The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) was founded over 90 years ago to help students develop their communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
Today, the NSDA offers a variety of resources to help middle and high school students succeed in speech and debate, including competitions, training, and scholarships.
Let’s take a closer look at the National Speech & Debate Association.
About the NSDA
The NSDA has evolved over the years, but its mission remains the same.
NSDA’s Mission, Vision, & Values
The National Speech & Debate Association’s mission is to “connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.”
Their vision is for every school to have speech and debate initiatives that develop students’ skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
The NSDA upholds core values of equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.
NSDA’s History
The National Speech & Debate Association has a rich history rooted in the efforts of its founder, Bruno Ernst Jacob. Born in Wisconsin in 1899, Jacob was a social studies teacher and debate coach at Chippewa Falls High School. But, during his college years, Jacob’s passion for speech and debate education took shape. He compiled a widely circulated handbook called “Suggestions for the Debater,” which indirectly led to the establishment of the National Forensic League in 1925.
The organization reached 100,000 members by the end of 1956 and 300,000 in 1969. In 1975, the League moved away from the Ripon College campus and got its own building.
Starting in 1995, the League extended its membership to middle school students. And, in 2000, its membership reached one million. In 2004, the organization held its first international competitions, with students from eight countries participating.
The organization changed its name from the National Forensic League to the National Speech & Debate Association in 2014.
NSDA Membership
NSDA membership is through schools. Students and/or faculty at a middle or high school can set up an NSDA team that students can join. School membership is renewable annually for $149 (high school) or $75 (middle school). A school can choose to purchase NSDA’s resource package subscription for $199 annually.
Some schools and programs are eligible for membership grants.
NSDA provides resources, training, and competitions for various skill levels. Of course, participating students sharpen their communication and debate skills. And, they can earn recognition from the National Speech & Debate Association’s Honor Society and engage in community service activities.
Student membership costs $20 for high school students and $10 for middle school students. This is a one-time enrollment fee for the entirety of their schooling.
Coaches
Each NSDA team has a coach or a group of coaches. They manage the team and train its members. Anyone can be a coach; you don’t have to be a school staff member or a trained and experienced debate and speech coach. NSDA has resources to get new coaches up to speed.
The NSDA offers free, online practices for nonmembers. Learn about their Springboard Scrimmages.
NSDA Resources
NSDA provides resources for debate coaching, speech coaching, self-guided learning for students, and team management. Some resources are free, some are available only to members, and some are available only to resource package subscribers.
NSDA organizes a variety of competitive events for speech and debate.
Speech competitions include the interpretive events of Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Poetry, Storytelling, and more. They also include public address events such as Impromptu, Informative Speaking, and Original Oratory.
NSDA’s debate events include Big Questions, Congressional Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Policy Debate.
The National Speech & Debate Association’s Honor Society recognizes middle school and high school students and coaches for their participation in speech and debate activities. Members of the Honor Society are held to the highest standards of character, integrity, and service—reflecting the core values of the organization.
Honor Society members earn merit points when they compete, serve, and lead in their school and community. Those points add up and translate to degrees. For example, 250 points earn a member the Distinction degree. The top is Premier Distinction, which requires a minimum of 1,500 merit points. Coaches, too, can earn Honor Society degrees.
Honor Society membership motivates and acknowledges students’ efforts, and it helps them rise to the top in college admissions.
Professional Development Program
The National Speech & Debate Association offers free on-demand professional development courses for member coaches.
They provide professional accreditation programs for speech and debate coaches, with different levels and specialization tracks. The first level is the Speech and Debate Coaching Endorsement, which requires completion of specific courses and a fee.
Coaches can choose to continue with the Coaching Track or the Teaching Track for further endorsements. The Coaching Track recognizes the skills required for coaching programs beyond the school day. The Teaching Track recognizes the unique skills required for teaching speech and debate in the classroom setting. Each track has additional levels of endorsement with specific requirements.
The National Speech & Debate Association also offers a conference video archive with videos from past National Conferences.
Wrapping Up
If you’re a middle or high school student who wants to develop valuable communication skills, the National Speech & Debate Association could be an excellent option for you. NSDA membership is a great way to enhance your education and set yourself up for career success.
If you’re someone who loves to foster young people’s growth and achievement, NSDA coaching might be a good opportunity for you to get involved in your community and help shape the future.
A new job is exciting. It’s a chance for you to start on the right foot and prove they’ve hired the right person. So, we’ve put together some tips on how to make the most of your first 90 days at a new job.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Have a good attitude.
Understand, set, and manage your expectations.
Learn about the company and your role.
Meet people.
Get organized.
Take initiative.
Set goals.
Deliver results.
Be a team player.
Be adaptable and patient.
Be yourself while committing to growth. (Hint: This just might be the most important tip!)
Now, let’s dive into the details.
Tip #1: Have a Good Attitude
Show your team and manager that you’re excited about the new job. This will help you create a positive impression and make a good start. Here are some practical ways to enjoy and express a good attitude at work:
Be on time. Punctuality puts positivity on display. It shows you’re excited to be there and get started.
Be open to feedback. Be willing to listen to feedback from your manager and team members. This will help you improve your performance and learn from your mistakes.
Be helpful. Be willing to help out your team members and be supportive of their efforts. This will show that you’re a team player and that you’re committed to the company’s success.
Weather the challenges. Things don’t always go according to plan, but it’s important to stay positive and keep a good attitude. This will help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals. It will also help your coworkers and manager see that you’re reliable.
Your managers and teammates have certain expectations of you. You have expectations of your own. Let’s look at each.
Set & Manage Your Expectations
While you want to go into a new job with positivity—and it’s natural to have high expectations—don’t set your expectations too high. Be realistic about how much you can achieve in the first 90 days at a new job and how much of a change the new job will make in your life. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment, and be ready to adjust your expectations as time goes on.
Be Clear About Others’ Expectations
Ask your manager what their expectations are for you in the first 90 days, and make sure you have clarity. Write them down, and refer to them throughout the 90 days. This will help you focus your efforts and make sure you’re on the right track.
Being clear about the expectations that others have for you is especially important if your job has a trial period, which is likely to be 90 days or within that timeframe. Trials include benchmarks and goals they want you to reach if they’re going to hire you permanently.
Tip #3: Learn About the Organization & Your Role
Take some time to read the organization’s website, annual report, employee handbook, and any other onboarding materials they give you. Get to know its history, mission, values, and products or services. Also, try to understand the culture, including the norms, expectations, and values. Be a keen observer especially during this first 90 days.
One of the best ways to learn about the organization is to talk with other employees, particularly others on your team or those who have (or had) the same role.
Tip #4: Meet People
Take the time to introduce yourself to your team members and other key stakeholders. Get to know their names, roles, and responsibilities. This will help you build relationships and get the support you need to succeed.
Depending on your job, you also might meet clients, suppliers, or partners in other companies. Remember that you’re a representative of your organization. So, show respect and be cooperative.
Tip #5: Get Organized
Get organized early on so that you can easily find the information you need. Make systems your friend. Systems—processes for doing things—are a key aspect of organizing as well as efficiency and consistency.
Your organization will have systems for things such as time tracking, onboarding, payroll, and sales follow-up. Familiarize yourself with the ones that are relevant to you. And, create and document systems for yourself that will help you stay organized. For example, keep emails in a “Pending” folder when the ball is in someone else’s court, and then check on them weekly and decide if you need to send reminders.
Organize your workspace, your digital world, and your time. Set up your workspace to fit your personality, and make it conducive to productivity. Organize folders and files on your computer and email. Create daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual schedules.
Getting and staying organized will help you save time, minimize stress, and get things done. So, make sure it’s a priority during your first 90 days at a new job.
Tip #6: Take Initiative
When you’re new on the job, your manager will give you plenty of assignments. But, it’s important that you also use this period to show that you have initiative. Don’t wait to be told what to do. Be proactive to learn new things and take on new challenges. This will show your manager and teammates that you’re eager to learn and contribute. It also will introduce you to more aspects of the organization and the job that can open up opportunities for you.
Tip #7: Set Goals
Work with your manager to set goals for your first 90 days. Here are some examples of goals you could set:
Learn the company’s products or services.
Meet your performance benchmarks.
Get to know your team members and manager—each one’s name, role, time with the organization, career goals, family relationships, and hobbies.
Take on one new project or responsibility.
Find a healthy balance between your work and your personal life and health.
Next, let’s look at some best practices for setting goals:
Set SMART goals. Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This will help you stay focused and track your progress.
Align your goals with the organization’s goals. This will show that you’re committed to its success and not just your own.
Be realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Don’t set your colleagues up for disappointment. As you set goals, keep in mind that you need to deliver on them, so keep them within a reachable range and don’t overpromise.
Break down your goals into smaller steps. Aim to achieve one at a time. This will make them seem less daunting and more manageable.
Set deadlines. This will help you stay on track.
Get accountability. Let your manager and perhaps others know about your goals, and ask them to hold you accountable by asking about your progress along the way. They also can celebrate with you when you achieve!
Track your progress. Track your progress so that you can see how you’re doing and make adjustments as needed.
Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to adjust your goals as needed.
Celebrate your successes. Don’t wait until the end. Do this along the way as you make progress to keep yourself motivated.
Tip #8: Deliver Results
Once you’ve set goals, do your best to deliver on them. This will show your manager that you’re dedicated and capable of meeting expectations. If you ever want to be promoted, show that you can do what’s asked of you if not more.
