“Your technical skills are where they need to be, but you need to improve your communication.” - Your manager. This is one of the hardest pieces of feedback to hear as a software engineer. Why? Because you probably thought as a software engineer you can just speak code.
A lot of great tips! Public speaking can be challenging for many and your article provides a cheat sheet to get started. The most important tip is to actually get started with public speaking.
I used to do the power roar to feel the confidence so totally relate to it.
Just found your substack through the Pointer.io newsletter. I look forward to read more of you.
Public speech is an important topic that's too often neglected in our trainings as software people. I mean, computers are great but you got to talk to people at some point 😅.
For me the best tip is practice. Practice makes perfect. Or at least more comfortable speaking to an audience or simply to your colleagues.
Wow, you went above and beyond with this one, Jordan!
Concise and actionable. The most important part is starting. Going one day to the gym won't get you fit, repeating and creating a feedback loop will do.
I knew a few of these, but most of them were new learnings. Thanks a lot for putting together such a complete handbook on public speaking :)
Great guide Jordan. Particularly can relate with hands. You can quickly forget about them, but very important to not cross them. Crossing them already means, that you are being "defensive".
While sitting and talking in person I find myself crossing my arms. It’s a comfortable way to remove weight off my shoulders 😅. However, like you mentioned above, this makes me look closed off.
Lately I’ve been recognizing when I do this and try to position my arms and posture in a more welcoming manner. Especially important when I want feedback or questions.
Wow. This is a fascinating read! Packed with great tips, further reading and other resources.
I can specifically relate to the Body posture section, which I got inspired and put to action from Dr. Amy Cuddy's highly popular TED talks - Fake it till you make it.
I am hearing the content organisation structure - Problem - Agitate - Solution etc for the first time. I would definitely try this.
I'm not sure, if you have already covered this in any of your newsletters already. I would like to read more on the usage of story telling in public speaking. I've seen some folks nailed it using their extraordinary story telling skills.
I can imagine understanding all these, how "best of the best" speaker, Jordan would be. Highly recommended article for any aspiring public speakers; especially software engineers.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Jordan. Looking forward to reading your upcoming articles.
A lot of great tips! Public speaking can be challenging for many and your article provides a cheat sheet to get started. The most important tip is to actually get started with public speaking.
I used to do the power roar to feel the confidence so totally relate to it.
I have a presentation soon and wanted to go over this article again. Thanks for these amazing tips, I have always found your content valuable :)
Just found your substack through the Pointer.io newsletter. I look forward to read more of you.
Public speech is an important topic that's too often neglected in our trainings as software people. I mean, computers are great but you got to talk to people at some point 😅.
For me the best tip is practice. Practice makes perfect. Or at least more comfortable speaking to an audience or simply to your colleagues.
Cheers
Awesome insights and tips👍
Or instead, make a platform writing :)
Such a wonderfully detailed break down of ways to improve public speaking and why it matters for software engineers!
Wow, you went above and beyond with this one, Jordan!
Concise and actionable. The most important part is starting. Going one day to the gym won't get you fit, repeating and creating a feedback loop will do.
I knew a few of these, but most of them were new learnings. Thanks a lot for putting together such a complete handbook on public speaking :)
I didn’t know about the rhythm. Always good to find something more to learn here. Thanks.
Great guide Jordan. Particularly can relate with hands. You can quickly forget about them, but very important to not cross them. Crossing them already means, that you are being "defensive".
Love these tips Jordan!
I've always said to college engineering majors.
If you're communication skills are a 2/10, no one will pay enough attention to realize your 8/10 technical skills.
Communication skills is the 1st filter people use when they decide if they want to work with you, hire you, or form a relationship with you.
That is really good! Complete and concise at the same time.
Now, instead of giving tips to my team, I can forward them directly to this piece.
Thank you!
Very well crafted tips. Thanks Jordan for sharing
Great tips!
While sitting and talking in person I find myself crossing my arms. It’s a comfortable way to remove weight off my shoulders 😅. However, like you mentioned above, this makes me look closed off.
Lately I’ve been recognizing when I do this and try to position my arms and posture in a more welcoming manner. Especially important when I want feedback or questions.
Excellent advice, I never knew what to do with my hands! Also great timing, much needed before my talk Elevate.
Thank you for mentioning my article! 🙏🏻
Wow. This is a fascinating read! Packed with great tips, further reading and other resources.
I can specifically relate to the Body posture section, which I got inspired and put to action from Dr. Amy Cuddy's highly popular TED talks - Fake it till you make it.
I am hearing the content organisation structure - Problem - Agitate - Solution etc for the first time. I would definitely try this.
I'm not sure, if you have already covered this in any of your newsletters already. I would like to read more on the usage of story telling in public speaking. I've seen some folks nailed it using their extraordinary story telling skills.
I can imagine understanding all these, how "best of the best" speaker, Jordan would be. Highly recommended article for any aspiring public speakers; especially software engineers.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Jordan. Looking forward to reading your upcoming articles.
I actually wrote a post with a completely different approach to this exact problem.
https://albertcory50.substack.com/p/public-speaking-for-engineers