Chapter 2 Building Confidence

What is Confidence? Confidence: feeling you have when you believe you are capable of handling a situation successfully Result of ongoing preparation and practice More times you try something, the better you get at it Confidence gives stability to speaker and makes message believable

What is the opposite of confidence? FEAR!! Communication Apprehension: fear of speaking in public situations Fear is normal! It protects us from harm so we can cope with danger. Biologists call this the flight or fight syndrome. Phobia: persistent, irrational fear Many people fear giving a speech more than they do dying! (Seinfeld)

Symptoms of Fear Upset stomach Flushed face Dizziness Fast heartbeat Shortness of breath Excessive sweating Wobbly legs Symptoms usually occur right before we speak and during the first 30 seconds or so after we begin a speech

Perceptions in Speech Perception: how you see things Accurate perceptions help us gain awareness or learn more about others We understand things better Inaccurate perceptions cause us to blow things out of proportion We make mountains out of molehills

Our Perceptions of the Audience Speakers assume the audience: can see their nervousness and know when they mess up Not true! Research shows the audience: is often unaware of anxiety will ignore or forgive mistakes if speaker is interested in topic and audience

Our Perceptions of the Speech Speakers see a speech as a performance A speech is: an opportunity to share an extension of the speaker Remember that it’s NOT a performance!

Our Perceptions of Ourselves We think we are less than perfect Making a mistake in a speech does not equal total failure Don’t be afraid to make mistakes Self-esteem: another word for confidence We are not born with confidence; it is built

Giving a Speech Don’t panic! Don’t be afraid to make a mistake! Speech isn’t brain surgery We are only human Think about how to correct mistakes in future speeches Laugh at mistakes

Planks of Confidence Content Organization Notes Friendliness Impression Dedication Empathy Newness Conviction Enthusiasm

Class Activity Break up into 10 groups Each group will be assigned one plank of confidence Read your group’s plank information in the book Tell the class IN DETAIL about your plank Which plank is easiest for you? Hardest?

Planks of CONFIDENCE Content – having something worthwhile to say Organization – have an intro, body, conclusion Notes – “safety nets” – need 3 note cards; KEY WORDS ONLY Friendliness – SMILE when you speak 

Impression – appear well dressed and groomed Dedication – practice, practice, practice Empathy – putting yourself in other’s shoes Newness – be original! Conviction – believing in what you say Enthusiasm – speak with energy!