We are all on the ultimate search to get to know ourselves. Along the way, we have resources to help up identity qualities and personality traits that match our unique self. Personality tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Predictive Index can help us gather a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. That’s why we created our own personality test that means public speaking self-awareness called Badge. Presenters should be more self-aware since they spend their days in front of others. While many people may think they understand self-awareness, one writer discovered the contrary.
Organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich wrote the best-selling book Insight: Why We’re Not as Self-Aware as We Think, and How Seeing Ourselves Clearly Helps Us Succeed at Work and in Life
For their research, Eurich and her team spoke with people who improved their self-awareness. These are the traits she found in them.
“Self-aware people understand their values.”
Eurich says these people understand what’s important to them and their principles to live by. For presenters, this also needs to ring true. Audiences are more likely to believe an authentic presenter than one who does not truly believe in their message.
Self-aware people “understand their passions.”
Showing a passion for what you do is a sign of high self-awareness. The same goes for public speaking professionals. It takes a lot of confidence to reveal yourself and your passions to strangers. Those who make a career out of it possess this passion for their endeavor.
Self-aware people “understand their aspirations.”
Part of self-awareness is knowing what you want out of life. Establishing long-term goals are not only beneficial to your life, but they are beneficial to your message. With aspiration, you can commit to making your message consistent to months and years. This consistency will build trust between you and your audience.
Self-aware people are “fit.”
What Eurich means by this is, “Fit is the environment that you thrive in. What are the types of environmental factors that help us sustain our energy?” For public speaking, this can be discovered with our Badge assessment. Do you perform better in an arena or a board room? Do big crowds excite you or exhaust you? These personal preferences play a role in how you perform. Find the best environment to give your presentation to have a stronger impression.
Self-aware people understand “reactions.”
“Basically that means understanding our momentary reactions, and strengths and weaknesses within those,” says Eurich. Public speaking professionals need to understand their audience’s signals. If you are not happy with your audience’s reaction to your work, analyze those emotions. Most importantly, get feedback! Your audience can provide important insights on how to improve your presentation.
Self-aware people understand “the impact we have on others.”
Obviously, we all have an impact on others. At work or home or in the community, our actions impact people’s lives in many ways. For presenters, the main goal is to leave a big impact that inspires an action. That’s why the closing of your presentation should always be an actionable phrase. What’s the one thing you want your audience to do? Center your presentation around that, and ask for it at the end.
Eurich provides these knowledgeable items and more in her book. Start practicing to achieve higher self-awareness that will make every presentation a success. If you want to discover your unique presentation persona, take our Badge assessment and unlock the skills you need to succeed in public speaking.
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