Public speaking is an art because no two people in the same setting will speak the same way.

This is similar to painters and sculptors, who create different things from the same material and even in the same image.

This isn’t another boring recitation of the anatomy of a speech or how good it’ll make you. It’s also not an excuse to slither your head to a podium.

Instead, it’s a way of rethinking how we approach and practice public speaking.

You might’ve read the article “Why I’m Not A (Political) Philosopher” about the virtues of communication, inclusion, and empathy, or the report about learning to accept failure and how it plays a significant role in our ability to create, say, a blockbuster video game.

But here’s something I haven’t seen said often enough: We can do more than pick these up like habits. We can use each of these to be genuinely awesome.

When it comes to public speaking, there are a handful of skills that are best honed:

1. The art of listening

(Psychologist BJ Fogg explains here how you can do this, but you need to start with the basics, including learning the difference between silence and distraction.)

2. The art of persuasion

Not the cunning and cruel kind, or the type that drives a strategic stake through your victim’s heart. The kind of persuasion that uses logic, observations, and physical gestures to persuade.

It’s your ability to relate to a listener and inspire trust and empathy, your ability to create a narrative with your audience and motivate them to move forward on a journey.

3. The art of showing up

That is, delivering what you intend to provide—that is, being yourself in the moment—rather than what you think you need to give, and creating opportunities to explore new topics with your audience—and also being able to adapt.

In her most recent book, Peggy Orenstein describes her journey into being a public speaker. After attending a TED conference as a teenager, she was horrified to discover her lack of preparation—even to being in front of people.

It took her a year to go from performing for just a handful of friends in her living room to delivering a TEDx talk. How did she learn the art of being a public speaker? And what does this tell us about the art of being an entrepreneur?

Why Public Speaking Is An Art

This article will discuss why public speaking is an art, and you should take it seriously. To become a good speaker,r you must first become a good listener.

It is vital to improving your listening skills so you can share a meaningful presentation.

Take a moment and ask yourself why you want to become a good speaker. You can use these to understand your motivations:

To share your stories with others so they can relate to you.

To share your point of view to open a conversation and educate others.

To improve your health and wellness to help others too.

To create a platform to tell your story so others can learn from you.

To develop your confidence so you feel comfortable.

To help others to gain the confidence to become their authentic selves.

To have a long and happy life.

Why Should You Avoid Being A Victim

Famous author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said, “We have a hard time recognizing the ways we use others and the ways we use ourselves.” Avoiding victimhood is one way to become a better speaker.

Stop blaming others for your situation or for the suffering you encounter. As a speaker, you can be a champion for those who are marginalized in society.

You can open their minds to learn, grow, and to become a better version of themselves. Remember, you are not responsible for their suffering, but you are responsible for your resilience.

Why Taking Risks Is Important

Risks are not easy to take, but they are essential for achieving your goals. Talking in front of a large audience is a real challenge and can feel overwhelming.

It is a real art to approach a crowd and be relevant to them in a powerful way. When you face a large group, never give up and keep going. Take pride in the risks you take.

Practice Often

You will never know the power of public speaking if you do not do it often. Try to take a few risks in everyday life so you can increase your skill. And, remember, it is never too late to start. Please don’t put your goals on the back burner because you think it’s too hard. Give it a shot.

Whether it is to become a better listener, open a conversation with another person, or share a personal story to inspire someone else, there are endless ways to improve your public speaking skills. I hope these suggestions have helped you better understand why you are a good speaker.

Have you ever found yourself stuck for a great topic to talk about?