Let your ability to deliver be a guide for future goals. As time goes on, you’ll get a better handle on what you can manage, and you can adjust your goals accordingly.
Tip #9: Be a Team Player
During your first 90 days at a new job, be willing to help out your team members and be supportive of their efforts. This will show that you’re a team player and that you’re committed, not just to your own success, but also to the success of your organization and colleagues. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Support and root for your teammates. Compete with yourself, not others.
Tip #10: Be Adaptable & Patient
The first 90 days at a new job are, by definition, a time of newness and change. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to adapt and pivot. Not only will this help you succeed, it will show that you’re a valuable asset to the team who doesn’t get knocked out of commission when the boat gets rocked.
Keep in mind that your first 90 days are a time of transition. Don’t expect to hit on all cylinders at once. You are getting up to speed. You have several weeks to go from zero to 60. So, take time, be patient, and cut yourself some slack. Don’t get discouraged because you don’t know everything right away; no one expects you to. Just keep learning and growing, and you’ll get there.
Tip #11: Be Yourself While Committing to Growth
During your first 90 days at a new job, you’re getting to know your job and your colleagues, and they’re getting to know you. Make sure they’re getting to know the real you. Avoid the bait and switch. Don’t show initiative and deliver on your goals at first—only to lay back after you’re on the job for a while. Don’t act like a cooperative and cheerful team player at the beginning if that’s not the person you’re committed to being for the long haul.
It’s important to be yourself, but it’s also important to commit to personal and professional growth. You shouldn’t be someone you’re not, but you also shouldn’t be someone you don’t want to be. Find that sweet spot where you’re authentically you at the same time you’re authentically pushing and stretching toward an even better you.
Wrapping Up
At the end of your first 90 days, you should have a good understanding of your role, the company, and its culture. You also should have reached some of your goals and built positive relationships with your team and manager. Onward and upward from here!
Public speaking can be daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to share your ideas and connect with others. Before you deliver a speech (unless it’s an impromptu one), you’ll need to write it. Here’s how to write a speech in five simple steps:
Prepare to write.
Create an outline.
Write a first draft.
Practice your delivery.
Write a final draft.
Let’s take a look at each step in detail.
Step 1: Prepare to Write
Before you take pen to paper, do a bit of preparation. Depending on the situation, your very first task might vary. Perhaps a community club asked you to speak on any topic at an upcoming meeting. Or, you want to prepare a talk about your experience training sled dogs for the Iditarod, and you’ll figure out later where you’ll deliver it.
Regardless, people who know how to write a speech understand that two tasks should be done at the beginning of the speechwriting process: consider your audience, and determine your topic.
Consider Your Audience
Whom are you speaking to? What are their interests and needs? What do they already know about your topic? Tailor your speech to your audience so that you can connect with them and keep their attention.
Choose a Topic
Ideally, your topic is something that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about. If someone invited you to speak on a subject of their choosing, and it’s not something that fires you up, you might ask if you can speak about something else or politely decline. But, you can learn how to write a speech about something that’s new to you if you decide to take on that challenge. That’s where the next task comes in (even if you already know your topic to some degree).
Once you’re clear on what your topic is, learn what you need to know about it. The more you know about your topic, the more confident and authoritative you’ll sound. Gather information from a variety of credible sources, including books, articles, websites, and interviews. In the next step, you’ll organize what you collect and determine how to use it. Be sure to keep track of the sources you might need to cite.
Step 2: Create an Outline
Those who know how to write a speech effectively understand the importance of creating an outline near the beginning of the process. It’s critical for your talk to have a clear purpose—a singular message. What do you want your audience to do after hearing your speech? Do you want them to learn something new, change their opinion, or take action? Having a clear purpose—a singular message—will help you stay focused and organized in writing your speech.
An outline helps you organize your thoughts and create a structure for your speech. This is especially important if you’re writing a persuasive speech that’s essentially an argument. In order to convince your audience, your argument must flow logically.
An outline includes an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The body is your singular message, broken down into points and the support (evidence and examples) for those points. Basically, you’re organizing your points in a way that makes sense to your audience. Your structure helps them follow your ideas.
Here’s just one sample outline template:
Introduction
Point 1
Support 1
Support 2
Support 3
Point 2
Support 1
Support 2
Support 3
Support 4
Point 3
Support 1
Support 2
Conclusion
Step 3: Write a First Draft
Now you have an outline that will not only help your audience follow your speech, but it will help you write your first draft. The basic structure is introduction-body-conclusion. They say that, in a speech, you tell them what you’re going to tell them (introduction), you tell them (body), and then you tell them what you just told them (conclusion).
Here, we recommend that you write the body first and your introduction and conclusion last. But, you should experiment and see what process works best for you.
Speech Writing Tips
Here are some tips on how to write a speech in its first draft.
Drop an Anchor at Your Message
While you can make multiple points, tell several stories, and use various language devices, you’re still delivering a singular message. Write with that message—your clear purpose—in the forefront of your mind. Don’t drift away from it. Drop an anchor at it. Everything you write should support your singular message.
Be Yourself
This tip isn’t just for speech delivery. Personality comes across in the way is speech is written, as well. So, as you write, don’t try to be someone you’re not. Your audience will be able to tell if you’re being fake, and it will make your speech less effective.
Use Clear & Powerful Language
Choose words that are clear, concise, and persuasive. Avoid jargon and technical terms that your audience might not understand. Stay away from weak words such as “really,” “actually,” “kind of,” and “sort of.” Often, you subconsciously add words such as these when you deliver a speech (Yoodli’s free AI speech coach flags these for you), but be careful not to write them in the first place. A good rule of thumb is to use only words that add something.
Include Stories & Examples
These can help make your speech more interesting, understandable, and memorable. They also can help illustrate your points and make them more compelling. Sharing stories from your own life helps your audience connect with you. Learn about the art of storytelling.
Use Humor as Appropriate
Humor can make you and your message more relatable, engaging, and likeable. It can help you connect with your audience. Of course, humor isn’t appropriate in every speech, and some types of humor are more fitting than others. Consider the occasion and your audience, and don’t force it.
Use Rhetorical Devices and Figurative Language
Rhetorical devices and figurative language include similes, metaphors, alliteration, and repetition. These can make your speech more engaging. Yoodli’s Metaphor Mania game is a fun way to develop the skill of creating analogies.
Incorporate Visuals if They Add Value
As you write your speech, consider what visual aids (if any) you’ll use when you deliver your speech. Visual aids such as charts, graphs, images, and props can help engage your audience and make your speech more visually appealing, understandable, and memorable. If you use them, make sure they’re sharp and add value. Avoid using them to the extent that the audience’s attention is more on your visual aids than on you. Learn more about presenting with visual aids.
Write an Introduction
Once you’re clear on the body of your speech, write a strong introduction. It should grab the audience’s attention and make them want to listen to the rest of your speech. The above tip on using strong language is particularly important here, as weak and purposeless words will not strike people in a powerful way. Use the introduction to grab the audience’s attention and tell them what you’re going to tell them.
Write a Conclusion
Your conclusion should summarize your main points (tell the audience what you just told them) and leave a lasting impression. End with a call to action, telling your audience what you want them to do.
Step 4: Practice Your Delivery
You might be thinking, Hey, this is supposed to be about how to write a speech. Why is practicing my delivery part of the process? Here’s why. Your audience isn’t going to read your speech; you’re not going to hand it to them on a piece of paper. You’re going to say it out loud, and they’re going to watch and hear you say it.
Writing for reading is a different endeavor than writing for speaking and hearing. So, after you write the first draft of your speech, practice delivering it. You can do that in front of a mirror, your stuffed animals, or your friends.
You also can use Yoodli’s speech practice feature. That will instantly provide you with a video you can watch back along with feedback on your word choices and delivery. If you go with this option, pay particular attention to Yoodli’s analysis of your word choices.
Whatever practice method you choose, pay attention to any places in your speech where it just doesn’t seem right. See where dynamics and phrasing come into play. Perhaps certain sentences should be shorter or longer. Maybe the language needs to be less formal and more conversational. You might even need to reorder some points to make it more logical in its flow.
Again, consider your audience and how it feels to speak the words you’ve written.
Finally, time how long it takes to deliver your speech. (If you record your speech with Yoodli, it will do this for you.)
Step 5: Write a Final Draft
With all of this in mind, and considering any feedback you’ve received, make adjustments you see fit. Even the outline isn’t out of bounds if you need to make your speech more clear and logical.
When you practiced delivering your speech, you should have timed it. So, as you finalize your draft, make sure your speech is the right length for the occasion. You don’t want to bore your audience by talking too long, but you also don’t want to rush through your speech and leave out important information. Strike the right balance between saying what you need to say without going over the allotted time.
Since this draft isn’t for publication—it’s for speaking out loud—you might decide to use particular punctuation, formatting, or “speaker’s notes” to aid you in delivery.
Wrapping Up
We hope these strategies help you write a memorable and effective speech. While we’ve provided some guidelines to get you started, the key is to experiment and see what works best for you. Happy writing and speaking!
Note: This post was created in partnership with artificial intelligence.
You’ve likely heard of DEIB — diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. But saying you respect DEIB is very different than actually putting it in place.
