Being a confident person has many benefits that have a positive impact on various aspects of life, including improving performance and productivity, increasing opportunities, strengthening social relationships and improving self-image.

Self-confidence is an aspect that needs to be honed continuously throughout life, especially when facing changes, challenges and new opportunities. While confidence is an important and positive aspect, too much unfounded confidence can have a negative impact. Self-confidence needs to be balanced with humility, self-awareness, and the ability to accept criticism and feedback.

Speaking skills are the ability to effectively convey information, ideas or feelings to others through words. It is an essential skill in various aspects of life, including education, career, and interpersonal relationships. To be able to develop effective speaking skills and become a better communicator, it is necessary to keep practicing.

From the writer’s experience, practicing consistently is an important step. For example, practice can start by speaking in front of a small audience, such as friends and relatives before facing a larger audience, to get feedback. This way, you can gradually improve your speaking style, intonation and body language, and it helps to build confidence in a supportive environment.

In the context of public speaking, it is not just about the speaker conveying information but a dynamic interaction also needs to be established between the speaker and the audience. How the audience responds to and interacts with the speaker can help with engagement and a stronger connection between the speaker and the audience, making the public speaking experience more effective and impactful.

Public speaking for the first time can be a daunting experience, but with practice and the right strategies. You can improve this skill significantly. Here are some strategies that can help:

1. Practice in Front of a Mirror: Speaking in front of a mirror can help you see your facial expressions and body language. This helps you realize how you look when speaking in front of others. Make sure you look confident and energized.

2. Join a Public Speaking Club: Joining a club like Toastmasters can give you the opportunity to practice regularly and receive constructive feedback from other members. 

3. Record and Rewatch Yourself: Recording your practice and watching it back can help you identify areas for improvement such as word pronunciation or voice intonation.

4. Learn Breathing Techniques: Good breathing techniques can help reduce anxiety and improve voice quality. You can inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. This can help calm your nerves and improve voice projection.

5. Master your material: Understanding the material well can boost your confidence when speaking in public.

Building confidence and public speaking skills is an ongoing process that requires practice, patience and a willingness to keep learning. By implementing these strategies and practicing consistently, you can become a more confident and effective speaker.

(Sekar Ayu Putri / Humas UNDIRA)

Press Contact :

Biro Humas & Sekretariat Universitas Dian Nusantara

[email protected]

Facebook : www.facebook.com/undiraofficial
Instagram : www.instagram.com/undiraofficial
Twitter : www.twitter.com/undiraofficial

www.undira.ac.id