Finding Your Voice: Why Great Public Speaking Starts with Great Storytelling
By Anmol Harjani
“The biggest mistake communicators make isn’t being nervous. It’s forgetting that communication is about connection—not perfection.”
Whether you’re introducing yourself at a networking event, presenting campaign results to senior leadership, pitching a story to the media, or speaking on a conference panel, chances are you’ve experienced that familiar rush of nerves. Your heart races, your thoughts seem to scatter, and suddenly every word feels more important than it did just moments before.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Even experienced communications professionals admit they still feel nervous before speaking publicly. The difference isn’t that they’ve eliminated fear—it’s that they’ve learned how to channel it into something meaningful.
At its core, public speaking isn’t about delivering a flawless presentation. It’s about helping people understand, remember and connect with your message.
Every Communicator Is a Storyteller
When people hear the word “storytelling,” they often picture keynote speakers or TED Talks. In reality, storytelling happens every day in communications.
It’s the media pitch that helps a journalist see why a story matters.
It’s the internal announcement that reassures employees during organizational change.
It’s the campaign that transforms statistics into human experiences.
It’s the conversation that helps a client feel heard rather than simply informed.
Stories give information meaning. They help audiences remember not just what was said, but why it mattered.
Before preparing your next presentation, ask yourself one question:
What do I want people to remember after they leave the room?
That answer should shape everything else.
Confidence Isn’t Something You’re Born With
One of the biggest myths about public speaking is that confident speakers are naturally gifted.
In reality, confidence is built through preparation, repetition and experience.
The communicators who appear the most comfortable are often the ones who have spent the most time refining their message. They understand their audience, anticipate questions and focus less on sounding impressive and more on being helpful.
Confidence grows every time you speak up in a meeting, volunteer to present, ask a thoughtful question at an event or share an idea that matters.
It’s built one conversation at a time.
Shift the Focus From Yourself to Your Audience
When we’re nervous, it’s easy to become consumed by our own performance.
Am I speaking too quickly?
Did I lose my place?
What if I forget something?
Instead, try shifting your focus.
Ask yourself:
● What does my audience need to know?
● What challenge are they trying to solve?
● How can I make this information easier to understand?
● What action do I want them to take?
This simple change in perspective transforms speaking from a performance into a service.
And that’s where communicators do their best work.
Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Speaking Skills
Like any professional skill, public speaking improves with practice.
A few habits can make a meaningful difference:
● Begin with a clear message before building your slides.
● Replace jargon with language your audience naturally understands.
● Pause instead of rushing through important ideas.
● Practice aloud rather than reading silently.
● Invite questions—they’re a sign your audience is engaged, not a sign you’ve failed.
Most importantly, remember that authenticity is more memorable than perfection.
People rarely remember every statistic or every slide.
They remember how you made them feel.
Communication Is a Skill That Keeps Evolving
Whether you’re a student preparing for your first presentation, a volunteer leading a committee meeting, or a senior communications leader addressing hundreds of attendees, there is always room to grow.
Every presentation is an opportunity to learn something new about your audience, your message and yourself.
The best communicators aren’t the loudest voices in the room.
They’re the ones who create understanding, inspire confidence and leave people thinking differently than they did before.
As communications professionals, that’s the impact we strive to make every day.
Reflection Question
What’s one public speaking lesson you’ve learned that changed the way you communicate?
Share your experience with the CPRS Toronto community. Your insight could help someone else find the confidence to use their voice.
Anmol Harjani is a Client Servicing Manager working with a remote company and a recent graduate of York University’s Public Relations and Communications program. She is especially interested in strategic communications, social media behaviour, and how PR practitioners adapt within a rapidly evolving digital landscape. She currently serves as the Communications Co-Chair on the CPRS Toronto Board.