"Oh, you speakers, you are all so talented, it is so easy for you to speak on stage. I'll never be able to do that," a recent event attendee told me.
My ego was delighted, of course, until a few seconds later, when my sanity kicked in again.
I hate to break it to you, but anyone who says you need TALENT for public speaking is just looking for excuses.
I probably have some talents, like we all do, but public speaking isn't one of them!
When you speak in public, you should have a PURPOSE. A MESSAGE. A MISSION. Or at least be FUNNY.
But you don't need talent to speak in public.
Barack Obama is always held up as the shining example of a great public speaker. But of course Obama started out as a public speaker long before his big political career. He practised public speaking as a community organiser. He practised public speaking as a professor. He practised public speaking as a lawyer. He copied preachers and professional politicians. Obama had a purpose. Obama had a message. Obama had a mission. But TALENT? That was mostly hard work! (and in Jon Favreau, the US President had a hell of a speechwriter).
Public speaking is a CRAFT that everyone should learn. This is my MISSION.
You learned to walk. You learned to talk. If you still need to learn public speaking or want to improve, don't wait a moment longer.
And then use public speaking to show the world your true talents!
(Photo by Tim Gouw)

Kommentit