Discover Your Public Speaking Style: Types and Insights

What type of public speaker or presenter are you really?

Do you know?

Understanding your public speaking style requires insight into your personality, thought processes, beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers. A skilled public speaker possesses a keen awareness of what makes others tick as well.

The Challenge of Self-Discovery

There are many different styles of presenting. Each of us should strive for a high level of self-awareness regarding our public speaking style. Once we identify our unique approach, we can learn to adapt and modify it as needed while still retaining our authenticity.

Various online assessments can illuminate your personal style, with categories such as:

• Coach
• Storyteller
• Lecturer
• Inventor
• Database
• Counsellor
• Coordinator
• Entertainer

Four Key Presenting Styles

Let’s focus on four key styles to help you gain insights into your own approach:

1. The Commander:

– Strong-willed and assertive

– Takes authority and clarifies who’s in charge

– Often adopts a fast-paced delivery

Commanders can be powerful speakers due to their unwavering self-belief and knowledge. If you resonate with this style, consider:

– Paying attention to your tone, pitch, and pace.

– Projecting a more relaxed image when appropriate.

– Adding colour and drama to your delivery.

– Incorporating storytelling to engage your audience.

2. The Analyst:

– Serious and detail-oriented

– Favours facts, statistics, and data

– Structured and organized in their presentations

Analysts make great presenters, often relying on dependable information. If this style suits you, think about:

– Using visuals sparingly to enhance key points.

– Guiding your audience on a journey rather than overwhelming them with data.

– Sharing your feelings to foster connection.

3. The Facilitator:

– Warm, accepting, and patient

– Adapts to audience needs, building rapport

Facilitators excel in creating connections, but if this resonates with you, consider:

– Getting to the point more quickly.

– Taking risks in your delivery.

– Stepping outside your comfort zone for greater impact.

4. The Motivator:

– Energising and stimulating to be around

– Passionate and enthusiastic in presentations

Motivators have a unique ability to engage and inspire, but if this describes you, keep in mind:

– Developing an objective mindset for balance.

– Spending time on the details while maintaining focus.

– Staying grounded in key points.

The Truth About Titles

While it’s tempting to categorise presenters into boxes, understanding your style can help you improve your delivery. Knowing how your style impacts your audience is vitally important.

Remember, if you read this and think, “I’m none of the above,” that’s okay! Reflect on your unique public speaking traits and consider how they influence your presentations.

As Epictetus wisely said, “Practice yourself in little things, and thence proceed to greater.”

If you’d like to learn a little more about your presentation style, take our free ‘Style Review’.

If you’d like to learn more about what type of public speaker you are:

– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.

– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.

– Get yourself some excellent presentation training

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