Here's how you can boost your communication skills through internships in public speaking.

From my perspective, the only way to become a great orator is to do the work—speaking. Our Confident Orator program is designed with this mindset, ensuring that each session is a speaking session. I believe this provides one of the best internships an individual can have. During my own "internship," I have marveled at speeches from some of the world's greatest speakers, attended conferences, and even volunteered to introduce expert speakers. I have used opportunities as a corporate master of ceremonies and panel moderator to build my public speaking skills. ---

Toastmasters gave me a complete package for becoming a confident and competent speaker. Their programs emphasize the value of mentorship and feedback. Before I took a sabbatical, I had more than two mentors from different countries helping me become a great speaker—first in crafting thought-provoking speeches, and second in delivering value through voice modulation, body language, stage use, simplicity of language, audibility, strategic pauses, use of technology, props, and visualization. The feedback, using the sandwich method of "kiss, kick, kiss," has always been powerful in empowering speakers to become proficient.

Knowing the art of psycho-drama is effectively act out how people react to different events when they encounter different situations

Ken Blanchard said, “Feedback is breakfast for champions.” It is important for great speakers to value feedback by not only seeking it but also giving it. The sandwich method of "kiss, kick, kiss" has always been powerful in empowering speakers to become proficient.

We are our own biggest critic. Learning to listen to your harsh inner critic with its negative messages is a start. Then, write them down. Then either tear them up or burn them. Reaolve to replace the ‘I cannot so it’ with ‘I have not done this before but I will give it a try’. Then, after you have done your Public Speaking: Praise yourself ‘Well done, that was not easy’. I treat myself. I stop myself ‘beating myself up’ if I forgot to say something, and encourage myself instead by saying ‘Next time I can do that’. Practice makes Perfect.

Learning how your voice actually works and how to use yours to its full potential boosts confidence and helps you develop authenticity in your sound and message. The voice is the most advanced musical instrument. It's is deeply personal and cultural, but it's also probably the most powerful sound making tool there is. It has the ability to change from percussive to smooth to full of melody on the spot. Great public speakers know how to play their instrument.

One’s public speaking skills are directly proportional to their speaking experience and exposure. The more you speak, receive feedback, incorporate the feedback, and continue speaking to diverse audiences, the better you become. We cannot dream ourselves into competent speakers; we must intentionally forge ourselves into one through speaking.

Do the work that’s the best way to become. Give and receive feedback. Learn to speak extemporaneously through impromptu conversations. Great speakers not have content but also context. Read and contextualise.