The Secret to Great Public Speaking (No, It's Not Confidence) | Jess Ekstrom | TEDxSugar Creek Women

Core Argument - Public speaking is not about self-importance but about serving the audience's needs [2][3] - Shifting focus from being a "spotlight speaker" (focused on self-perception) to a "lighthouse speaker" (focused on the listener's needs) is key to effective public speaking [3][4] - Authenticity and relatability are more important than perfection or forced confidence in connecting with an audience [3][5] Overcoming Fear and Vulnerability - The fear of public speaking often stems from the pressure to be perfect, which creates vulnerability [3] - Traditional advice to "speak up" or "take up space" can be ineffective as it shifts the focus back to the speaker [3] - Relatability makes a speaker more reliable and creates a stronger connection with the audience [3] Practical Application - To become a better public speaker, one should focus on delivering valuable information that serves the audience [2][3] - Great speakers prioritize the audience's importance over their own [3] - Understanding the listener's needs and having a strong belief in one's ability to help are crucial for effective communication [5]