This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication" by John C. Maxwell. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.
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Do you feel like you’ve run out of topics to talk about? Do you actively look for inspiration and ideas?
Communication skills never go out of style. They’re an asset throughout your life and career. John C. Maxwell urges you to grow in your speaking abilities throughout your lifetime, and he provides a couple of practical tips to do this.
Continue reading to learn how to develop speaking skills with recommendations from one of the best.
How to Develop Speaking Skills
Many of us assume that good communicators simply have a natural gift. Maxwell argues, however, that this isn’t true: Speaking well in front of an audience requires dedicated practice, and you must treat it as a lifelong learning endeavor. Effective speakers know that there are always better ways to connect with their audiences and deliver more engaging messages.
(Shortform note: In Grit, Angela Duckworth advises you to hone a skill like communication through deliberate practice. This process requires you to set a stretch goal—one specific, challenging aspect of your main goal to focus on improving—and to give that goal your full attention. For example, your goal might be to give a presentation without using filler words. As you pursue that goal, ask for and reflect on feedback until you’ve reached your goal. Then, set a new stretch goal. This form of practice is goal-oriented and challenges you to go beyond your current skill levels, unlike undirected learning.)
Maxwell offers two tips on how to develop speaking skills throughout your life.
1. Learn from others. Good communication takes time and experience. By watching other speakers, you can learn from their experiences and gain new ideas more quickly than if you practice your speaking skills through trial and error alone. Make use of a variety of resources—attend a TED Talk, watch YouTube videos, or read transcripts of historical speeches, for instance.
(Shortform note: Make sure that learning from other speakers doesn’t turn into an excuse to stay inside your comfort zone. In Ultralearning, Scott Young argues that the best way to strengthen a skill is by practicing that skill in similar situations in which you plan on using it. To take it one step further, you could even try practicing your skill in a high-stakes environment. The added pressure helps you absorb what you’ve learned on a deeper level. For example, if you’re training to be a teacher, you can improve your lecturing abilities by making guest presentations in front of real classes.)
2. Grow your knowledge. Maxwell suggests you continually research new topics and try new experiences to gain fresh perspectives and ideas that you can speak about. Collect quotes, stories, facts, and other information that resonate with you in your daily life. This ensures you have a well of good content that you can draw upon when needed.
(Shortform note: In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert proposes a mindset that may help you grow your knowledge: View every occurrence in your life (such as coincidences, dreams, or interesting things you hear people say) as a clue left by “big magic”—the creative energy of the world. If you view your world as full of creative clues, you’ll naturally be inspired by more facts, quotes, or stories and find it easier to grow your knowledge. For instance, you might see a billboard with a message that inspires you for an upcoming presentation.)
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Here's what you'll find in our full The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication summary:
- The secrets to becoming a confident and effective communicator
- How anyone can master public speaking, no matter how nervous they get
- How to write a clear and engaging speech
