Blog Layout
Speaking With Confidence
India White • Aug 13, 2021
Everyone is afraid of something. Some people are stricken with fear upon sight of a spider. Others can’t stand the sight of party clowns. And others still, quite ironically, are scared of being scared. But, with the vast array of fear and anxiety-inducing factors out there in the world, there are few as prevalent and as pervasive as glossophobia, the fear of public speaking. At just the mere thought of speaking in public, glossophobes can experience intense dizziness, nausea, increases in heartbeat, hyperventilation, muscle tension, sweating, and trembling. Granted, glossophobia is not the most common phobia in the world nor is it the most pressing or surprising out there. However, speaking in public, even if you’re not a glossophobe, is nerve-inducing work.
This makes sense because humans are naturally social creatures. As such, we crave the acceptance of our peers. Being seen as credible or intelligent is almost a guaranteed track to status within a community. This is typically why people are so scared of public speaking; they falsely believe that if they fail in front of an audience, they will lose status and eventually, become ostracized. But, in no way is this true. Fears and anxieties cause people to overestimate the stakes of their speaking, making them believe it will heavily impact their status/credibility, feeding back into the fear. It’s a vicious cycle, but one you can break out of.
First things first, public speaking is not a special skill! And your audience is not judging how good your speaking capabilities are. I repeat, your audience is not trying to pick out the most miniscule things to call you out on. That’s ridiculous! When you listen to other people speaking, are you trying to pinpoint “Oh, they made a grammatical mistake there” or “hmm, I think that was a stutter too many, I’m gonna have to dock points from their score?” Are you even keeping a score? No! You’re just trying to hear their ideas. Granted, the more engaging the speaker and the fewer blatant mistakes they make, the easier it is to accept those ideas. But that’s the key: blatant mistakes. No one is going to sweat you for the small stuff like a stutter here and there. And even still, the mistakes you find blatant while talking are probably barely noticeable to the audience. In psychology, there’s something called the Spotlight Effect: a phenomenon in which people tend to believe they are being noticed more than they really are. Especially when you’re speaking publicly, you will unconsciously over exaggerate how much your audience is noticing your small mistakes. Just remember that all public speaking really is, is conveying your ideas to another person. It doesn’T necessarily matter if there are 5 or 500 people in front of you, treat your audience as though you were talking to them individually. Mitigate the stress you place on yourself to perform drastically differently than if you were simply just talking to your friend.
Of course, this is easier said than done, but there are some strategies to help you speak with confidence. First, and most importantly, review your material until you truly know it. That doesn’t mean memorizing it, as that typically leads to errors if you get distracted or lose your place. A note: be sure to master your introduction. This is usually where most people mess up. If you’ve ever noticed, once you start off flawlessly, your nerves naturally calm down as you get further and further into your speech. Remember, you know your stuff, just get it out there to the audience. Practice and practice, practice makes perfect but it also makes you more confident.
Second, try videotaping yourself speaking, that way you will better understand what your audience sees and hears. Make adjustments to your posture, phrases, facial expressions, hand gestures, etc as needed from the recording. Then record it again and again until you’re satisfied.
Finally, be prepared for questions, after and during your presentation . You don’t want to perform a fantastic speech and then fumble with your words when answering the first question asked. Just jot down some questions you predict will be asked and think of answers beforehand. Remember, don’t memorize. If you know your stuff, you won’t have to. And even if you don’t know the answer, give’em a confident, “Great question! As of right now, I can’t give you an answer that I am satisfied with. May I reach out to you with an answer after this presentation, speech, birthday party, whatever?” That way, you can dodge making a fool out of yourself, whilst also not admitting full ignorance.
Remember, the key to giving a good presentation is just confidence. Even if your content is slightly lacking, if you convey it in a confident manner, people will believe you know what you’re talking about. Just remember: practice, practice, practice. And don’t be so hard on yourself. You know your stuff and, most importantly, you know you. You got this!
‼️So grateful for the opportunity to hear testimonials and reviews from a few rockstar educators about their takeaways and experiences from my Equitable math 🧮 practices session at MCTM in Minnesota this weekend🤩! It's inspiring to hear teachers who provide feedback and work to close the achievement gap. 🥰Let's continue learning from each other and making a difference in the lives of our students! #teacherappreciation #education #equitablemath #achievementgap #drindiawhite #teachers #tedx #equity Check out the session highlights here:
‼️Listen as a gritty Middle Eastern teacher explains how attending my Equity Keynote at the Math conference, helped her connect her experience as a BIPOC educator with her perspective on how to implement equitable practices for all students and relate to students of different cultures! #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #dei #math #education #teachers #students #bipoc #savvas #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #habse #uf
I urge you to take a moment to listen to Dr. India White's enlightening TEDx talk, "The Power of Grit," where she delves into what drives grit in the lives of leaders, teachers, and students every day. In this captivating presentation, Dr. White offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of grit—the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. As educators and leaders, we play a pivotal role in instilling and nurturing grit among our students and colleagues. Dr. White's talk serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we cultivate grit within ourselves and those we influence. I encourage you to watch the TEDx talk for a deeper understanding of how grit can drive success in our classrooms, workplaces, and lives.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Alumni Gainesville reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Young Alumni reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
Join us on the Grit and Equity Talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we will discuss spaced vs. mass practice for teachers! Visit www.india-white.com for more information #drindiawhite #grit #equity
🥳As the opening keynote at the WMC Annual conference, I had the opportunity to discuss equitable math practices with teachers. I am grateful to have gifted 30 copies of the Equity Counts book collaboration after my session! 🤩Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for making this happen🥰. The best is yet to come for Wisconsin teachers and students! #EquitableMath #Education #EquityCounts #savvas #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #WisconsinTeachers #StudentSuccess #wismath24 #nctm #ncsm… See more — at On Green Lake in Wisconsin.
Hanging out wit the tribe! I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at @WisMathCouncil 🤩 We applied the concept of grit in their classroom! Thanks to @SavvasLearning!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
This morning, I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at WMC's Annual Math Conference. 🤩The conference was a great success, with attendees discussing the importance of grit in both teachers and students. I’m excited to see Wisconsin teachers apply the concept of grit in their classrooms and help their students develop this crucial! Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for the support and encouragement!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
‼️Attention all Wisconsin teachers! Are you ready to enhance your teaching skills and help your students develop their grit😃? If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase my Grit Workbook at a discounted price! 🤗I have 50 copies available at WMC, so come and grab your copy this week🤩! #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers