***Humility in Public Speaking Triumphs Over Bravado

While nervousness or fear of the speech or presentation is researched frequently on the internet, some of the finer points of one’s personality and delivery are often excluded. Once you are able to control your nervousness, it is important to recognize some of these finer points, the most humbling of which is humility.

Displaying arrogance, self-praise, and bravado are not the traits found in truly great public speakers. What you will find instead are speakers who are honored by and grateful for their audience. Those in the public speaking circuit who do not value their audience are the one who are not invited back.

Why is humility so valuable? Because your audience is the reason that you are speaking. Yes, they are there to hear you; but, it is in your best interest to show your appreciation of them by acknowledging, thanking, and appreciating those who want to hear you speak, those who have gone out of their way to give you 40 minutes or 3 hours of their time.

Does this mean that you cannot tout your own horn? Of course not. But there is a way to do so which is not arrogant, boastful or self-lauding. By the same token, I am not advocating a self-deprecating manner either.

I did this and I did that is boastful. I won this and I won that is self-lauding. Instead of praising what you have done or won or achieved, explain your success, your victory, or your wealth by demonstrating why or how you accomplished it – the steps you took, the years of hard work, the failures you encountered before you succeeded. Your audience will appreciate knowing that your success did not come easily. In that sense, they will appreciate you more.

It is also important to recognize that you, the speaker, are not greater than anyone else in your audience. You may have accomplished something they have not; but, there are many people in your audience you have accomplished things that you will never achieve.

One’s success in life is not limited to how much money you make, how famous you are, or how many books you have written. Success is judged on many other factors. Those who raise their children well are incredibly successful people (and in my opinion the most successful of all) and have every reason to be proud of what they have accomplished. While we live in a culture where fame and fortune are revered, there are many in life who succeed in ways that say more about them as truly successful people than those who are wealthy or renowned.

However your success or your fame was achieved, tell your audience the truth, explain how you got to where you are, and be ever humbled that there are people who want to hear what you have to say.