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My Weakness of Public Speaking

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

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Fear of judgment, physical manifestations of anxiety, strategies for improvement, progress and growth, future goals, in conclusion.

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The 6 most common public speaking strengths and weaknesses (& how to improve)  .

For many people, the idea of having to speak in public is terrifying. In fact, the  National Institute for Mental Health  estimates that roughly 73% of the population has a fear of public speaking. This means that if you’re scared of speaking in public, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is that public speaking is a skill that you can practice and improve.

Since your job may require public speaking to a bigger or lesser extent, it may be a good idea to find out what your public speaking strengths and weaknesses are. Doing so will allow you to capitalize on the former and improve the latter. To get you kickstarted, I have compiled a short overview of common presentation strengths and weaknesses, and steps you can take to improve your public speaking.

Public Speaking Strengths

Before I start delving into common weaknesses in public speaking, it may be useful to first look at what the characteristics of a good public speaker are. So, what are some strengths in public speaking?

1. In-Depth Knowledge of the Topic

One of the surest ways to be an effective public speaker is to know your subject. You can only speak with conviction and confidence if you know what you’re talking about. Even if you’re speaking to an audience who is not trained in your field, they will still pick up on the fact that you’re not really all that knowledgeable, if this is indeed the case. Or, they may just find your speech or presentation one-dimensional and boring.

The danger of not knowing a subject is that you won’t be able to convey the relevant information in a clear and effective way. When a speaker lacks knowledge of a topic, they don’t have the know-how to select only the most important facts and convey these to their audience in a way that captivates and informs. A lack of topic knowledge will also increase your anxiety when speaking because you’ll have to speak from memory instead of sharing your experiences and insights.

2. Interesting To Watch

Even the most knowledgeable person can be boring and uninspiring if they speak in a monotone voice, have no expression on their face, and is generally lacking in energy. How you deliver your speech or presentation is just as important as the content. Effective public speakers project their voice so that audience members can hear them, and also vary their tone and speech patterns so that their delivery is interesting to listen to. In addition, good speakers emphasize important words, while pausing at times to allow their words to sink in. While they definitely use hand gestures, good speakers also guard against repetitive movements or too much movement.

3. Storytelling

People love listening to stories. We are naturally wired that way. Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools a public speaker can use to engage and connect with their audience. Instead of just throwing boring facts and statistics at your audience, you can create context for them through a story.

When you tell a story, whether it’s your own or that of a famous or successful person, it’s much easier for audience members to relate to what you’re saying. And once they relate, they will be far more interested in your message. Effective storytelling is one of the main reasons why TED Talks are so popular. Just about all the talks on this platform are story-driven.

Read More: 8 Storytelling Techniques to Improve Your Storytelling and Presentation Skills

Public Speaking Weaknesses

Public speaking can be challenging. Apart from remembering the content, you need to grab and hold the attention of your audience and effectively deliver your message. If you’re wondering “What are my weaknesses in presentations,” this is a good starting point. Understanding where your weaknesses lie will enable you to improve on them. Here are a few examples of common public speaking weaknesses:

It can be very daunting to stand in front of an audience. I have had moments of memory lapse and stage fright in my life, and they were not pleasant. During such moments, it becomes abundantly clear what Hans Christian Andersen’s emperor must feel like when he is walking naked through the streets. Although it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous before a speech or presentation, continuous and excessive anxiety can have a detrimental effect on your performance.

2. Poor Stage Presence and Technique

Some people are lucky. They are natural performers. The rest of us, however, have to work on our stage presence and public speaking techniques. One of the most common weaknesses of public speakers is that they simply lack knowledge of the art of public speaking. As I stated before, how you say something is just as important as what you are saying.

Many public speakers are just plain boring to watch and listen to. Others make technical blunders, such as speaking too softly or too fast, making irritating and distracting movements, or using convoluted sentences and jargon that only an expert will understand.

3. Not Connecting With an Audience

One of the biggest errors a public speaker can make is to underestimate or overestimate an audience, or to talk about things that are completely irrelevant to them. Many public speakers make the mistake of writing speeches that they find interesting and relatable without considering who their  target audience  is. When they deliver their speeches, they may be surprised to see their audience’s eyes glaze over. The problem, of course, is that the audience members simply can’t relate to the content.