Workplaces, schools, and individuals should all aim to improve their efforts toward DEIB. We’ll give you an overview on what DEIB means, how it affects people, and ways in which you can implement it yourself.
Everything You Should Know About DEIB
DEIB is an acronym for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. DEIB isn’t just important morally. It can transform the way you see the world and influence how you treat people at work, school, and in your everyday life.
Fostering a DEIB environment can spark true change and ideally start a chain reaction of diversity.
DEIB vs. DEI
Although there’s some confusion between DEIB vs. DEI, they’re actually referring to the same basic principles. While DEIB stands for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Even though it’s missing the “belonging,” like in DEIB, DEI aims to represent the same thing.
DEIB Explained: Breaking It Down
The acronym DEIB can be broken down to its individual principles: diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging. By exploring these respective concepts individually, you can better understand the initiative as a whole.
Diversity
The first word, diversity, refers to the variety of personalities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences in a group of people. For example, there’s a plethora of diverse people from identity groups and communities, which include characteristics like:
Race
Age
Ethnicity
Sexual orientation
Gender
Nationality
Location
Physical and mental abilities
Military or veteran status
Of course, there are many more groups and subgroups that add to the diversity of humankind, but this list includes some of the most common ones.
Equity
On the other hand, equity is having equal access and treatment for everyone, no matter who they are or what their background is. Equity involves realizing and understanding that we didn’t all start at an equal place. For example, some people are born into wealth whereas others never experience wealth in their life.
Inclusivity
Inclusivity is an environment where everyone can feel safe to express themselves and more importantly, exist and thrive in a safe space. Some examples of inclusivity you can use in your daily life include doing things like:
Standing up against bigotry, discrimination, and harassment when you witness it
Having a diverse group of friends and peers from other backgrounds
Opening yourself up to having conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion
Belonging
Lastly, belonging is a sense of acceptance, support and security in an environment. For example, some things that promote belonging include:
Building and fostering relationships
Encouraging various perspectives and opinions
Making valuable, intentional connections with others
DEIB Examples
There are tons of DEIB examples to better shed light on what it looks like, but one of the best examples is in the workplace.
Here are a few specific DEIB examples to check out in work environments.
What does DEIB look like in the workplace?
DEIB can manifest in different ways in the workplace. Some DEIB examples at work could include things like:
A workforce made up of lots of different experiences and backgrounds
Accommodations and accessible opportunities
Hiring pools with applicants from minority groups
An executive team full of diversity
Environments where people are free to express themselves
Why Is DEIB Important?
On a surface level, DEIB is important. But it goes even deeper than that.
Bigotry and discrimination has been baked into society. There’s a thick history of societal discrimination and its long-lasting effects on communities and groups of people.
DEIB is important not only because everyone deserves to be treated fairly, but also because people are happier, more productive, and efficient when they live in a diverse, inclusive environment.
The importance of DEIB at work
DEIB at work is particularly important. Creatingsafe, equitable environments for people at work isn’t just morally important. It’s also central to employee happiness and business success.
Research shows that employees who feel like they’re accepted at work are more likely to:
Think that — regardless of race — people are treated equally
Look forward to working
Remain at the company longer
Describe their workplace as “fun”
In terms of company-wide benefits, workplaces that prioritize DEIB are more likely to have:
A rise in Employer Net Promoter Score (eNPS)
Increased job performance
A decline in sick days
A decrease in turnover risk
Not only is DEIB morally important, but it’s also critical to a company’s success.
How to Create and Implement a DEIB Culture
No matter if you’re an employee or an executive of a company, you should aim to implement DEIB in your daily life.
Here are some tips, tricks, and strategies to create and implement a culture of DEIB.
DEIB in the workplace
To initiate and implement DEIB in the workplace, there are plenty of methods, strategies, and tips and tricks to help you get started. Here are four easy ways to achieve DEIB in the workplace.
Provide employee resource groups (ERGs). An ERG is an internal community at a workplace meant to bridge connections between groups of people while also providing a safe space for communication. These are especially important for minority or underrepresented groups who are more likely to face bigotry at work. Examples of ERGs could include LGBTQ+ employees, veterans, working parents, and disabled employees, among others.
Hiring a diverse group of employees, including for higher-level executive positions. The responsibility of a company to have diverse employees falls on the human resources (HR) team and senior leaders and executives. On that note, make sure that applications and job postings feature inclusive language to better reach a wider audience.
Offer developmental and educational resources. Providing employees with opportunities for development is another great way to include DEIB in the workplace. For example, an employer could offer a yearly mandatory unconscious bias training session to educate employees and reiterate the importance of diversity and equity as a whole. You can also include information about inclusive language in a formal guide that’s routinely updated. Having educational and informational resources that provide context on the historic, societal discrimination underrepresented groups face is a good idea, too.
Acknowledge and celebrate traditions and holidays common around the world, not just holidays popular in the U.S. Be mindful of different holidays when scheduling meetings or assigning deadlines.
DEIB at school
Another prime environment to encourage DEIB efforts is in schools, both K-12 and universities.
If you’re a student, teacher, or professor at a school, check out these three ways to implement DEIB at school.
Offer gender neutral restrooms for both students and teachers. Having gender neutral bathrooms is an easy way to promote inclusivity. If your school already has men’s and women’s restrooms, having at least one gender neutral bathroom is a great first step.
Make sure the classroom is a safe space for everyone. Shut down any bigotry, discrimination, or obvious bias immediately. Make sure to openly celebrate diversity with both students and faculty, including during holidays.
Don’t be afraid to talk about bias. Some people treat “bias” and “discrimination” as “dirty words” and are uncomfortable with discussion. However, this has the opposite effect of DEIB. Normalizing having conversations about bias and discrimination encourages further education and discussion.
Everyday DEIB strategies
On a personal level, there are individual DEIB strategies that you can experiment with to improve your own knowledge and expectations, as well as raise awareness.
Here are three easy ways to promote diversity and equity in your own daily life.
Use social opportunities like group outings to make diverse connections with people who are outside your “circle.” For example, you can join a local hiking group to meet new people who you might not have met in your other circles, like at work or school. Meeting people in different identity groups than you can improve your understanding of others, including their experiences and background.
Improve your own understanding of bias. Nobody is immune from unconscious bias, for example. Identifying, acknowledging, and checking your own biases is necessary to promote a culture of DEIB. Try taking a test like the Harvard Implicit Association Test (IAT) to pinpoint your implicit biases. Then, you can directly target your preconceived notions. Continue educating yourself by reading up on historical and societal discrimination and its lasting effects on society.
Actively work on avoiding bias. Once you have an understanding of your own biases, you can practice with Yoodli, an AI speech coach. Yoodli will analyze your speech and speaking patterns for DEIB by evaluating your monologuing, if you’re interrupting others, or using non-inclusive language, for example. Once you’re aware, you can continuously work on it and re-evaluate with Yoodli, which also offers a dashboard to track your progress.
Raise awareness about the importance of DEIB. Although you’ll need to continuously have an open mind, learn, and educate yourself about diversity and equity, raising awareness about the importance of DEIB is a must. Don’t shy away from “difficult” conversations with friends, family members, or peers. Even though it could feel uncomfortable at first, challenge any discriminatory or offensive comments. The first step to inciting change is a simple conversation.
The Bottom Line
Successfully implementing and fostering an environment with DEIB doesn’t happen overnight; it’s continuous effort that should constantly evolve. Creating change takes time, but DEIB is so worth investing in.
Change begins with one person. Spreading awareness of DEIB is a great first step to take.
Unconscious bias is extremely common, more so that conscious, explicit bias. Even so, it can be hard to recognize and work on your own preconceived notions and biases.
Everyone can work on their unconscious bias. We’ll explain what this type of bias is, how it manifests, and ways in which you can work on it on both an individual and large-scale level.
Everything You Should Know About Unconscious Bias
Unconscious bias — also called implicit associations — is a type of bias toward other people outside of your own understanding or consciousness. People with unconscious bias have certain social stereotypes about groups of people.
As a refresher, bias refers to holding discriminatory beliefs about a person or a group of people. For example, identity groups are often targets of bigotry.
Some common communities that face bias include:
Minority racial groups and people of color
The LGBTQ community, especially in terms of gender and sexual orientation
People with various religious groups that are often stereotyped
The disabled community (including people with invisible disabilities)
People with body differences, such as a larger body size
Older and younger generations, especially in the workplace (ageism)
There are two main types of bias. One is unconscious bias or implicit bias. The other is conscious bias or explicit bias.
With conscious bias, the person is fully aware of their bigotry and its effects, as opposed to unconscious bias, where the person doesn’t fully understand their prejudices.
Who has this kind of bias?
Everyone has unconscious bias. In fact, research shows that most unconscious prejudices start early in life, typically beginning during childhood. As the person grows up, these biases continue to grow and develop.
It’s a human trait to categorize people into various identity or social groups, and having these biases is normal.
Still, that doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
How common is this type of bias?
Since everyone has some unconscious bias, it’s extremely common. That being said, it’s even more common than outright, conscious bigotry.
What triggers it?
Although everyone develops this type of bias during their life, there are some situations that can trigger unconscious bias. Here’s an example.
If you’re working under pressure, stressed, or multi-tasking, this can prompt unconscious assumptions or attitudes.
How do you identify this type of bias?
There are many ways to identify unconscious bias. One way is to surround yourself with diverse groups of people. You can also read up on identity groups that you’re not a part of and the concept of DEIB.
