Clearly communicating our ideas into public setting is critical for any leaders or entrepreneurs. Today we welcome Tricia Richards-Service, PhD, a Communication Professional, Author, and Founder and CEO of I Need A Speaker, a platform with a mission to make public speaking more diverse combined with a global directory helping connect speakers with audiences. 

Richards-Service’s mission with I Need A Speaker is to help amplify the new voices.Once she learned that over 65% of all conference speakers were men, she realizes that the statistic needs to be changed. She explained that in order for us to be informed and open to new perspectives, we need to hear from speakers of all background.

Our host John Rebecchi (M.B.A. ’83), Ph.D. discuss with Richards-Service ways to overcome barriers of communication. She recommends the best way is to practice is by starting to speak to smaller groups then evolve to larger groups. Offer to speak or give presentations amongst peers, within clubs, originations or a toast at a wedding. Richards-Service added that all of these opportunities to practice will help build our confidence level overtime. Storytelling, she added is the “key element to having people remember your message.” The second part is to add emotions so audiences will resonate and letting our personality and passion shine through our message.

Richards-Service shares that public speaking forces us to organize our thoughts, stay true to one’s mission and improve on the communication skill. This is essential for entrepreneurs, when speaking to investors, potential clients, customers or internal team. She believes practicing public speaking also helps present one as an expert on a subject matter and can be used for credibility for oneself and the business.

By Patthara Chandaragga

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