When looking for advice in public speaking techniques, it is easy to lose sight of some of the most powerful and simple techniques that anyone can use to skyrocket their effectiveness as a speaker. Whether you are delivering a speech before a large audience, or simply conducting a business conference call, there are things that can make the difference between capturing or losing credibility with your audience that have nothing to do with the information you are attempting to communicate.

To become an effective speaker, it helps to first become an effective listener. Before you try to do anything to improve your own speaking style, tune up your own listening and observation skills to critique the style other speakers you hear. It is always much easier to have a deeply critical eye for the shortcomings of others than it is to perform an effective self examination. The idea behind this exercise is to look for every little nuance in the presentation style of others that irritates, distracts, or causes you to disconnect or lose interest in what that person had to say. Look for things like annoying mannerisms, nervous repetitive phrasing, irritating gestures, lack of confidence, uncomfortable staring, or anything you can clearly define which weakened that person