However, taking an unconscious bias test can better identify biases that are below the surface that you’re not aware of (learn more about this below).
How Does Unconscious Bias Affect People?
Unconscious bias has a negative effect on people. These biases affect a person’s behavior toward others.
For example, the impact of unconscious bias has been extensively studied, especially in areas like:
Education departments
Health and healthcare space
Criminal justice system
Unconscious Bias Examples
Unfortunately, there are tons of unconscious bias examples to consider when taking a look at your own internal prejudices and beliefs.
Here are some common unconscious bias examples, including in the workplace and healthcare sphere.
Most common unconscious bias examples
Because it’s so common, chances are, you’ll recognize and even possibly be able to identify your own prejudices through these unconscious bias examples. Here are 17 types of unconscious bias examples to watch out for.
1. Racial bias: This type of prejudice assigns stereotypes to people of different racial groups and backgrounds.
2. Gender bias: Gender bias is a societal habit to discriminate based on preconceived notions or the historical discrimination of various genders.
3. Affinity bias: This kind of bias — which is also referred to as similarity bias — is the habit of making connections with those who are similar to you in terms of their experiences, background, and interests.
4. Confirmation bias: One of the most popular biases is confirmation bias, which is a type where you tend to come to conclusions about someone only based on your individual prejudices as opposed to honestly reviewing the situation.
5. Halo effect: When you have a tendency to place someone on a pedestal after you hear something remarkable about that person, this is called the halo effect.
6. Attribution bias: When you judge someone’s behavior only based on past interactions, this is known as attribution bias.
7. Ageism: With ageism, people have preconceived notions about others solely based on their age. For example, some people believe younger generations (such as Gen Z) “don’t want to work” these days. On the contrary, others believe older generations (such as Baby Boomers) are extremely resistant to change and have trouble adjusting to the modern age, especially with technology.
8. Authority bias: This kind of bias is when people consider opinions or ideas more only because the person who suggested it is in an authority position.
9. Conformity bias: You might be more familiar with the term “peer pressure,” but both of these terms are essentially synonymous. With this type, regardless of your actual beliefs, you’re more likely to conform to fit in with the people around you.
10. Horn effect: When you tend to see someone in a bad light after you figure out something negative or unsavory about them, this is called the horn effect.
11. Anchor bias: Also known as expectation anchor bias, this type refers to situations where people make decisions using one piece of information.
12. Contrast effect: When you compare things that you’ve experienced and exaggerate one over the other, this is called the contrast effect. You might see one thing as being way better than the other (or much worse) instead of perceiving it normally.
13. Nonverbal bias: If you evaluate things like hand gestures or other types of body language and that informs your opinions or decisions, this is nonverbal bias.
14. Beauty bias: Also referred to colloquially as “pretty privilege,” is when people believe that those who are more conventionally attractive are also more qualified, successful, and capable than those who aren’t.
15. Height bias: This type is exactly what it sounds like: a bias toward short or tall people based on preconceived notions.
16. Name bias: Name bias is extremely common. This refers to the habit of preferring people with particular names and judging people with other types of names. Usually, more “Western” or Anglo origin names are “preferred” whereas names originating for other regions are unfairly discriminated against.
17. Overconfidence bias: If you tend to be more confident in your abilities than you really should be, this is known as overconfidence bias.
Unconscious bias in the workplace
In the workplace — no matter what industry — unconscious bias is common and ever-present. As such, many researchers have studied this type of bias in work environments.
For example, one study on labor market discrimination found that resumes with “white-sounding names” got 50% more interview offers than resumes with “Black-sounding names.”
In another more recent study, science faculty favored students who were men over women as a result of their gender biases. Researchers found that applicants for a lab manager role who were men were actually considered more hireable and capable. For applicants who were men, science faculty offered not only more mentoring, but also a larger starting salary.
Unconscious bias in healthcare
Many groups face disparities in healthcare — namely people of color and LGBTQ folks. Researchers believe that unconscious bias might fuel some of these healthcare disparities.
Healthcare providers like doctors and nurses have implicit biases that actually affect their understanding, decision-making, and ultimately, the care the patient receives.
There have been dozens of studies about decision-making in healthcare and unconscious bias. Racial bias in particular is extremely common with healthcare professionals. Research shows that a provider’s beliefs about race affects their decision-making.
Unconscious Bias Training
A great way to mitigate this type of bias in various spaces and on an individual level as well is unconscious bias training. Unconscious bias training is a resource you can use to raise awareness of this type of bias and how it’s unjustly connected to a person’s abilities or persona.
The goal of the training is to ultimately eliminate bigotry toward friends, peers, clients, colleagues, and other people you might interact with on a daily basis. For example, in the workplace specifically, unconscious bias training can keep personal biases from affecting decisions related to hiring, terminating employment, and promotions.
However, research shows that unconscious bias training isn’t working as it should. Psychologist Patrick Forscher and his associates conducted a meta-analysis in 2019 of over 490 studies. In their analysis, which covered around 80,000 people, they discovered that people’s behavior didn’t change after the training.
Albeit discouraging, unconscious bias training can definitely work. The key is to make sure it’s not a one-off training session. Instead, entities like universities and workplaces need to emphasize that it’s a life-long journey.
A good unconscious bias training doesn’t just give examples of how biases can manifest — Instead, it teaches participants how to evaluate their prejudices, alter their behavior, and even keep up with and analyze their progress as they go.
Instead of simply showing examples, unconscious bias training can provide attendees with information that disproves common stereotypes while also offering connections to people outside of an individual’s usual circle.
True unconscious bias training is a lifelong effort that entities should continuously work on and encourage.
Unconscious Bias Test
For people who want to work on their internal prejudices, there’s one unconscious bias test in particular worth checking out.
The Implicit Association Test (IAT) is one of the most common, trusted unconscious bias tests out there.
Researchers designed the IAT to identify and more easily recognize unconscious bias. This unconscious bias test is based on aspects like:
Gender
Race
Ethnicity
Sexual orientation
Project Implicit — a network of researchers, technicians, and labs across the University of Virginia, Harvard University, and the University of Washington — aided the development of the IAT as part of its mission to acknowledge and recognize internal stereotypes.
How does the unconscious bias test work?
This unconscious bias test works by examining various concepts and measuring how strong the resulting associations are. For example, people are tasked with placing words or images into categories on a computer.
Researchers know that when two ideas are easily correlated, the individuals taking the test paired the words or images into a category quickly. However, two concepts that testers don’t envision as being associated would have a weak association.
The IAT is an important way to measure unconscious bias because it looks specifically at a type of bias that lays under the surface level.
For example, on the surface, you might think that all genders should be equally associated with, say, mathematics. However, your IAT results might show that you actually have automatic associations that you envision men as mathematicians more than women.
Ways to Avoid Unconscious Bias
Luckily, unconscious biases aren’t necessarily permanent. Once you’re aware, you can become more diligent and make sure you acknowledge and mitigate the negative effects of your biases.
Experts suggest looking at unconscious bias on not only the individual level, but also on a higher societal level.
Individual ways to avoid unconscious bias
In terms of how to avoid unconscious bias yourself, there are plenty of ways to get started recognizing and acknowledging these internal prejudices.
Here are five easy ways to avoid unconscious bias on an individual level.
Explore your own existing knowledge and self-awareness of bias. Take a deep dive into the concept of bias as a whole to explore what it is and how it affects behavior.
Use inclusive language. Using inclusive language and continuously updating your vernacular is a great way to avoid this bias.
Take an unconscious bias test like the IAT to evaluate and identify your own biases. This way, you can be specific in what you need to improve.
Surround yourself with a diverse group of friends, coworkers, and colleagues. Having discussions with people outside of your own identity or cultural group can help you begin to unpack biases and understand others.
Internally acknowledge (or write down in a personal journal) biases that you have and how to challenge them. Writing them down gives you a safe space to process and worth through your personal biases.
Keep in mind how common unconscious bias is. Knowing how prevalent it is on an individual level across society is important to continue the fight against bigotry.
Another way to avoid unconscious bias is through Yoodli, a free communication coach.
Yoodli can analyze your speech and speaking patters when you upload or record a video of yourself talking. Although Yoodli provides a plethora of helpful metrics — namely, speaking pace, word choice, and filler word usage — you can also actively work on your own unconscious bias.
To detect your unconscious bias, Yoodli evaluates a few metrics, such as monologuing, interruptions, and non-inclusive language.
For example, going on long monologues is a sign that you’re not listening or letting others participate in the conversation. When you interrupt other speakers, that’s another hint that you might not be letting other participants express themselves.
Yoodli will also flag any potentially non-inclusive language for you, too. That way, you can not only recognize what terms and phrases might be problematic, but you can also work to improve on that specifically.
With Yoodli, you can work on your unconscious bias in a completely safe space. Learn more below:
Nip your unconscious bias in the bud with Yoodli.
Societal ways to avoid unconscious bias
You can also avoid unconscious bias by using larger, more societal-scale strategies.
Here are four methods to challenge unconscious bias at this level, especially for employers.
Host and attend unconscious bias training sessions or guided discussions to better understand the biases themselves and the ways to combat them. For example, you can host unconscious bias training at your workplace or university to minimize the harm caused in these spaces in particular.
At both university institutions and workplace environments, partner with diverse groups to create solid goals to eliminate stereotyping when hiring, mentoring, evaluating, and promoting individuals. This can give both universities and workplaces a roadmap to avoiding this type of bias.