In addition, many public speakers are unable to pick up on the energy or vibe of an audience. Instead of, for instance, adopting a more casual tone and using more slang when they realize they have a young and hip audience, an ineffective public speaker will simply continue as planned. Such an approach is a sure way to alienate an audience.

How To Improve Your Public Speaking

Fortunately, there are tried-and-tested ways to improve your public speaking weaknesses. Whether you experience paralyzing stage fright or tend to bore your audience to tears, don’t despair. You can improve your public speaking in many ways. Here are a few tips you can consider if you want to learn about how to improve public speaking weaknesses:

Be Prepared

So, how do public speakers overcome their fear? All experienced public speakers will tell you that the most effective way to curb anxiety is to be prepared. By prepared, I don’t mean memorizing your speech by heart. A good public speaker doesn’t memorize their speeches word for word but rather remembers key points. If you really know your subject, this strategy will be totally doable. Also, telling stories instead of just regurgitating facts eliminates the need for memorizing your words.

To learn how to cope with stage fright and anxiety, you should present your speech or presentation to a group of people before the actual event, whether they are friends, family members, or coworkers. In the end, public speaking is a performance, and you should tackle it like one from the get-go.

Practice, Practise, Practice

As is the case with most things in life, you can dramatically improve your public speaking ability by spending more time and effort honing the skill. When you are rehearsing for an upcoming talk, it’s a good idea to practice in front of a mirror so that you can see things like your posture and body language.

You can also record yourself on your mobile. Doing so will provide you with a more objective view of what you look and sound like when you talk. Even better, get a friend to make the recording so that you also have an audience member who can provide you with helpful feedback.

Learn From Experts

Do you want to learn more about public speaking strengths and weaknesses and what makes a good or bad speaker? Studying good public speakers is an effective way of learning what works and what doesn’t. From those who already can, you can learn how to weave storytelling into your talks, use effective gestures, and keep your audience captivated.

In addition, reading books, blogs, and articles can also be helpful if you’re trying to learn the art of public speaking. If you’re really serious about improving your public speaking, you can always hire a public speaking or drama coach for one-on-one lessons.

Focus on Your Audience and Your Message

In the end, you wish to bring a message across and affect an audience when you deliver a speech, whether you’re talking about improving a company’s sales revenue or saving the Amazon rainforest. First, when you write your speech or presentation, you should consider whom you’ll be talking to. An important factor to consider is whether the audience will have some knowledge of the subject, or will likely be laymen. Other factors include their age and socio-economic status.

Once you’ve pinpointed who your target audience will be, you should craft your content in such a way that they will be able to relate. Talk about experiences they have likely had, movies they have probably watched, and people they likely know and admire.

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How To Stop Shaking When Nervous (Public Speaking Tips And Tactics)

Jenny Palmer

Founder of Eggcellentwork.com. With over 20 years of experience in HR and various roles in corporate world, Jenny shares tips and advice to help professionals advance in their careers. Her blog is a go-to resource for anyone looking to improve their skills, land their dream job, or make a career change.

Further Reading...

Goals For Public Speaking: How To Set SMART Goals For Success

3 Reasons you’re Wondering “Why Can’t I Articulate My Thoughts Clearly?”, and What to Do About It

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Public speaking is a critical, but often underdeveloped, skill among higher education professionals. Your ability to convey ideas with confidence and clarity is essential for articulating the importance of your research, getting buy-in for your projects and obtaining funding from sponsors.

Many people are afraid of public speaking. They think that effective public speakers are “naturals” who were born with strong oratory skills. Luckily, it is practice and not genetics that will make you a better public speaker. With practice and a few tips, you can improve your skills in a relatively short amount of time. This article will discuss five tips to becoming a better public speaker.

WAIT Method

WAIT stands for Why Am I Talking ? Before you jump right into making Powerpoint slides or writing a speech, take some time to think about why you’re speaking and what you want the audience to remember. That is, begin with the end in mind (habit number two from Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ). For example, pick three things you want people to take away from your presentation and then work backward. A clear understanding of your end goal will keep your thoughts cohesive as you prepare. More details can be found on Loren Ekroth’s webpage .

