ayant pas le charisme et la patience humains d'assistance des tiers. Ces qualités complémentaires font de la personne un leader complet. Et à cela s'ajoute la formation et l'apprentissage continue pour relever le défi générationnel. Finajordan

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2 Set Goals

Setting clear, achievable goals is crucial for progress. Determine what you want to accomplish with your enhanced public speaking skills. Maybe you aim to lead more engaging meetings, or perhaps you aspire to be a keynote speaker at industry events. Whatever your objectives, make them specific and time-bound. This will provide you with a roadmap to track your development and keep you motivated along the way.

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Steven Klinger

I help you build, market and sell valuable stuff
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Une stratégie sans objectifs clairement définis ne sert à rien. Ce n'est même pas une stratégie d'ailleurs. Rappelez-vous : ils doivent être SMART !

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3 Learn Continuously

The world of public speaking is vast and ever-evolving. Leaders who are committed to boosting their skills must be lifelong learners. Read books by renowned speakers, watch TED Talks, and study the techniques of influential orators. Pay attention to how they structure their speeches, engage their audience, and manage stage presence. By immersing yourself in learning, you'll uncover new strategies and insights that can elevate your public speaking prowess.

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Monika Tandon

Business Storyteller & Author | Corporate Coach l Founder @ Katha Pachisi - the story bank l Top Public & Motivational speaking voice l Empowering Leaders & working professionals to learn Business Storytelling
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If you're in the middle of your career and want to become a better leader, here's what you can do: First, see what skills you have. Then, decide where you want to go. Keep learning new things, learn new skills to remain relevant in future, Practice being a leader often. Ask people for advice on how to get better. And don't be afraid of tough situations—take them on as chances to grow. Follow these steps, and you'll be on your way to being a stronger leader in no time!

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Steven Klinger

I help you build, market and sell valuable stuff
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Apprendre et faire de la veille, c'est important...mais inutile si vous n'en faites rien : triez les informations, collectez les sources et faites-en une bibliothèque numérique rien qu'à vous...ou monétisez-là si elle est vraiment qualitative :)

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4 Practice Regularly

Just like any other skill, public speaking improves with practice. Seek opportunities to speak in front of an audience, whether it's leading a workshop, volunteering for a presentation, or even speaking at community events. The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with your style and the more adept you'll be at handling unexpected situations. Remember, every speaking engagement is a chance to hone your skills.

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5 Seek Feedback

Feedback is a gift that can guide your improvement. After every public speaking opportunity, ask for constructive criticism from trusted colleagues or mentors. What did they think of your pacing, your body language, and your ability to keep the audience engaged? Use this feedback to make incremental changes to your approach. Over time, these adjustments will lead to significant improvements in your leadership communication.

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6 Embrace Challenges

Finally, don't shy away from challenging speaking engagements. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is how you grow. If you're offered a chance to speak on a topic that's not your expertise, take it as an opportunity to learn something new and expand your horizons. Challenging yourself in this way not only improves your public speaking skills but also demonstrates your willingness to lead in unfamiliar territories.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Steven Klinger

I help you build, market and sell valuable stuff
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Faites-vous accompagner par des professionnels compétents. Il faut parfois laisser l'égo de côté et se dire qu'on a besoin de quelqu'un pour avoir ce cadrage qui nous fait parfois défaut ! Attention toutefois aux bonimenteurs vendeurs de formation en ligne : privilégiez l'accompagnement personnalisé, c'est la meilleure façon d'en avoir pour votre argent.

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What do you do if your mid-career needs a leadership boost?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Skills

2 Set Goals

3 Learn Continuously

4 Practice Regularly

5 Seek Feedback

6 Embrace Challenges

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Speaking

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More articles on Public Speaking

What do you do if your mid-career needs a leadership boost?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Skills

2 Set Goals

3 Learn Continuously

4 Practice Regularly

5 Seek Feedback

6 Embrace Challenges

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Speaking

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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