Session Overview
Public speaking is much like being the gazelle being watched by a group of hungry lions. Many women avoid it or dismiss it as a career out of an understandable fear of being eaten! We struggle with thoughts of sharing our knowledge and experiences in public forums because we think we’re not technical enough, or smart enough, or that our thoughts and experiences are not interesting enough.
Public speaking brings us great career benefits and helps us stand out as experts in a field where women remain underrepresented. In this session, we’ll work together to share our experiences and debunk the many fears we have about public speaking and the myths associated with presenter style, particularly within the tech industry. You will also have the opportunity to build your own plan and resource guide to improve your public speaking skills and build the courage to take to the stage to share the emerging technologies used in this radically changing world.
Women and minorities remain underrepresented in the speaker lineups for many of the tech conferences and meetups we attend as professionals. This lack of visible role models impacts the composition of the sector that we want to make equal. The ideas and experiences conveyed in these conferences also impact the future technologies we build in this ever-changing world. Voicing the experiences and knowledge of underrepresented groups increases the diversity of thought in building inclusive technology that represents and supports everyone in society.
Session Key Takeaways:
- Debunking the myths surrounding public speaking, including that it is a character attribute you naturally have rather than a practised skill that you too can learn, enjoy and benefit from in your career
- Personal techniques to handle the fear of speaking
- Construction of your own resources and plan to build on your public speaking skills
This session is for you if…you are anxious or fearful when undertaking public speaking today, or believes that public speaking is not relevant or beneficial to their current career path.