For the longest time, I believed public speaking was a skill reserved for CEOs, politicians, executives, and people whose jobs required them addressing large audiences.
As someone who wasn’t pursuing any of those paths, I never saw the need to learn it. I thought I could build a successful career through qualifications, hard work, and experience alone.
That belief remained unchanged until a period of unemployment forced me to ask some difficult questions.
Despite doing everything I thought was necessary to position myself for better opportunities, the results didn’t reflect the effort I was putting in.
Over time, I realized that many of the opportunities I had missed were not because I lacked ability, but because I struggled to clearly communicate my skills, experience, and value.
That realization led me to enroll in a public speaking class, a decision that completely changed how I viewed communication, personal branding, and professional growth.
Unemployment Forced Me to Re-evaluate Everything
During a period of unemployment, I found myself sitting with one uncomfortable question: What am I missing?
On paper, I was doing everything right. I was applying for roles, improving my skills, and trying to position myself as a strong candidate.
But, the outcomes didn’t reflect the effort I was putting in.
It wasn’t immediately obvious what the gap was. I kept assuming it was experience, timing, or competition.
But over time, a pattern started to emerge.
In interviews and conversations, I struggled to clearly express what I could do and the value I brought. I had the skills, but I didn’t have the language to communicate them effectively.
That realization changed everything. It shifted the problem from “I’m not good enough” to “I haven’t learned how to present what I already have.”
And that shift led me to public speaking.
Read More: Lazy or Locked Out? Rethinking the Youth Unemployment Narrative
The Moment Everything Clicked
That’s when I decided to enroll in a public speaking class.
What I expected to learn was how to speak confidently in front of an audience. What I actually learned was how to present myself, communicate value, and articulate who I am.
For the first time, I understood that public speaking is not just about addressing crowds. It is about being able to clearly communicate your ideas, strengths, and vision whenever opportunity presents itself.
How Public Speaking Shapes Your Personal Brand
One of the biggest surprises was meeting incredibly talented people who struggled with the exact same challenge.
They were intelligent, skilled, and ambitious, yet many found it difficult to introduce themselves, explain what they did, or confidently communicate their value.
It made me realize that countless people do not lose opportunities because they lack talent, rather, they struggle to position themselves effectively.
In a world where first impressions matter, your ability to communicate can become the bridge between potential and opportunity.
The Question That Used to Terrify Me: Tell Me About Yourself
Before public speaking, these four words felt like an interrogation.
Every interview seemed to begin with them, and every time, I struggled.
Looking back now, I don’t think I feared interviews themselves. I feared not knowing how to confidently communicate who I was.
Through public speaking I realized that introducing yourself isn’t about reciting achievements. It’s about communicating your story with clarity and confidence.
The Three Pillars That Define Me
One thing public speaking forced me to confront was identity. Before you can communicate your value to others, you need to understand it yourself.
For years, I thought the hardest career question was “What do you want to be?” Looking back, the harder question was: “Who are you?”
Over time, I began to define myself through three pillars that shaped how I think, act, and present myself:
Mindset – Mindset transformed how I viewed challenges and setbacks. Instead of seeing obstacles as signs to quit, I learned to see them as opportunities to adapt and grow.
When nothing seems to be working, mindset often becomes the difference between persistence and surrender.
Purpose – Purpose gave me direction. It helped me focus on what truly mattered and align my actions with the future I wanted to create.
It also taught me the importance of authenticity. People connect more with genuine conviction than perfect words.
Resilience – Resilience taught me to stay teachable, adaptable, and willing to take action even when uncomfortable.
Growth often begins where comfort ends.
My Greatest Public Speaking Achievement
One of the moments I’m most proud of today is standing in front of more than one thousand people and confidently introducing myself.
Years earlier, I would never have imagined myself doing that. The person who once feared speaking about themselves had learned to own their story.
Lessons I Learned Along the Way
You Are a Brand
Whether you realize it or not, people form perceptions about you every day.
The question is whether you’re intentionally shaping that perception or leaving it to chance.
Being a brand isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about clearly communicating who you already are.
The Thirty Seconds Rule
According to author and personal branding trainer Brian Nyambego, the first 30 seconds determine whether you get the opportunity or not.
Whether it’s an interview, networking event, business meeting, or presentation, those first moments matter. Make them count.
Networking Starts with Showing Up
Like many young people, I once believed networking required money, status, or connections.
I eventually learned that networking starts with showing up.
I began attending free events aligned with my interests and goals. More importantly, I challenged myself to engage with people despite my fears.
Every meaningful connection started with a conversation I almost didn’t have.
Start Before You Feel Ready
If there’s one thing public speaking taught me, it’s that confidence is rarely a prerequisite for action.
More often, confidence is the result of action. You don’t always need to feel ready to begin.
Even so, start, learn, adjust and you will eventually grow. The clarity you’re looking for often appears after you’ve taken the first step.
Why Your Voice Matters More Than You Think
Looking back, public speaking did far more than teach me how to stand in front of an audience. It taught me how to communicate my value, embrace my identity, and advocate for myself.
It helped me realize that opportunities don’t always go to the most qualified person in the room. Sometimes they go to the person who can clearly communicate why they belong there.
And perhaps that’s the greatest lesson of all: your voice can open doors that your qualifications alone cannot.
