Why Avoiding Public Speaking Is Sabotaging Your Career (And What You Can Do About It) Three reasons to start using more verbal communication and presentations to get ahead in your career.

By Anna Al Qasimi-Roberts

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

Almost all of employers are looking for employees who have excellent communication skills. But this goes way beyond just the interview to get hired, by the way- it means you need to show that you are capable of communicating in writing as well as orally. However, with all of our professional communication relying on emails and memorandums, and with one barely using the telephone or presentations in some industries these days, this is essentially a skill that is starting to go by the wayside.

I've created incredible change in the businesses I've worked with through Nudge, by allowing staff to use verbal communication skills to bond closer and create a lasting impact with their clients. Here, I share my three reasons you need to start considering using more verbal communication and presentations to get ahead in your career.

1. It's your USP
Communication is a skill that anyone can learn at any point in their career, but most people don't because they are afraid of public speaking. Standing out can only but help your career. Communicating your ideas to your peers and managers means you have their ear. It also is a good way to demonstrate your knowledge. If you don't speak up, people won't know what value you have to share with them, and they won't know what you can offer to the team. Keep your point short and clear if you have an opportunity to sit at the board room table, or share your ideas in a meeting. Using abstract terms and rambling will only confuse people, and they won't want to hear from you again.

2. It develops your confidence
Understanding that you have skills, knowledge, and experience to share with a group is empowering. Knowing that you can effectively do this and see results means it's win-win for everyone. People automatically want to be around people they see as confident, so that's beneficial for your clients and those you are pitching to. Remember, you always want to engage and speak to your audience, not at them. People don't remember what you say, but they remember how you made them feel, so ensure that you create emotional links, and don't belittle them, but respect them and their knowledge.

3. To be considered for a leadership position, you need to communicate effectively
Effective communication creates trust in a team and with clients. If you can't clearly and articulately lead or sell, you can't do your job. Understanding your audience, sharing your ideas effectively, giving them a call to action and creating strong emotional connections means that you can use effectively you can influence and charm others to get the work done, or a sales deal sealed right there on. Remember, in presentations, it's not just the words you use but how you deliver them and what body language you use. Rehearse with a smartphone camera and record your presentations to be able to critique yourself before the big day.

Related: Making Your Speech Work For You

Anna Al Qasimi-Roberts

Founder, Achievher and Soma Edge Consulting

Anna Al Qasimi-Roberts is an entrepreneur and certified Somatic CBT coach. She is the co-founder of Achievher and Soma Edge Consulting, specializing in helping leaders and teams harness somatic practices and nervous system regulation to cultivate resilience and authentic leadership.

Anna is passionate about empowering businesses to foster healthier, more connected workplace environments from the inside out.

Anna has completed post graduate studies at Said Business School, Oxford and SOAS.

Side Hustle

This Couple Started a Side Hustle to Improve a 'Terribly Made' Bathroom Essential. Now the Business Earns More Than $3 Million a Year.

Michael Fine and Lisa Schulner-Fine launched lifestyle brand Quiet Town in 2016 and have been growing it ever since.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Operations & Logistics

How to Avoid These Common Communication Blunders in the Workplace

Lots of executives and managers complain that their organization is terrible at communication.

Starting a Business

Entrepreneur Middle East's Achieving Women 2023: Kate Wooyeon Park, Founder, Lamise Beauty

Park realized that there was an opportunity to bring Korean skincare to the UAE in a way that blends perfectly with Emirati culture, and it's a notion that she has stuck to as she set up and built Lamise Beauty.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.