Public speaking isn’t a talent that some people are born with and others aren’t. It’s a trainable set of skills that anyone can learn with the proper structure, practice, and feedback. Whether you’re briefing executives, onboarding new hires, or presenting to community partners, your goal is the same: deliver a clear message that your audience can absorb and act on.

Start with the Three Cs

Strong speakers build on three core competencies: confidence, clarity, and composure.

Confidence comes from believing you can clearly share your message. It grows from preparation and small wins. Set a simple goal for your next talk—such as a strong opening and a single call to action—then measure yourself against it.

Clarity is how easy you are to follow. Use simple language, organize your thoughts, and avoid jargon to keep your audience engaged. If your audience can’t repeat your key point in one sentence, your message needs tightening.

Composure is staying calm and flexible when the unexpected happens. Staying calm means handling unexpected moments, like technical issues or tough questions, without losing your cool.

Try this quick exercise: take two minutes to prepare and one minute to speak on an everyday topic. Choose one C to emphasize. Notice how your delivery changes when you prioritize that skill.

Structure with Purpose

Every message should serve a specific purpose. Are you informing, persuading, or engaging? Your goal shapes every aspect of your presentation, including your tone and visual aids.

Next, understand your audience. What beliefs do they already hold? What do they need from you? Identify their top three questions and structure your talk to address them.

Then build your architecture:

• Opening: Hook attention with a relatable question, a surprising data point, or a brief story that connects to your purpose.
• Core: Organize content into three digestible points. Support each with an example or visual that anchors memory.
• Closing: Land the plane. Restate the value, name a clear next step, and end on language that’s concise and memorable.

A helpful drill is the micro‑speech outline: craft a two‑minute talk with an intentional hook, three core points, and a closer that your audience could quote.

Deliver for Impact

Engagement hinges on how you sound and how you show up.

Vocal dynamics—tone, pitch, and pace—are tools, not decoration. Vary them to signal transitions, highlight takeaways, and inject energy. Record a practice run and circle any stretches that are monotone or rushed.

Nonverbal communication does the rest. Plant your feet, use open gestures, and make eye contact long enough to finish a sentence. If slides are involved, face your audience, not the screen.

Connect, Don’t Perform

The most memorable speakers don’t perform at their audiences; they involve them. Set the tone early by welcoming participation and explaining how you’ll handle questions. Use brief stories to humanize your message, and add simple interactive elements—polls, show-of-hands checks, or a quick partner discussion—to reset attention and surface insights.

During Q&A, listen fully, paraphrase the question, answer briefly, and bridge back to your message. It’s okay to say, “I’ll follow up with details,” and move on.

Polish with Practice

Rehearsal isn’t about memorizing a script; it’s about building muscle memory. Practice out loud in short reps, refine your opening and closing, and run a checklist for timing, transitions, and tech.

If stage fright spikes, address the biology: breathe slowly, plant your feet, and label the sensation—“My body is gearing up to help me”—before you start. Prepare a recovery line for common hiccups, like, “Let’s pause a beat while I pull that up,” and continue.

Learn by Doing—with Coaching

Skill growth accelerates when practice meets feedback. That’s why HEC is hosting Communicate with Confidence: Mastering Public Speaking, a three-hour, in‑person workshop designed for real-world application. You’ll practice short talks, get peer and facilitator feedback, and leave with repeatable frameworks for content, delivery, and audience engagement. The session is led by Kimberlee Davis, an HEC Talent & Organizational Development facilitator with deep experience in instructional design and leadership training.

Details: Wednesday, October 23, 2025, 9–12 p.m., Kahili Room at Hawaii Employers Council. HRCI and SHRM credits pending. Registration: $97 HEC members; $202 non‑members

If you want your next talk to land with confidence, clarity, and composure, join us. You’ll walk away with tangible tools, enhanced skills, and the confidence to make your message stick.