Benjamin R. answered • 04/16/19
Former Top Ranked National Debater with Extensive Teaching Experience
Confidence and Vulnerability. Confidence is not just "believing in yourself." You have to be confident in your speech, results, or idea, no matter if it is high school class presentation or a paper presentation at the graduate level.
In a variety of public speaking forums, being vulnerable and open is the key to success. Vulnerability has two key parts. The first is relating your speech to yourself and your experiences, or the experiences of a group you belong to. For example, when giving a presentation on the successful trials of new drug, you can talk about a friend/family member who suffered from the illness your drug is trying to treat. The second never being afraid to not have all the answers. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" or my "my research wasn't able to show x."