Normalize calling out and addressing bias at a team level (e.g., at your place of work or university). Having a positive team culture of checking biases can make all the difference.
Be willing to hold yourself accountable at a team level. This goes for anyone on the team. If you’re in a position of power however, it’s even more crucial for you to acknowledge and mitigate your own biases in front of other people.
The Bottom Line
If you have unconscious bias, don’t worry — it’s very normal and expected. Still, that doesn’t mean you should simply accept it. The best thing to do is accept it and begin your journey on unlearning these preconceived notions.
Take it one day at a time and remember to continue educating yourself.
You impressed them in the interview. You landed the job. Now it’s time to make a good first impression at work on Day 1.
Let’s look at how to impress with your appearance, your promptness, and your attitude. We’ll go over three ways to make a good impression whether you’re at a formal workplace or working from home.
#1: Impress With Your Appearance
Your appearance makes your first impression at work. Others see you before they talk with you or work with you. That doesn’t mean that you should wear a tux—unless you’re a maître d’ at a swanky establishment. That’s the key: Dress and groom appropriately for your job and workplace.
Before you start your first day at work, find out what the expectation is for your appearance. Is the workplace “business casual”? Does the job require a uniform? Regardless of the dress code, make sure you don’t look sloppy. Take pride in your appearance, and show respect to your coworkers and clients.
You’re likely to meet a lot of new people on your first day of work. So, learn what you need to know about the expectations, and then prepare to impress.
If You Work From Home …
Just because you work from home, it doesn’t mean that your appearance doesn’t matter. Be ready for video chats and meetings. That includes not only your personal appearance but the appearance of everything in your camera’s view. Your teammates, boss, and clients don’t want to see a pile of Snickers wrappers, empty wine bottles, and a sticky fly strip hanging from the lampshade. Put some thought into—and take pride in—your appearance and the appearance of your workspace.
This doesn’t just make a good first impression at work. Dressing and grooming in a way that’s deliberate and respectful will also make you feel more professional and motivated to get work done. A clean, uncluttered, and appropriately-designed workspace is conducive to creativity and productivity.
#2: Impress With Your Promptness
You don’t want your first impression at work to be the fact that you’re not there when you’re supposed to be. Since this is a new job, it’s likely that finding its location is new to you. The commute is new to you. Figuring out where you’re supposed to report to work is new to you.
So, before your first day, do a practice run. Make sure you know where you’re going, how to get there, and what to expect with the commute at that time of day. The night before, plan what you’re going to wear, and make sure it’s ready, along with anything you plan to take with you.
Make a plan for what time you’re going to leave home, and add a cushion so you have extra time. Plan to arrive early. The best way to be on time is to arrive early. The best way to arrive early is to prepare and give yourself more time than you think you need.
Also, make sure you have the phone number of the person you’re reporting to when you arrive. That way, if you’re going to be late for some reason, you can let them know.
If You Work From Home …
Just because you’re not showing up for your new job somewhere across town does not mean that you don’t have a workplace where you should be at the start of the workday. You have a workplace; it just happens to be in your home. Be there promptly at the agreed-upon time. Clock in however you’re supposed to clock in. Be available to your boss, coworkers, and clients—and get to work.
Put in the time that’s expected of you. Don’t make people have to track you down. When promptness is part of your first impression at work, it sets the tone and lets others know they can count on you starting now.
#3: Impress With Your Attitude
Showing up early and looking sharp are a couple of ways you communicate your attitude toward your new job and colleagues. These behaviors indicate that you’re eager and respectful. As you go through your first day on the new job, and as you deliver the first product of your work, do what you can to express an attitude that will win over your teammates, supervisor, and clients. To make a great first impression at work with your attitude, help others see the following qualities in you right from the start:
Enthusiasm: As we’ve already discussed, you want to make it clear that you’re excited to have this job, be part of this team, and contribute to this organization’s mission. Smile, take initiative, and go the extra mile.
Respect: We’ve looked at how you can show respect through your appearance and promptness. You also can express respect by your interest in the other standards and expectations of your organization and doing what you can to meet or exceed them. Do your job to the best of your ability, and let others also shine by supporting them and giving them credit where it’s due.
Gratitude: It’s likely that other people applied for this job and didn’t get it. You did. This organization made you part of the team, and that’s a gift you should always be thankful for. Think about some ways you can express that gratitude. Just be careful to act sincerely and not in a way that smacks of self-seeking sycophancy. Because everyone hates self-seeking sycophancy.
Teamwork: Regardless of your position, you’re likely to be part of a team. From Day 1, show that you’re a team player who wants the organization and the team to succeed. You’re not in this for you. You’re committing to pull your weight and celebrate when others succeed.
If You Work From Home …
The principles above also apply if you work from home. But, since you’re not around others as much as you would be in an organizational workspace, you need to place an emphasis on one thing: communication. Don’t make your colleagues wonder whether you’re on the job. Don’t allow a chance for them to doubt if you’re meeting deadlines.
You can make a positive first impression at work on Day 1 by establishing an effective communication process. Find out how your boss, coworkers, and clients like to communicate. Do they prefer email or a phone call? Does the team use a particular app? Then, in the early days on the job, figure out the frequency and nature of communication that people want. Also, make sure you’re reachable when you should be.
Always err on the side of overcommunication. Again—don’t make people wonder or have to track you down. Be available, and take the initiative. It’s better to have them tell you that you don’t need to communicate so often than to have to hound you for updates and answers.
What Impression Do You Make When You Communicate?
Even if you don’t work from home, you can benefit from applying the tips in the previous section. Communication is crucial, regardless of your work situation. What kind of impression do you make when you communicate? You might be surprised. Yoodli’s free desktop app gives you real-time (and private) feedback on how you come across.
You can use the app during online meetings, interviews, presentations, and more. And, no one else knows that you’re using it (even if you share your screen)—although they enjoy the benefits! It notifies you when you’re monopolizing a conversation, interrupting others, or using noninclusive language that might make some people feel left out.
Not only does the live feedback help you course correct at the moment, but the app helps you identify your communication habits so you can improve your skills over time. You find out whether you tend to talk too fast or too much. You learn whether you have a habit of saying “um” or “so.” Most of the time, we’re not aware of our speaking habits. Yoodli gives you those valuable insights and helps you make a great impression.
Wrapping Up
While a first impression is extremely important, it’s not the only impression you make. Keep showing up, continue to work hard, and never stop being a team player who takes pride in the organization’s mission. That’s the only way to leave a lasting impression that others admire.
If you have a powerful message to share or if you have a knack for communication, public speaking might be the path for you. To learn how to become a public speaker, follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way.
Becoming a public speaker entails more than just delivering speeches. Here are the steps we’ll cover:
Identify your expertise.
Identify your target audience.
Learn how to write speeches.
Learn how to deliver speeches.
Establish and online presence.
Network.
Start speaking.
Be patient and persistent—and have fun.
Keep growing.
#1: Identify Your Expertise
Before you can become a public speaker, you must figure out what you’re going to speak about. People want to hear from someone who knows what they’re talking about. So, first, you must identify your expertise or develop expertise in an area.
We’ll go through some of the steps to do this. But, first, let’s get clarity on what it means to be an expert on something.
Qualities of Experts
Specific education, training, and knowledge. An expert has a deep understanding of the subject matter they’re an expert in. They have the necessary education, training, and knowledge to be able to speak authoritatively on the subject.
Required qualifications. In some fields, there are specific qualifications that are required to be considered an expert. For example, to be a physician, you need to have a medical degree.
Ability to assess importance in work-related situations. An expert is able to quickly assess the importance of information and data in a work-related situation. They’re able to identify considerations and make informed decisions.
Capability to improve themselves. An expert is always learning and growing. They’re constantly seeking out new information and knowledge to improve their skills and knowledge.
Intuition. An expert often has a gut feeling or intuition about things. They’re able to see patterns and connections that others might not see.
Self-assurance and confidence in their knowledge. An expert is confident in their knowledge and abilities. They’re not afraid to speak up and share their knowledge with others.
It’s important to note that expertise isn’t static. It’s something you can develop and grow over time. The more you learn and practice, the more expert you’ll become.
Now, let’s turn to some of the ways you can identify your own expertise.
How to Identify Your Expertise
Reflect on your skills and knowledge. What are you good at? What do you know a lot about? What are you passionate about?
Consider your education and training. What have you studied? What certifications do you have?
Think about your experience. What have you done in the past that has given you expertise in a particular area?
Get feedback from others. Ask your friends, family, colleagues, and mentors for their input on your skills and knowledge.
Take assessments. Many online assessments can help you identify your strengths.
Set goals. What do you want to be an expert in? When you know what you want to achieve, you can start working toward it.
Once you know your area of expertise, you can start to develop your message and find audiences who are interested in what you have to say.
#2: Identify Your Target Audience
To become a public speaker, you must not only have something to speak about; you also must have someone to speak to. Your speaking is a service. So, you must identify a target customer just as any business with a service must do. Who will “buy your service”? Who wants or needs to hear what you have to say?
To begin to identify your target audience, consider your competition. Who are your competitors? Who else speaks about what you speak about? Whom are they targeting? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Consider where your audience will overlap with the audience of your competitors. Think about where you might fill a gap.
