33. Why Technical Professionals Need Excellent Public Speaking Skills

“Ideas are worthless unless you can make them heard.” — Phil Cooke, media consultant and speaker

  

You were immersed in engineering or scientific matters in your engineering school or school of science. 

You then work in industry or government where you want to practice engineering and science.

Somewhere along the way, hopefully early, you realize you must “sell” your ideas to get ahead. It comes as a shock. You thought all you needed to succeed was sound engineering or science. 

Unfortunately, unless you can convey your thoughts intelligently in public, there will be a ceiling on your advancement.

In this podcast, we will explore three reasons technical professionals need excellent public speaking skills.

References

• Gallo, C. (2014). Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds. St. Martin’s Press.
• National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2023). Job Outlook Survey.
• https://www.naceweb.org
• Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Ibarra, H., & Hunter, M. (2007). How Leaders Create and Use Networks. Harvard Business Review.
• Carnegie Mellon University Career Center. (2021). Top Skills for Engineers Beyond the Lab.
• Arruda, W. (2013). Ditch. Dare. Do!: 3D Personal Branding for Executives. Wiley.
• Duarte, N., & Sanchez, P. (2016). Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols. Portfolio.
• Zak, P. J. (2014). Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling. Harvard Business Review.
• Pentland, A. (2012). The New Science of Building Great Teams. Harvard Business Review.