Explanation of the importance of good character in public speaking. Also refer to speech, honesty, honorable, reliable, responsible, lie, cheat, steal, lazy, reputation, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Character and the Public Speaker
by Ron Kurtus (23 May 2002)
In your role as a public speaker--whether professionally, on the job or for enjoyment--it is important to have good character. Being honorable and honest in the work you do and in your relations to others is essential in speaking and in your profession. Having an honorable character also provides you with personal benefits and can enhance your career.
Questions you may have include:
- What does having character mean?
- What are the benefits to a speaker?
- How does a public speaker show character?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of this lesson.
Having character
Having character means that you are honorable and honest, have integrity, and are reliable and responsible. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are people who lie, cheat, or steal. They may also be lazy, unreliable or inconsiderate of others.
It is obvious that honesty and integrity is important in the workplace, as well as from the speaking lectern. The same is true for reliability and other forms of character. The public speaker must be ethical and conscientious in his or her activities. This is especially important when making presentations to a group.
Having an honorable character is a natural progression from being healthy, skilled, excellent, and valuable to the audience.
Importance and benefits
Being a person and speaker of high character is important to your relationship with other people, your career and your own self worth.
If you are known as an honest and honorable speaker, and a person who is reliable and responsible, those with whom you deal will respect you. Your speaking audience, as well as your fellow workers and supervisors will trust you, know they can depend on you and want to hear what you have to say.
People certainly don't want to listen to a speech from someone who lies, steals or is immoral.
Another important factor is that being an honorable public speaker gives you greater self-esteem. You feel good about yourself. Finally, there is the religious aspect of being honest, moral and ethical.
Maintain character
Your actions determine what people think of you and establish your reputation. They also determine how others will respond to what you do and say. The way to have character is to always make sure that you are honest, honorable and forthright. Make sure there is no implication of dishonesty in any form.
You should also seek to be considerate of others and conscientious in your public speaking. This doesn't mean that you have to be perfect, but it does mean that you are trying to be someone of high character.
Summary
A public speaker needs to be honest and reliable. Your reputation affects how people deal with you. Having good character results in others respecting you and increases your own esteem. Having character requires a constant effort.
Always do the right thing
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Web sites
Books
Top-rated books on Public Speaking
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. Should you tell off-color jokes to keep the audience interested in your speech?
2. Why is reliability important for a speaker?
3. How can you, as a speaker, get a reputation of having character?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Public Speaking. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Character and the Public Speaker