Next, ask the following questions:
What are the demographics of your target audience? This might include their location, age, sex, education level, occupation, and income level.
What are the psychographics of your target audience? This might include their worldview, values, beliefs, attitudes, fears, hopes, and interests.
What are the pain points of your target audience? What problems or challenges do they have that you could solve?
What are the needs and wants of your target audience? What are they looking for that you might have?
Where can you find your target audience? Where do they spend their time? What websites do they visit? What social media platforms do they use?
The more you know about your target audience, the better you’ll be able to tailor your marketing to their needs and interests. This will help you reach them with your message and achieve your goals.
Your Audience Persona
Consider creating an audience persona. This is a named, fictional representation of your ideal audience member. It can help you better understand them. And, you’ll be more likely to remember that you’re speaking to a real person with real needs and desires.
By taking the time to identify your target audience, you can give yourself the best chance of marketing your speaking services successfully.
#3: Learn How to Write Speeches
If you want to become a public speaker, you’ll need to know how to write speeches. A well-written speech is essential for a successful public speaking performance. When writing your speech, be sure to:
Choose a clear and concise topic. Make it about one thing. Not ten things. Not four things. One thing.
Tailor your message to your target audience so that it’s relevant and engaging.
Don’t consider it done until you speak it out loud and make any necessary edits. Remember that people won’t read your speech; they’ll hear it. Speechwriting is not the same as essay writing.
If you’re wondering how to learn your speeches without reading them word-for-word, check out these articles:
Of course, if you want to become a public speaker, you must have the right delivery skills in addition to writing skills. These include:
Engaging your audience: This means connecting with your audience by making eye contact, using gestures, and speaking in a clear and winsome way. Learn more about audience engagement.
Reading your audience: You must learn how to read a room well so that you can make adjustments as you go and keep your audience with you.
Nonverbal communication: The words you say are only part of what you communicate. Pay attention to what you’re doing with your eyes, your smile, your hands, etc.
Use of visual aids: Visual aids can improve audience engagement and their ability to retain information. But, be sure to use visual aids strategically if you use them at all.
Storytelling: People love stories. So, your audience is far more likely to pay attention and remember what you say if you use stories.
Start and end strong: How you start a speech will set the tone; if you don’t grab attention at the start, you’re unlikely to ever get it. How you start a speech impacts how you and your speech will be remembered.
Develop Your Public Speaking Skills
Lots of resources are out there to help you improve your public speaking skills. Of course, to develop any skill, the most important thing to do is practice. Speaking classes, associations such as the National Speakers Association, and clubs such as Toastmasters provide these opportunities as well as training.
Of course, you always can practice in front of family and friends. And, if you’d like to practice on your own, Yoodli’s free AI speech app provides endless opportunities for practice as well as instant feedback on your word choices and delivery.
With practice and effort, you can improve your public speaking skills and become a more confident and effective speaker. Check out our article “9 Strategies for Effective Public Speaking Skills” for more on this topic.
#5: Establish an Online Presence
If you want to be a successful public speaker, you must have a professional online presence. This is nonnegotiable. This means having a website and social media profiles where you can share your expertise and connect with audiences and potential audiences. A podcast or a video channel on sites like YouTube are also excellent ideas.
An online presence is one of the best ways to establish and grow an audience. Once you’re ready to “go live,” make sure you’re online with a professional and active presence. Amateurish, sloppy, and out-of-date sites and profiles don’t make a positive impression. It’s not enough that you set up an online presence. People will regard even the most professional-looking site or profile as unprofessional if it’s not consistently active.
Get the Equipment You Need
Being online as a public speaker entails making and uploading videos (and possibly livestreaming) and/or audio. So, you’ll want to make sure you invest in a webcam, a microphone, and lighting to create quality videos that show you’re the real deal. You don’t have to go over the top, as equipment can get expensive, but try to at least match the quality of your competitors’ work.
#6: Network
Network with people, including—but certainly not limited to—other speakers. Attend industry events and connect with other speakers. Join speakers associations and clubs. These are great ways to learn from others and find opportunities to speak. Chances are, there’s at least one networking group in your area. Connect with others, let them know what you do, and more opportunities are bound to come your way.
To become a public speaker, start speaking! Even before you have invitations, you can seek out opportunities or make them yourself. Once you have your message and your skills in development (notperfect), start speaking locally and/or online for free. This is a great way to gain experience, get feedback, and build your reputation and audience. Even if only 12 people attend your speech, or five people watch your video, or nobody listens to your podcast, you’re getting invaluable experience.
Check with the Toastmasters and Rotary clubs in your area, and start uploading videos of your talks to your site and social media profiles.
#8: Be Patient & Persistent—& Have Fun
Becoming a successful public speaker takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a speaking gig or build a big audience right away.
Don’t let setbacks stop you. Along the way, you’re likely to experience public speaking anxiety. Building a reputation and an audience will be slow going. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re just speaking into the wind. The important thing is to keep going. Learn from your mistakes. Grow through the challenges. Keep your expectations in check.
Whatever. youdo, have fun. Public speaking can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. If you’re not having fun, it will show. So, relax, enjoy yourself, and let your passion for your topic shine through.
#9: Keep Growing
There’s no such thing as public speaking perfection. Knowledge and skills have no limit. Success has no ceiling. Keep practicing and networking, and you will find your audience. Yoodli would love to be a partner on your journey to becoming a public speaker. Let’s go!
Note: This post was created in partnership with artificial intelligence.
When you’re speaking to an audience, you want to feel like they’re “with you”—they’re interested, they’re tracking with you, and they’re emotionally connected to what you’re saying. It can be fairly easy to tell whether you have audience engagement. They look at you, and they react and respond in appropriate ways—nodding, smiling, applauding, and laughing at your jokes. Perhaps their eyes well up with tears when you share something powerful.
While there are telltale signs that make it simple to know whether you’ve captured an audience, capturing them in the first place isn’t a cakewalk. Keep reading to learn what audience engagement really means (including some examples of public speakers who’ve excelled in this area), why it’s so important to have it, and how to get.
What Is Audience Engagement?
Audience engagement in public speaking is the active and positive response of a group of people to a live presentation. You, the presenter, pique the audience’s interest, hold their attention, and elicit their participation. When you engage an audience, you create a connection—establishing a rapport with them and making them feel like you’re speaking to them personally. They respond in appropriate ways as you invite them to connect with you.
Examples of Speakers Who Achieve Audience Engagement
To get a better idea of what audience engagement means, take a look at how some of the best public speakers have achieved it.
Steve Jobs was a master of audience engagement. He often used humor, stories, and visuals to keep his audience engaged. He also asked questions to get his audience involved and make sure they were understanding his message.
Barack Obama is another great example of a public speaker who’s skilled at engaging his audience. He often uses personal stories, humor, and passion to connect with his audience. He also asks questions to get them involved and to make sure they’re understanding his message.
Martin Luther King, Jr., was a master of using storytelling to engage his audience. He often told stories from his own life or from the lives of others to illustrate his points. He also used humor to lighten the mood and to make his speeches more memorable.
Many TED Talks are great examples of how presenters use audience engagement to create a memorable and impactful presentation. Speakers often use visuals, humor, and stories to engage their audience. They also use polls and surveys to get feedback from their audience and to see how they’re engaging with the presentation. Take a look at the first-ever TEDx Talk written by AI by Yoodli’s co-founder Varun Puri.
Why Audience Engagement Is Important
Audience engagement in public speaking is important because it helps ensure that your audience is listening to and understanding your message. It also helps create a more memorable and impactful presentation. Consider these benefits in detail:
Increased understanding: When the audience is engaged, they’re more likely to understand the message of the presentation. This is because they are paying attention and following along. They’re tracking with you.
Increased memorability: When the audience is engaged, they’re more likely to remember the message of the presentation. This is because they’re more likely to be taking the information in and processing it. Samuel Johnson wisely said, “The true art of memory is the art of attention.”
A more positive reaction: When the audience is engaged, they’re more likely to have a positive reaction to the presentation. This is because they’re more likely to be entertained and persuaded by the message.
Increased participation: When the audience is engaged, they’re more likely to become involved in the presentation. This could entail asking and/or answering questions, completing activities, or sharing their own experiences.
Tips for Audience Engagement
As we stated earlier, audience engagement in public speaking isn’t easy. But, fear not, because possible. So, take a look at these engagement tips and see how you can start incorporating these elements into your talks.
Prepare Your Speech
Know your audience. Before you start your presentation, take some time to learn about your audience. What are their interests? What do they know about your topic? This will help you tailor your presentation to their needs and interests.
Start strong. The first few minutes of your presentation are critical. This is when you need to grab your audience’s attention and keep them engaged. Start with a strong introduction that will hook your audience and make them want to listen to what you have to say.
Use visuals. Visuals can be a great way to break up the text of a presentation and make it more engaging. Be sure to choose visuals that are relevant to the topic and easy to understand and that they enhance rather than distract.
Use humor. Humor can be a great way to break the ice and get people’s attention. But, it’s important to use it appropriately and make sure that it’s relevant to your topic.
Tell stories. Stories engage an audience because they help people connect with your message on a personal level. When telling a story, be sure to make it relevant to your topic and to keep it concise.
Deliver Your Speech
Make eye contact. This is a great way to connect with them and keep their attention. It also helps them feel like you’re talking directly to them.
Use gestures and facial expressions. These can help you add emphasis to your points and keep your audience engaged.
