When you think of the phrase “public speaking” what is your gut reaction? Does it make you a little scared or apprehensive? Does it bring to mind a room filled with people with you in the front sweating nervously? Or does a rush of adrenaline surge through you? Does the thought of having that much influence on a group of people seem exciting? Your feelings about public speaking could resemble any of these examples. Public speaking does not have to be scary at all. You would be amazed at how much fun it is. You will also be amazed at how good you will become at it.
Here is the truth of the matter: as a future doctor of chiropractic, you will have to become proficient at public speaking. I am not talking necessarily about having to speak to a large room filled with people. Let’s face it, as chiropractic students, very few of us have a lot of public speaking experience. This lack of experience may cause you to feel apprehensive in a speaking situation.
Guess what? We grow in life by moving out of our comfort zone and picking up new skills. You are doing that right now by going through chiropractic school. Just think of how you felt that first day of school, and now look at you! Your adjusting, learning and communication skills are growing each day because you are working at them.
Public speaking is a skill just like anything else. The key is to initially perform your speaking in arenas that are safe, fun and interesting to you. I am going to give you ideas on how to get yourself more comfortable with speaking to others, whether it be one on one or to a group.
To Improve Your Public Speaking Skills:
1. Participate in study groups in school or become a peer tutor.
When you are part of a study group or tutor, there are multiple opportunities for you to help your fellow students understand concepts or ideas they are confused about. This requires you to sit, focus and explain what is happening. Each person you work with is unique, just like our patients. The way you explain something to one person may be completely different than for another.
The versatility you begin to develop in your communication helps you prepare for dealing with patients and effectively speaking to small and large groups of people when they ask questions.
2. Join technique clubs and eventually become an officer in the club.
Participating in technique clubs on campus is not only a great way to pick up new chiropractic skills, but it again puts you in contact with multitudes of people who you can work with and help. Becoming an officer puts you in a position of authority and responsibility and gives you a chance to hone your communication and organizational skills.
3. Look for leadership roles in student government or other school activities.
Student government is always an important entity for the student body. Plus, holding a position will put you out there and offer a gentle introduction to speaking publicly. You interact with a lot of people and learn to tackle some very important issues that affect not only yourself, but many others. Oftentimes, student government officers will have the opportunity to talk with school administrators, officers from other schools and participate in seminars and conferences in places across the world.
4. Observe and talk with your instructors.
With so many hours of schooling, it is easy to zone out at times. Classes can be long and arduous. You can learn something from every teacher you have had or will have in school. These teachers are public speakers. Watch their tempo, their intonation, their facial/hand gestures. When they have office hours, go and talk with them. Aside from having questions about the material they are teaching, speak to them about what they love about teaching. Use the wisdom of others to shorten your learning curve.
5. Use your student clinic experience as a roadmap for your practice life.
Every interaction you have with a patient in student clinic is important. From the day you start treating your fellow students to the last outpatient you treat, the effort you put in is one step closer to success in chiropractic. When you start treating other students, it is a nice way to begin patient interactions and discover the communication skills that will be successful for you.
Even when you start treating outpatients, it is done under the watchful eyes of clinicians whose job will be to make sure you are performing your best. As you work with people, you learn how to explain information efficiently and effectively. Use the knowledge that these clinicians have gained to polish your delivery and hone your speaking skills.
I know it seems like a lot of work, but anything in life that is worth having always is. Public speaking can be as easy and fun as you want it to be, and it will help you be an effective communicator and chiropractor.