10/20/30 Rule

Introduced by the entrepreneur, author and speaker Guy Kawasaki, the general idea behind the 10/20/30 rule is that your Powerpoint presentations for most talks should:

• Have only 10 slides
• Last no more than 20 minutes
• Use 30 point font or greater so the audience can actually read your slides.

Keep in mind that these guidelines were created with the business community in mind and may not always apply to academic situations (e.g., dissertation defenses). However, it’s worth noting that our attention spans are short. There’s nothing worse than listening to a talk that goes on and on, or seeing slides that you can’t read.

Content Over Medium

The content of your presentation is far more important than fancy slides without substance. Powerpoint is a wonderful tool; however, it isn’t a requirement for effective presentations. Let’s repeat. Powerpoint isn’t a requirement for effective presentations.

Sometimes speaking without Powerpoint slides is even more effective and engaging. This may be especially true if you’re sharing aspects about your life (e.g., how you landed in higher education) or giving a motivational speech.

Unfortunately, Powerpoint is often used as a script instead of the visual aid tool it was designed to be. Using the analogy of a music concert, you are the lead singer and Powerpoint is your backup singers -- there to support you, but not the main focus. You are the show.

If you choose to use Powerpoint slides, avoid common Powerpoint mistakes like reading every slide and presenting crowded tables. Your audience will thank you.

Control the Controllables

The marketing and management consultant Somers White once said, “90 percent of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.” Reduce your public speaking anxiety by following these steps:

• Organize your thoughts. This blueprint for a presentation by Eleni Kelakos is a good guide.
• Decide which format is best (Powerpoint, no slides and/or paper handouts).
• Practice by yourself and refine.
• Practice in front of others and refine.
• Time yourself. Staying within allotted time limits is crucial.
• Decide what you’re going to wear. Be comfortable, but look professional.

If possible, practice in the room where you’ll be speaking. Test the equipment to make sure it works. If using your own laptop, remember to bring your charger and adapters. This is especially true for Mac users. Also ask about:

• Wireless clickers
• Laser pointers
• Internet connections
• Sound system
• Microphones

Speaking of microphones, please use one if you’ll be in a large room. As we present, our voices get tired. Tiredness makes it hard to project our voices to the back of the room. If people can’t hear you, then you’ve missed an important opportunity and wasted everyone’s time, including yours. Lastly, if you have interactive exercises or surveys that require writing, be sure to bring pens.

Body Language and Other Distractions

A few years ago, I attended a job talk. The candidate -- we'll call him John -- had great training and an interesting program of research. Unfortunately, all I remember about John’s talk is that he spoke too fast, fidgeted a lot and rambled during the Q and A. He didn’t seem prepared, and he didn’t get the job. The selected candidate was probably a better fit overall for the department. However, I still wonder if John’s poor public speaking skills were a factor in the final decision.

Keep these things in mind when you’re giving presentations:

• Make good eye contact and scan the room. Force yourself to look to the left, center and right portions of the room.
• Eliminate filler words like um and ah . Take a pause instead.
• Reduce excessive hand movements, including taking your hands in and out of pockets.
• Try not to sway or rock in place.

Finally, it’s okay to move around the stage and interact with the audience. If you do so, use a wireless microphone so the audience can hear you.

For more information on public speaking, check out Toastmasters International , a nonprofit organization focused on public speaking and leadership development. If you own a smartphone, this article, Fearless Public Speaking: 6 Apps to Help You Prepare for Presentations (pages 46 and 47), may also be helpful.

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10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

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2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

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About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

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Public Speaking Weakness

How to answer "what is your biggest weakness"

What is Your Biggest Weakness?

Every interviewee who has ever sat down with an employer during an interview has been asked “What is your biggest weakness?”, and many find it very frustrating. Why ask the question if the employer knows they are very likely to get a fake answer like, “I’m too much of a perfectionist”?