Speak clearly and confidently. This will help your audience understand your message and take you seriously. If you believe in you and what you’re saying, they’re more likely to believe in you and what you’re saying.
Vary your tone and pacing. Don’t just read from your notes or deliver your presentation in a monotone voice. Vary your tone and pacing to keep your audience engaged.
Invite audience participation. This can be something that you prepare beforehand or that seems appropriate (or even necessary) as you speak. It could involve asking them to answer questions, complete activities (e.g., polls or surveys), or share their own experiences. This is a great way to get feedback from your audience and to see how they’re engaging with your presentation. You might ask questions that encourage people to quickly nod or answer, such as “Does that make sense?” or “Do you agree?” or “Is that your experience?” You might also ask open-ended questions if you want to encourage discussion and have an effective way to hear people’s answers.
Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Be yourself, and let your unique personality shine through. This will help you connect with your audience and make your presentation more engaging. It will also help them trust you and like you.
Have fun! Public speaking can be daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to share your passion with others. If you’re having fun, your audience will also be more likely to have fun.
Yoodli’s free AI speech coach can help you prepare and get experience with several of these elements of delivery, including eye contact and pacing. Learn more about Yoodli, and then give it a whirl to see what kind of difference it can make in your communication.
Wrapping Up
Now you know why audience engagement in public speaking is so important, and you’re armed with several practical strategies for making it a reality. Get ready to engage your audience and create a more memorable and impactful presentation!
Note: This post was created in partnership with artificial intelligence.
If you don’t know what type of learner you are yet, today’s a great day to find out.
Many people overlook learning styles, especially once they’ve finished school. But knowing what type of learner you are can completely transform not only your professional life, but your personal life, too.
We’ll give you the rundown on the four most common types of learners, how they each absorb information best, and help you find out which type you are.
What Are the Different Types of Learners?
Whether or not you realize, there are four main types of learners: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading and writing. These different types refer to how people process and understand information best.
So for example, one person might learn best by listening to the information presented where another person would struggle to understand just by listening.
What type of learner you are can depend on many things. Factors like your cognitive ability, the environment, and even your emotions can affect what type of learner you become.
That being said, no one type of learner is “better” than the other; these are just learning styles that help the individual get the most out of the information they receive.
What’s the VARK model?
The VARK model is a way to conceptualize types of learners for people to better understand how to optimize their learning. VARK is an acronym for the types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic.
For students, using a model like VARK emphasizes the importance of processing and retaining information in ways that make sense for the individual student. Using such a model can actually boost a student’s academic confidence which can be a classroom game changer.
Still, the VARK model can be applied outside of educational institutions and into other areas, such as a person’s professional and personal lives.
Why You Should Know What Type of Learner You Are
It’s important to know what type of learner or learning style you use because it can completely transform your professional (and personal) life. Here’s why.
People learn and absorb information in different ways. That being said, what works for one person might not work at all for another. If you’re not sure what type of learner you are, you could be inadvertently struggling to understand a concept that you could more easily understand through your learning style.
Knowing what type of learner you are can help you not only absorb the information, but also to process, understand, and remember the information.
Types of Learners
As mentioned earlier, there are four main types of learners: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing. Each type of learner carries different meanings for people, but being able to recognize which type of learner you are can make a world of difference.
Let’s take a closer look at these four types of learners.
Visual learners
If you’re a visual learner, you prefer to learn through visualization. In other words, you take in information better when you can visually see it. It’s also called the “spatial” learning style.
Visual learners thrive when working with information in the form of shapes or patterns and visual aids.
For example, for visual types of learners, they may benefit from getting information from visual elements like:
Diagrams
Maps
Written instructions
Pictures
Graphs
Charts
If observing and seeing the information is right up your alley, you’re probably a visual learner. Learning through sight is a really common way to understand data, facts, and other types of information.
Auditory learners
An auditory type of learner does best when they can hear information spoken aloud. Auditory learners also benefit by speaking and talking through information.
Examples of things that benefit auditory learners include things like:
Group discussions
Lectures
Breakout rooms
Podcasts
Learning better through hearing information or subject matter is also pretty common. This type includes using your own voice to reinforce what you’ve learned or heard.
If you’re an auditory learner, you might like things like reading materials out loud, talking and explaining things verbally, and asking lots of questions.
Kinesthetic learners
Kinesthetic learners thrive when they can absorb information through “tactile” experiences — AKA, touch. That’s why they’re also known as tactile learners.
If you’re a kinesthetic learner, you learn best by doing or experiencing things. Kinesthetic learners understand information by using their hands to physically touch something or even by acting out concepts.
Even though this type sounds a bit complex, understanding complex is easier for kinesthetic learners when they can physically sense things.
Reading and writing learners
Some types of learners prefer taking in information through reading and writing. For this type, words are the key. This type is actually pretty similar to visual learners given that people who prefer reading and writing are also experiencing the information visually.
Reading and writing learners do best with they process information by doing things like:
Recording information in a diary
Browsing the internet
Reading books or articles
Taking notes
Can you be more than one type of learner?
Yes! You can absolutely be more than one type of learner, and most people are. However, there’s usually one predominant type of learner that comes through more than the rest.
For example, you might be a reading and writing type of learner mostly, but you also appreciate experiencing things through touch.
Tips for Types of Learners at School
If you’re a student, knowing what type of learner you are is exceptionally helpful. Students often take in more information on a daily basis than anyone else and optimizing this by using your learning style is ideal.
Here are a few tips and tricks for how to thrive at school based on your specific learning style.
Visual learners at school
If you’re a visual learner, you might find yourself taking notes (or doodling) during class. To best learn at school — no matter if you’re in high school or at university — you need to be able to visualize things.
Using smartboards or whiteboards in particular is a great way to take in information when you’re studying or trying to understand a concept.
When you’re studying, try learning the information with tactics like:
Reviewing presentations or slideshows (if your teacher or professor uses them)
Making yourself a homemade worksheet
Drawing pictures, charts, or diagrams (even doodles can help!)
If you find yourself struggling to understand and remember information during a lecture, try using an AI speech coach like Yoodli. With this tool, you can upload a recording of the lecture and get an automatic transcript to see what the professor said, word-for-word, and when.
Yoodli can be beneficial for all types of learners, but especially for visual learners.
Unlike similar tools, Yoodli is completely free for anyone to use. You can also use Yoodli to improve your own speech, as Yoodli can analyze any video with you speaking and provide you with a plethora of metrics. These include things like filler word usage (including which ones you use), speaking pace, body language, and even word choice.
Yoodli is perfect for visual learners who attend lectures, as visual learners also need time to process the information after seeing it.
Auditory learners at school
For auditory learners, being able to hear the information is what’s most important.
If you’re an auditory learner, you might thrive in lecture settings, are able to to explain things well, and like reading aloud to yourself when you’re studying. Still, don’t be surprised if you’re a slower reader — most auditory learners typically read slower than other types of learners.
To take advantage of this learning style in school, you could try things like:
Recording the lecture yourself and listening back to it later
Discussing the material learned with friends or peers in a group
Explaining concepts you’ve learned to someone who doesn’t have any experience in the subject
Answering questions when a professor asks them
Watching videos about the subject you’re learning
Kinesthetic learners at school
Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn through touch or other tactite experiences. Physically doing an action solidifies the information for people who learn through this style.
If you’re a student who’s a kinesthetic learner, you might find that you have trouble sitting still and are drawn to doing physical activity, like sports.
Kinesthetic learners can benefit at school from doing things like:
Demonstrate the concepts you’ve learned
Physical experiments
Acting out an event (like a scene from a book, for example)
One of the easiest ways to trigger kinesthetic learning is to move while you obtain information. So for example, if you’re trying to memorize formulas, moving around while doing so can help you remember them faster. Pacing back and forth while you take in information and different concepts will help you process what you’re learning.
If you’re a kinesthetic learner, remember: It’s helpful for people with this learning type to take lots of breaks during study sessions to keep their brain refreshed.
Reading and writing learners at school
If you learn best through reading and writing, chances are, you usually score highly when you have written assignments, short answer questions, and papers or reports.
The traditional education system tends to be based around people who do well in these areas, which makes this type one of the easiest to leverage for school.
Ways to excel at school when you’re a reading and writer learner include doing things like:
Taking thorough notes (and reading through them)
Reading and re-reading the class material
Exploring textbooks and supplemental reading on the subject
For example, if you’re a reading and writing learner working with more visual information — like charts, diagrams, or graphs — it might help to grab a notebook and describe these visual elements in words.
Tips for Types of Learners at Work
Although the type of learner you are doesn’t change when you’re at work, the way you can use your learning style to your advantage does.
For those in the workforce, check out these tips for types of learners in a professional space.
Visual learners at work
Depending on your industry, visual learners at work can look very different. If you can, try to use lots of pictures, infographics, diagrams, and charts to visualize the information necessary. Almost all industries use some type of visuals, but this type of learner can utilize visual aids at any time — not just during presentations.
One good tip for visual learners at work is to experiment with color-coding. If you work with spreadsheets for example, color-coding can act as a powerful tool to sort and clarify information. It can also help you recognize patterns within your work.
Auditory learners at work
For auditory learners, work might (literally) sound a little different. Background noise can be important to this type of learner and as such, implementing sound while you’re working can boost your productivity.
