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Leveling Up: The Growth Opportunity of Public Speaking in Tech

Public speaking is more than just delivering technical knowledge—it’s about inspiring, connecting, and building credibility. Sharing my expertise on Swift Macros in iOS recently at Do iOS Conference - Amsterdam was an exciting experience that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and taught me invaluable lessons.
Mustafa Karakus

Engineering Manager, Backbase

The Power of Public Speaking

Public speaking is more than just a way to share knowledge; it’s a platform to influence, inspire, and connect with others. Whether you’re presenting technical concepts, sharing personal experiences, or pitching innovative ideas, standing in front of an audience helps establish your voice and position in the industry. It’s a skill that not only boosts your professional credibility but also strengthens your ability to communicate effectively in every aspect of life.

Public speaking also allows you to bridge the gap between knowledge and understanding, transforming complex topics into digestible insights for your audience. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate expertise while learning to articulate ideas in a way that resonates. In today’s world, where collaboration and communication are as critical as technical prowess, mastering public speaking can set you apart and open doors you never imagined.

The Benefits of Public Speaking

- Enhances communication skills, a vital asset for leaders.

- Builds confidence to articulate ideas clearly, whether in meetings or mentorship sessions.

- Opens doors to networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.

Public speaking offers a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond the stage. It enhances your communication skills, enabling you to articulate ideas more clearly and persuasively, whether in meetings or casual conversations. This skill is especially valuable for leadership roles, where effective communication is key to motivating teams and influencing decisions.

Additionally, public speaking builds confidence. The more you speak in front of others, the more comfortable you become with your own voice and presence. This newfound confidence can positively impact your personal and professional interactions, making you more assertive and engaged.

Public speaking also opens networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with like-minded professionals, industry leaders, and potential collaborators. By sharing your knowledge on platforms such as conferences or workshops, you establish yourself as an expert in your field. This visibility can lead to career growth, invitations to speak at more events, and even new job opportunities.

In short, public speaking is not just about delivering a message—it’s about creating connections, advancing your career, and honing a skill that will serve you throughout your professional life.

Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

- Like many, I’ve experienced the nerves that come with stepping onto a stage.

- Fear of judgment or stumbling on words is natural but conquerable.

- I learned that fear is a sign of growth—if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.

Fear of public speaking is common, but it’s a hurdle that can be conquered with the right mindset and preparation. Understanding that nerves are natural and focusing on the value you bring to your audience can help reframe anxiety into excitement. Techniques like thorough preparation, practicing in front of peers, and visualizing success can turn fear into confidence, helping you to share your voice with impact.

Preparation is Key

Deep technical understanding: Before my talk, I reviewed Swift Macros inside out.

Storytelling approach: Rather than just explaining code, I used real-world examples and narratives to engage the audience.

Practice: Rehearsing with peers and getting feedback ensured clarity and flow.

Some ideas to get prepared

Improving your public speaking skills takes practice, and there are some exercises that can help you build confidence, clarity, and connection with your audience.

- Record yourself:

Use your phone or camera to record yourself while practicing your speech or presentation. Watching yourself can help you identify areas for improvement, such as body language, tone, or pacing. It also helps you become more comfortable with your own voice.

- Mirror is your friend:

Stand in front of a mirror and practice delivering your speech or key points. This will help you work on body language, facial expressions, and maintaining eye contact, which are crucial for engaging your audience.

- Random topic speaking:

Practice speaking on random topics for 1–2 minutes without preparation. You can pick a random word, phrase, or question and try to speak about it confidently. This will help you think on your feet and get used to handling unexpected moments during real presentations.

- Roleplay:

Pair up with a friend or colleague and take turns being the speaker and the audience. Roleplaying helps simulate real presentation scenarios, allowing you to practice different speaking styles, tones, and audience interaction techniques.

More practice makes you more prepared. If you're getting excited in front of the crowd -like me- be ready for improvising based on your knowledge!

Choosing the Right Topic for Public Speaking

Selecting the right topic is crucial for delivering an engaging and impactful presentation. Some key points to choose the your subject;

Know Your Audience: Tailor your topic to the interests, knowledge level, and needs of your audience. If you’re speaking to a tech-savvy crowd, focus on technical aspects or innovations. For a general audience, try to make complex topics more accessible and relatable. If the topic is too technical, but the crowd is general audience, most probably you'll lose your attention. 

Passion and Expertise: Choose a topic you are both passionate about and knowledgeable in. When you speak about something you care deeply about, your enthusiasm will be contagious. Passion also helps you navigate any nerves, as you’ll feel more confident discussing something familiar. If you're trying to talk about a topic that you're not good at, you might struggle in front of your audience. And don't forget that there will be some questions on your topic, be ready to answer them.

Relevance and Timeliness: Opt for a topic that is relevant to current trends, challenges, or discussions in your field. This makes your talk more valuable and ensures that your audience sees it as timely and important.

Clarity and Focus: Avoid overly broad topics that can overwhelm both you and your audience. A narrow, focused topic allows you to dive deeper into the subject and provides more value to your listeners. For example, instead of discussing "mobile development," focus on a specific tool or framework within it, such as Swift Macros.

Not only Theory: Well structured talk can get the attention and people will be interested about your topic that you're talking. Do not dive into the details immediately. Start with a baby steps. Be aware that not all your audience knows your topic, so start with a context. Explain the theory, why they are here for you, what was the context about, what is our goal here. Then give some structure content and talk over it. Not only theory, give some examples and real life solutions. 

Audience Engagement Potential: Consider topics that invite audience interaction or discussion. Engaging topics not only hold attention but also allow you to respond to questions and feedback, making the presentation more dynamic. So you can pause your presentation and ask questions to the audience for 5 mins to grab their attention and make it more interactive.

Actionable Takeaways: Your topic should provide value by offering your audience something they can take away and apply in their own lives or work. This could be practical tips, insights, or strategies they can use immediately after your talk.

Alignment with Your Goals: Think about your personal or professional goals when choosing a topic. Are you trying to establish yourself as an expert in a specific area? Or perhaps you want to inspire others to take action? Aligning the topic with your goals will ensure a meaningful and purpose-driven presentation.

Leveling Up: The Growth Opportunity of Public Speaking in Tech

I’ve seen firsthand how crucial communication and self-confidence are for professional growth—skills I’ve honed through several international public talks. Whether you’re looking to improve your public speaking abilities or elevate your presence in tech discussions, mentorship can provide the guidance you need.

If you're ready to build your communication skills, refine your public speaking, and grow in your tech career, let's work together to help you reach your goals!

Check out my talk at Do-iOS Amsterdam stage—and let’s prepare you for the stage!

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