Public Speaking for Introverts

The introvert’s dilemma

Does it sometimes seem to you that the ideal way to be in the world is to be an extrovert who is outgoing, talkative, and comfortable in the spotlight? If that’s the case, and you’re an introvert who is not comfortable in the spotlight, you may feel like you’re not living up to your potential, especially when it comes to public speaking.

Every introvert has something valuable to say, but their fear of speaking in public can keep them silent. Brilliant introverts don’t speak up in meetings, skip networking events, and even refuse speaking opportunities that could further their careers. They do this not because of a lack of knowledge or experience, but because public speaking is too intimidating.

The fact is, introverts have great strengths as public speakers but they may not realize what those strengths are.

Curious about your hidden strengths as a public speaker? I created a quick self-assessment for introverts to discover where your public speaking strengths already shine and where you might need some support.

Try the self-assessment. It only takes a few minutes.

Are you an introvert?

First, let’s set some definitions about introverts and extroverts. You may have heard that extroverts are all about action, while introverts are about contemplation. A typical extrovert is recharged by being around people, while an introvert recharges by spending time alone.

But in practice, among real people, the division is not all that clear. Introverts often have strong social skills and can enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while, they wish they were home in their pajamas. They listen more than they talk. They think before they speak. They tend to be “planners” and not improvisers. These are some of the qualities that make introverts excellent as speakers, but they don’t know how to leverage their hidden or unrealized skills.

It may surprise you to know that there are more introverts in the world than you think. Depending on what study you consult, one third to one half of all Americans are introverts. So if you’re an introvert considering a speaking opportunity, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in excellent company.

What is the value of public speaking?

In our digital age of Zoom meetings and hours spent in front of screens, connecting in person is special. Speaking in public is powerful, whether you participate in a panel at a conference, lead a lunch-and-learn talk or workshop, or present a keynote at a trade association meeting. Public speaking remains one of the best ways to get your ideas in front of other people, whether you’re seeking paid speaking opportunities, or if you simply want to develop more business or spread the word about a movement that matters to you.

Understanding your nature

If you consider yourself an introvert, now is the time to stop thinking about introversion as a limitation and consider that being introverted means that you have a unique way of processing the world. That means that being an introvert comes with its own strengths. Let’s explore how you can leverage those strengths to speak in public and do well.

The introvert’s speaking strategy: start with the truth

I gave a keynote recently to a trade association, and I started by speaking these words. “I’m an introvert. But I’ve worked with my shyness, and I can speak in front of you today because I recognize the value of speaking in public. It’s a great way to get your ideas across.”

I started by speaking the truth about myself. A powerful way to begin your talk is to say that you’re an introvert and acknowledge some of the personal obstacles that might have stood in your way to speaking in public. This builds connection, sets your audience’s expectations about you, establishes credibility, and creates an instant bridge between you and your listeners. Given my experiences speaking in public, however, I’ve learned that it’s not enough to “just share a little something” about yourself.

The power of story for introverts

The story you share has to have meaning for your audience. They need to see themselves in it, grab a key takeaway from it, or understand why it connects them to you. The story may speak to a social movement or deeper purpose.

That may sound like a lot of work for a story to do, but stick with me. As an introvert, your tendency toward reflection will help you find meaningful themes in your storytelling. Since you like to prepare, instead of “winging it,” you will dig into any story you choose to be sure that it is the right story and serves your purpose in the talk.

Would you like some specifics? Here are some of the ingredients of a successful story, as you’d use it in a talk or to introduce yourself on a panel.

The 2-minute story structure

To make your story work well in a keynote, TEDx talk, or almost any public forum, consider these tips:

Use the concept of a story arc. A story arc is the emotional pathway that your audience uses as they follow along with the story. Any successful story has a story arc with a set-up and a pay off. Some examples of a set-up/payoff structure would be to start your story with “our company started small” and end it with “now we’re a global corporation.” Those statements imply an emotional journey.

To help your listeners connect with the story arc, it’s always a great idea to begin your story with a bold statement. A good example of a bold statement is, “I’m an introvert, and I used to be terrified of public speaking.”

Find your purpose. Do you get butterflies in your gut when it’s your turn to speak or just before you deliver a talk? Here’s the antidote to that: Consider your WHY. Your WHY is the deep reason that you want to give a talk or join a panel discussion. Your WHY is the purpose that drives you and connects you with meaning in your work. In the storytelling masterclasses that I teach, called the Storyline Sessions, we do writing exercises and group workshops to help you find your WHY.

For now, one way to discover your WHY is to think about themes that drive your talk. Consider how your talk might:

◦ Connect with a social movement
◦ Connect with something larger than yourself
◦ Connect with your listener’s needs, not just what you want

Those tips are just the beginning of learning how to leverage your introvert strengths to become a better speaker. To go deeper, try the self-assessment that I created.

In only a few minutes, the self-assessment will show you where small shifts could make a big difference, helping you see where your natural introvert strengths can actually work FOR you in public speaking. Try it now.

This is the first article from Lee Schneider about Public Speaking for Introverts. Like what you’ve read? Here’s part two about practical tips for introverted speakers.