How to Become a Better Speaker: 6 Ways to Build Your Confidence and Skills
Updated: Sep 23
by Stephanie Bickel
Great speakers make communicating look effortless.
They step in front of an audience, connect with the room, and deliver their message with confidence. It's easy to watch someone like that and wonder whether they were simply born with a natural ability to speak.
What you don't see are the hours of preparation, rehearsal, feedback, and experience that helped them get there.
If you want to learn how to become a better speaker, the most important thing you can do is start practicing. You can develop your skills in everyday conversations, team meetings, virtual presentations, and other opportunities to share your ideas.
Here are six ways to accelerate your growth.
1. Envision Yourself as a Better Speaker
Before your next presentation, think about the speaker you want to become.
How do you want to feel when you enter the room? What do you want your audience to understand? What would a successful presentation look like?
Write down a few statements that describe the experience you want to create.
For example:
I will connect with my audience.
I know my message and why it matters.
I will communicate my ideas clearly.
I can handle questions with confidence.
My words will inspire people to take action.
Use these statements to guide your preparation.
You don't have to feel completely confident before you begin. Focus on the actions that will help you become the speaker you envision.
2. Study Speakers You Admire
One of the most effective ways to improve your speaking skills is to observe people who communicate well.
Watch presentations, interviews, and virtual conversations. Pay attention to more than what the speaker says.
Notice how they begin. How do they capture attention? When do they pause? How do they use their voice, facial expressions, and gestures to reinforce their message?
Consider how they organize their ideas and transition between topics.
You can explore our playlist of great public speakers for examples of different speaking styles.
Choose one technique that stands out and experiment with it in your next presentation.
The goal is to learn from other speakers while developing a style that feels natural to you.
3. Practice with Other People
Speaking to an audience is a skill, and you develop that skill by doing it.
Start with people who make you feel comfortable. Practice a presentation with a family member, friend, or trusted colleague.
Ask them to listen for the clarity of your message.
Did they understand your main point? Were there moments when they lost interest? Did anything feel confusing or unnecessarily complicated?
As you become more comfortable, practice with people who more closely resemble your intended audience.
If you're preparing for an important leadership presentation, consider rehearsing with a colleague who understands the subject or the expectations of senior leadership.
Specific feedback can help you improve your message, vocal delivery, physical presence, and ability to respond to questions.
4. Practice on Your Own
You don't always need an audience to improve your speaking skills.
Find a quiet place and rehearse your presentation aloud.
Pay attention to your pace, gestures, facial expressions, and how you move through your material.
You can also record yourself using your phone.
Listen to the recording without looking at your notes. Is your message easy to follow? Are you rushing? Do you sound engaged in what you're saying?
If you record video, watch it to see whether your physical presence supports your message.
Choose one thing to improve during your next rehearsal.
You might work on slowing down, adding a pause after an important point, or delivering your opening without looking at your notes.
Small adjustments become more natural with repetition.
5. Put Yourself in Speaking Environments
Look for opportunities to observe and learn from people who speak regularly.
Industry associations, professional networking groups, conferences, and workshops can expose you to different communication styles and give you opportunities to participate in discussions.
Consider attending events where you can ask questions, introduce yourself, or share an idea with a group.
You don't have to begin with a keynote presentation.
Speaking up during a networking event or contributing to a professional discussion can help you become more comfortable expressing your ideas in front of others.
You may also meet people who share your goal of becoming a stronger communicator.
Find a practice partner, exchange feedback, and encourage each other to pursue new opportunities.
6. Ask for More Opportunities to Speak
Sometimes, the best opportunities are already available to you.
Tell your manager that you're working on your communication skills and would welcome opportunities to present.
You might volunteer to lead a team meeting, deliver a project update, facilitate a discussion, or share a recommendation with leadership.
Look beyond work, too.
Could you speak at a community event, participate in a school career day, or share your expertise with a local organization?
Each experience gives you an opportunity to practice connecting with an audience, organizing your thoughts, and communicating with greater confidence.
You don't have to wait until you feel ready for a major presentation.
Start with the opportunities in front of you and build from there.
Your Next Step Toward Becoming a Better Speaker
Becoming a better speaker takes practice, and you can make that practice part of your everyday life.
Choose one action to take this week. Record yourself delivering a short message, study a speaker you admire, or volunteer to lead a conversation.
Then keep going.
The more opportunities you create to speak, reflect, and improve, the more comfortable you'll become sharing your ideas with others.
Continue Improving Your Leadership Communication
Strong leadership communication develops through practice. Whether you're navigating a difficult conversation, presenting to executives, or guiding your team through change, the way you communicate shapes your impact.
Continue your communication growth with these Speak by Design resources:
Listen to the Speak by Design Podcast
Get practical leadership communication strategies, real executive coaching examples, and tools you can apply in your next meeting, presentation, or conversation.
Read the Speak by Design Book
Discover the communication frameworks leaders use to earn trust, increase influence, and make their messages memorable.
Ready to accelerate your communication growth?
Speak by Design University is a comprehensive leadership communication experience that combines private coaching, live workshops, and practical tools designed to help you communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and influence.