For example, instead of working at your desk in silence, grab some headphones and listen to music. If you don’t like to listen to music while you work, try other sounds like ambient noise. This can also help you concentrate better as an auditory learner.
Kinesthetic learners at work
You might think tactile experiences might be harder to accommodate at work, but actually, kinesthetic learners have lots of potential strategies to help improve their work life.
For example, lots of job training is given in a “hands on” style. Many workplaces also use experiments and simulations for things like product testing or for simply trying out a new way of doing things.
Some offices even have standing desks or treadmills where you can work while moving. This is a great tool for kinesthetic learners.
Reading and writing learners at work
Reading and writing learning is pretty easy to accommodate at work. Doing things like taking notes during meetings, making to-do lists, and reading materials to help you understand projects are all very doable.
You can also take advantage of Yoodli at work. When you’re a reading and writing learner, retaining information from visual, online meetings can be difficult. But with Yoodli, you can get real-time nudges and reminders during the meeting (without anyone else seeing).
For example, by using Private Yoodli, you’ll get gentle reminders to keep the meeting on track and remember what you want to say, when you want to say it. As mentioned above, using Yoodli also provides you with a full transcript that you can read and review later.
Leverage Private Yoodli to benefit based on what type of learner you are.
What Type of Learner Are You?
If you want to figure out what type of learner you are, there are tons of great resources that can help you identify which type you are.
One such resource is EducationPlanner. This site allows you to take a test that identifies which type of learner you are by analyzing your responses to questions.
Similarly, Arden University has a quick 10-question quiz to help you figure out which type you might be.
Usually, figuring out which type of learner you are takes less than 20 minutes.
The Key Takeaway
Knowing what type of learner you are is only half the battle. It’s important to figure out how to use your learning style to your advantage.
Whether it’s using Yoodli to transcribe meetings at work to accommodate your reading and writing style, or drawing diagrams of what you’ve learned in school, knowing your style can completely change your life.
Being confident isn’t always easy. If you want to improve your self-confidence, don’t worry: it’s completely doable.
In our comprehensive guide, we’ll give you all the information and tools you need to boost your self-confidence — in just seven steps.
What Is Self-Confidence?
Self-confidence is your own belief and attitude toward yourself and your capabilities. When you’re self-confident, you’re proud and trust yourself completely. Because of that, you also tend to have an optimistic, positive perspective when you’re confident in yourself.
Self-esteem vs. self-confidence
The line between self-esteem and self-confidence is thin because they tend to overlap. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re the same.
While self-esteem refers to how you value and respect yourself, self-confidence includes the faith you have in yourself and your capabilities.
Even so, the two terms really go hand-in-hand.
Self-confidence synonyms
If you’re unfamiliar with what self-confidence means, sometimes a few synonyms can help shed light on the meaning.
Some of the best self-confidence synonyms include:
Belief in oneself
Self-assurance
Inner strength
Self-reliance
Positive self-image
Signs You Have Low Self-Confidence
Low-self confidence means that you have trouble trusting yourself and others because you don’t feel confident in yourself.
Signs you have low-confidence could include things like:
Having trouble hearing criticism about yourself
Feeling inferior, sad, ashamed, worthless, anxious, depressed, or even angry
Experiencing self-doubt
Having a hard time accepting compliments
Becoming upset when someone else disapproves
Steering clear of tasks or obstacles only because you’re afraid you’ll fail
If you do think you have low self-confidence, there’s no need to stress. There are plenty of simple, easy ways to boost your self-confidence.
7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Self-Confidence
If you’re looking to improve your self-confidence, look no further. We’ve simplified the best ways to improve your confidence in yourself in just seven simple ways.
Here are the seven best ways to boost your self-confidence.
1. Recognize your own strengths.
Recognizing and acknowledging your own strengths and “wins” is very important to boosting and maintaining your self-confidence. Knowing what you’re best at emphasizes your abilities and helps you visualize your achievements better. This includes celebrating your own accomplishments and following your progress.
If you don’t immediately know what your personal strengths are, that’s totally OK. Here are some helpful ways you can recognize and identify your strengths:
Ask your friends and family members what they think your strengths are
Take some time to figure out what you like most and why you like them (this can jog your memory and help you realize your skills)
2. Practice your impromptu speaking skills.
You might not be surprised to find out that your own self-confidence is often tied to your ability to communicate effectively. One of the best ways to improve your self-confidence is to work on your communication skills.
To improve your view of yourself and your abilities, try working with an AI speech coach like Yoodli.
Yoodli uses AI technology to analyze your speech and speaking patterns when you upload or record a video of yourself talking. As part of its analysis, you’ll get not only a full transcript of what was said, but also specific metrics and insights to your own speech.
For example, you’ll automatically get specific data on things like your:
Speaking pace
Word choice (including filler word usage)
Body language
Cohesiveness
This speech coach also gives you clear, actionable feedback. That might be to slow down when you’re speaking, to avoid using as many filler words, or even to reword sections of your speech to improve the flow.
Using Yoodli during virtual work meetings can also be insightful, too. By using Private Yoodli, you can take a look at these metrics and analytics during an actual meeting. Plus, this speech coach can give you tips in real-time to improve your speech, so you’ll be more confident than ever.
Learn more about how that works below:
By taking advantage of real-time coaching from Yoodli, you can improve your self-confidence in speaking.
3. Read some self-confidence books.
Sometimes, reading about self-confidence and methods to improve can make a world of difference. Luckily, there’s tons of research and literature about having confidence and faith in yourself, so you’ll have an entire library of potential books to choose from.
Some of the best self-confidence books include titles like:
If you still find yourself needing some inspiration, check out these seven best motivational speeches.
4. Set (realistic) goals for yourself.
Setting goals is easy, but setting realistic goals? That’s a bit more difficult. Setting a realistic goal means identifying what you need to accomplish and how. Experts recommend setting SMART goals, an acronym that can be defined as follows:
S for “specific”
M for “measurable”
A for “attainable”
R for “relevant”
T for “time-bound”
To make the goals a bit more visible, try writing them down along with any steps you’ve identified to work towards them. If you appreciate lists, you can organize the steps into a checklist and check them off as you go, so you can visually see your progress.
Remember, perfection in humans doesn’t exist. It’s the same with the phrase “practice makes perfect.” Instead, a better phrase to use might be “practice makes progress.”
5. Learn to say no.
Saying no can be incredibly difficult. However, learning to say no to things you don’t want to do (or can’t do) is a must to boost your self-confidence.
First one thing, you’ll feel more confident in yourself that you even have the strength to say no. But beyond that, learning to say no ensures that you don’t take on too much work, take on work you hate, or work that you don’t have time for. This keeps your life less stressful and you’ll be proud of your ability to decline requests from people when needed.
6. Express your needs.
One of the biggest mistakes people make with self-confidence is not expressing their needs, emotions, and feelings. Hiding or feeling uncomfortable expressing yourself is tied to low confidence.
Expressing your needs could apply to anything. Although it certainly applies to romantic relationships, it can also refer to professional relationships, friendships, or even just to the person waiting on your table at a restaurant.
You’ll improve your confidence when you’re able to voice any concerns, needs, or emotions and have faith in yourself while doing so.
7. Stop making assumptions.
Making assumptions can seriously harm your confidence. On the other hand, actively ceasing to make assumptions can boost your self-confidence. Making assumptions about other people, situations, or even just yourself is a slippery slope that leads to a lack of confidence.
You might be surprised to realize how often you make assumptions, especially about other people. For example, you might be afraid to speak up and ask questions at work or school.
Your first thought may be, “But what if everyone thinks I’m dumb for asking this question?” By thinking this, you’re automatically making an assumption that everyone in the room will question your intelligence and competence merely because you asked a question.
If you go into work without assuming that, you’ll feel much more self-assured asking questions, for example.
Although it’s easier said than done, taking a moment to recognize assumptions you make about yourself, other people, or situations can help you avoid a ding to your confidence.
Why Is Self-Confidence Important?
Self-confidence is important because research shows that having confidence in yourself improves not only your social life, but also your health. And these benefits aren’t just brief — they’re long-term benefits.
Researchers found that people who have high levels of self-confidence often have:
Better mental health
Fruitful relationships
Improved physical health
Improved success at work or school
These are just a few reasons why self-confidence is important, but there are plenty of other benefits you can reap from boosting your confidence in yourself.
Best Self-Confidence Quotes
Before we wrap up, here are the best self-confident quotes to inspire and motivate you.
If you’re feeling low or having trouble with motivation, some of the following self-confidence quotes might help:
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” –Maya Angelou
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” –e e cummings
“Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” –Michelle Obama
“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” –Vincent Van Gogh
“It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else’s eyes.” –Sally Field
“Always be yourself — express yourself, have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” –Bruce Lee
“You have no control over other people’s taste, so focus on staying true to your own.” –Tim Gunn
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” –Oscar Wilde
“Tear off the mask, your face is glorious.” –Rumi
Next time you’re feeling low, try reading or even saying some of these self-confidence quotes aloud — it’s an easy way to “trick” your mind into feeling a bit more positive about yourself.
The Bottom Line
Self-confidence is incredibly important and should be a life goal for everyone to improve their own self-confidence. The benefits are essentially endless and the actual process of building up your own confidence doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
By following the above seven ways to improve your self-confidence, you’ll be able to start your own journey to improvement. Just remember to have patience with yourself and to recognize that every person is on their own journey.
