Medical professionals have their share of losses, just as orators experience public failures in their speeches.
Chatting with Igor Valiev, Public Speaking Guru
Igor Valiev, a psychologist, educator, and business trainer, is all about helping folks conquer the fear of speaking in public. In Yekaterinburg, Russia, Valiev founded The Oration Club, a platform for anyone eager to hone their public speaking skills. After 7 years, the club inevitably shut down as Valiev moved to Israel. But that didn't halt his mission. Now, he offers individual and group lessons, both in-person and online, to share his wisdom on appearing in public and alleviating the dread of public speaking.
Do people always struggle with public speaking?
Public speaking phobias vary across different cultures. In the Russian context, people often fear criticism, ridicule, and the pressure to conform to the crowd. When the audience is unfamiliar, it's tough to gauge their expectations and respond accordingly, leading to feelings of anxiety and unease. This social resistance is deeply rooted in our genetic memory from ancient times when being rejected from the community could mean certain death. However, some individuals find public speaking a breeze, while others, especially the introverted, might struggle.
The Advantage of Early Starters
For those who nervously clutch the microphone, take heart – with effort, anyone can develop their speaking skills to a professional level. Those who seem to have been born with a silver tongue might just have begun their public speaking journey earlier.
Biting the Bullet: Stepping into the Spotlight
Regardless of the situation – whether you're saying grace before a family dinner or delivering a keynote address – the stage can be nerve-wracking. The size of the audience makes a difference. When the audience is smaller, you can toss around lively dialogues and build rapport through dynamic exchange. Larger crowds call for a more monologic approach, where you function as a lecturer, ensuring your speech is clear, concise, and carries impact.
Embracing the Challenge
To prepare for addressing an audience, it's vital to research their interests and perspectives to tailor your message accordingly. Frequently, clients approach Valiev with the question of how to persuade everyone to accept their viewpoint. He advises addressing potential objections and counterarguments before taking the stage, finding rational solutions, emotionally captivating language, and vivid examples to move hearts and minds.
Philosophical Approach: A Valuable Discovery
For Valiev, public speaking is more than just showcasing his identity; it's a journey of self-discovery, personal development, and building connections with others. This shift in perspective, a valuable discovery, allows him to create a conducive atmosphere for speaking, rather than using the stage as a platform for self-promotion.
When Tension Turns Physical
Along with psychological stress, public speaking can trigger physical symptoms such as trembling, stuttering, or confusion. Addressing these issues requires unlearning habits, gearing up mentally, and developing key speaking skills.
Cameras: The Unseen Audience
Public speaking isn't just about addressing a live audience – it's also about navigating the scrutiny of video cameras. Fear often stems from the unfamiliar perspective of seeing oneself on film. Valiev advises embracing self-acceptance as the first step to nailing a video presentation. Observe yourself on film three times: first, listen to the sound and how natural your voice is; second, evaluate your body language without sound; third, and finally, evaluate the overall impression.
Developing your Voice
Working on your diction and voice are as essential as expanding your vocabulary. Mastery of public speaking relies on a mix of logical and emotional factors, and an appealing voice can sway an audience just as much as your message. It’s possible to cultivate a more appealing voice, but it requires effort, practice, and patience.
Self-Discovery through Speech
Through his extensive 26-year career, Valiev has encounter a myriad of individuals with diverse backgrounds and unique voices. His mission is to help people unlock their true potential, and he believes that anyone can become a notable speaker with the right guidance and dedication.
Sources:[1] https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/improving-public-speaking-preventing-performance-anxiety/[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/webenation/2020/01/14/how-to-crush-public-speaking-fear/?sh=7db4c47d3fa1[3] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/counterclock/201003/why-dont-we-like-public-speaking[4] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/build-vegas/201812/overcoming-public-speaking-anxiety[5] https://www.psychologistworld.com/articles/introverted-extroverted.php
- Igor Valiev, acknowledging the variations in public speaking phobias across cultures, suggests that for those who struggle with public speaking, the key to improvement lies in dedicated effort and practice.
- During his individual and group lessons, Igor Valiev encourages clients to be mindful of their audience's perspectives and interests, preparing them to skew their message to resonate with the audience, particularly addressing potential objections and counterarguments.
- Embracing self-discovery, personal growth, and education-and-self-development, Igor Valiev considers public speaking not only a means for self-expression but also an opportunity for individual transformation and building connections with others.
- In addition to addressing psychological stress, Igor Valiev addresses the physical symptoms associated with public speaking, such as trembling and stuttering, by focusing on habit-breaking, mental preparation, and key speaking skills.
- For someone pursuing career development and excellence in public speaking, Igor Valiev emphasizes the importance of constant learning, self-acceptance, and paying close attention to one's speech, including diction, voice, and body language, to create a lasting impact on an audience.
