Getting Ready to Speak Up

Did you know that public speaking is rated the number one fear in America? In poll after poll, more people fear public speaking than getting a root canal—or even dying! But speaking effectively to groups of people is an essential skill for anyone hoping to advance his or her career. With the growing need for performing artists who can communicate verbally with diverse audiences, it is now vital that they overcome these innate fears and begin speaking frequently and effectively.

This year, Juilliard launches its first public speaking club, called Speaking Up. The purpose is to give anyone in the Juilliard community (students, faculty, and staff) a weekly opportunity to work on their speaking skills. Public speaking is a learnable skill. Through consistent practice, you can overcome your fear and learn to speak confidently and effectively in front of any audience—whether it's a pre-concert lecture, a eulogy at a funeral, or a testimony in front of a congressional committee for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Speaking Up offers participants an opportunity to speak to fellow club members at their convenience. (Guests and casual observers are always welcome, too.) When participants feel ready to give a presentation, they simply need to contact the club chairman and arrange a date. There are no expectations of the speakers, other than following the club's weekly agenda and protocol.

I realized that avoiding opportunities to speak publicly was costing me professionally.

New members receive a packet outlining the speeches they will need to give in order to earn the club's official competency rating for "Advocate for the Arts." The material outlines the objectives for each speech (the topics of which are left to the speaker's discretion). The entire program is designed to help speakers become accustomed to speaking frequently.

There are two levels to the speech program, taking participants from basic competency to mastery. The first level is called "Advocate for the Arts" and develops basic skills such as speech organization, vocal variety, gestures, eye contact, conviction, and persuasion. To earn an "Advocate for the Arts" competency award, members must give a total of seven speeches with the required objectives. Participants who complete this level are invited to continue with additional speeches that will earn them the "Ambassador for the Arts" achievement award. En route, advanced speakers will be called upon to serve as speech evaluators. The advanced speeches are more challenging, and the focus is on the content of the speech and the effectiveness of the speaker to address multifarious topics in the arts.

An additional highlight of Speaking Up will be an annual speech competition, to be held each spring. (Unlike the speech club, the competition will be open to students only.) Representatives from the faculty and administration will judge the competition. Students do not have to participate in the weekly club meeting in order to compete in the competition (although we encourage them to visit at least one meeting, in order to learn how speeches are evaluated).

I am personally excited to see this idea finally take shape at Juilliard. I was one of those many people who avoided speaking publicly, though I felt I was a competent speaker in certain contexts. It was only after joining a professional speaking organization that I realized two things. First, public speaking is a skill—and mastery of any skill takes practice. Speaking once a year at an annual conference simply doesn't give you the consistency needed to improve; regular practice in front of peers is far more effective.

Second, I realized that avoiding opportunities to speak publicly was costing me professionally. Recalling the times that I actually turned down invitations to speak (some of which were important engagements), I am painfully reminded of how this fear indirectly hindered my professional development—and I know that I'm not alone. My meetings with students, alumni, and other professionals have revealed that many are missing critical opportunities that could substantially improve their career prospects, either because they decline to speak, or speak ineffectively.

If you are like me, don't let that fear prevent you from realizing your dreams. Take advantage of Speaking Up to learn how to become an effective speaker. Get ready for your next opportunity—whether it's a job interview, or a lecture for an international conference. Take control of your destiny and join us on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the computer training lab (Room 241). Our first club meeting is scheduled for November 13. (This is an information meeting only.) Please call the Office of Career Development at ext. 7315 to let us know if you will be attending. Casual observers are welcome. I hope to see you there!

Derek Mithaug is Juilliard's director of career development and an alumnus of the School.