Why Are Introverts Great Public Speakers?

Speaking in public is one of the most daunting experiences you will ever do. Indeed, a room full of people fixated on you and what you have to say can be extremely intimidating. This is doubly true for introverts as people who are introverted aren’t as sociable as extroverts. And while being introverted does carry some disadvantages when it comes to public speaking, you’d be surprised to know that being introverted can actually help you become better at public speaking. If you want to learn more about why being introverted can help, read on as we explain why introverts can be great public speakers.

Public Speaking Doesn’t Require You to Be Sociable

A common misconception about public speaking is that you must be extroverted to do well. This could not be further from the truth. You can be a quiet person, keep to yourself most of the time, and still deliver powerful speeches to thousands of people. Public speaking is the art of clearly and powerfully expressing your ideas to meet a specific purpose -to motivate people, for example. An effective speaker will choose exactly what to say and what to leave out depending on his or her audience and the context. Therefore, an introvert can be just as good at public speaking as an extrovert.

Introverts Are Insightful

A speaker must have substantial, interesting information and insight in order to be successful, whether they are an introvert or an extrovert. Introverts can often come up with a lot of ideas and have a lot of creativity. They can often go into depth about a topic, allowing the audience to sit up and pay attention. This stems from their ability to read a lot and to research really well. When creating an opening or designing a conclusion, introverts tend to have an edge over extroverts as they are more skilled at writing interesting content.

Introverts Focus More on Their Audience

Key elements of an effective speech include relevance and resonance. A successful speech is directed at the audience, and the audience finds it relevant to their understanding. Listeners usually form opinions based on what they've heard and conclude from what is relevant to them. Because listeners make judgments about the speaker, by changing the focus of the speech, so that it is relevant and of importance to the audience, listeners are more likely to pay attention and appreciate the speaker. 

When giving a speech, introverted speakers are more aware of their audience than extraverted speakers. They are able to pick up on non-verbal signals, such as people checking their phones, which can indicate the audience is getting bored or restless. They can adjust their speech on the fly to address the issue, such as cutting out unnecessary information or asking a question to get the audience's attention back.

Public Speaking Requires a Lot of Solitary Activity

Since the success of a speech hinges on its preparation, introverts often excel at delivering speeches because they have spent countless hours practicing their craft. It takes a lot of time and effort to be successful at public speaking; it’s not something that anyone can become good at without extensive practice. But introverts typically spend ample time preparing for and perfecting a speech, which means they can master the art of public speaking. Anyone can learn to be good at anything with adequate practice. With such extensive preparation and so many hours spent practicing, it’s hard to imagine why introverts can’t be good at public speaking.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you see how introverts can be good at public speaking. While it may be difficult to wrap your head around it, being introverted can actually be advantageous. If you are an introvert, then we implore you to explore your public speaking skills as you may be surprised to find that you have a real talent for it.

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