Well, believe it or not, your employer is actually paying more attention to how you answer the question rather than to what your answer is.  In this guide, we’ll show you how having a public speaking weakness could be the best way to get around this challenging question.

Check out some of our interview guides to get a better understanding of how the way you respond could be more important than the actual answers to interview questions.

To learn more, check out our free interview guides on:

• Equity research questions
• Investment banking questions
• Credit analyst questions
• FP&A questions

Some mistakes people make

There are multiple techniques that individuals use to try and appeal to their employer when asked this question about a weakness, and the truth is, most of those techniques don’t actually work. Here is a list of techniques you want to avoid:

• Spin a negative into a positive – Saying things like “sometimes I think I am too much of a perfectionist”, is advised by a lot of interview guides to try and turn the biggest weakness of the individual into something that is desired by the employer. There are many things wrong with this technique. First off, it does not make you stand out because a lot of interviewees attempt this technique. Secondly, the employer is smarter than you think, they can see right through what you are trying to do and that usually does not bode well for the rest of the interview.
• Deny having any weaknesses – This is more uncommon among interviewees but there are still a substantial amount that use this technique. This answer is usually given when candidates get nervous during an interview and are afraid of saying something wrong. This answer also gives the impression that you are hiding something, so it is best to avoid using this technique even though some interviewees believe it makes them seem like a perfect candidate. No one is perfect.
• Stating any weaknesses that raise red flags – It is important that you are honest during your interview. But sometimes, being too honest prevents you from landing that job you want. Candidates who walk into the interview and give an honest answer to this question, saying something like “I think my biggest weakness is not being a consistent worker”, get credit for honesty but aren’t likely to get the job after having confessed to a major employee defect.

Hopefully, by now, you are starting to recognize why we are suggesting that having a public speaking weakness could be a good strategy.

Why you should answer with the Public Speaking Weakness

The amount of public speaking that an individual is required to do is highly correlated to their position. If you were to be in a financial analyst position, there would be rarely any public speaking required of you, and, thus, it’s a fairly safe interview answer to say you have a public speaking weakness.

Conversely, if you’re in a more senior position, public speaking is probably something you are required to do on a much more regular basis. This brings us back to how you should answer the main question, “What is your biggest weakness?”. You might try using the same method, but come up with a different answer.

Depending on the position you are applying for, using the public speaking weakness response could be a strategically safe answer and there are multiple reasons for this. First, it is a relatively honest answer which does not include any of the mistakes mentioned earlier.

Secondly, it may not even be a requirement for the particular position you are applying for, which means you have answered the question safely and have not harmed yourself or your chances of landing the position. Again, keep in mind that this answer is dependent on the position you are applying for. You may want to avoid using this answer if you are applying for higher-level positions.

• FP&A interview questions
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10 tips to ace the rest of the interview

Now that you have aced the biggest question with the ultimate public speaking weakness answer, here are some tips that can aid you in the rest of the interview:

• Be confident – Make sure to give a strong, firm handshake accompanied by your best smile when you walk into the room and greet your prospective employer.
• Practice – Drafting some questions that you think your employer might ask you and practicing responses prior to your interview can really make a difference in how you perform in the interview.
• Be calm – Although many candidates find it difficult to do so, just remember that an interview is basically a simple conversation between you and your employer. Your employer really only wants to know more about you. It is not an interrogation.
• Show up early – A lot of interviewees find it helpful when they show up approximately 15 minutes prior to their interview time. This allows them to calm their nerves and clear their head while they wait, which allows them to enter the interview feeling ready and worry-free.
• Dress to impress – The way you present yourself through answering interview questions is one half of the interview. The other half is how you present yourself through your choice of clothing. A clean suit and tie can really go a long way in letting your employer know that you have prepared for this interview.
• Do research on the company you’re applying for – A lot of the times, candidates find themselves more confident when they do research into the company prior to the interview. This aids them in better understanding what it is they are applying for and gives them a leg up in the interview process because they become more comfortable with the company.
• Body language – Do not slouch in your seat. This gives off the impression that you are not taking the interview seriously. Instead, sit up high and straight.
• Bring a copy of your resume – Sometimes your employer may not have a copy of your resume on hand because it got lost. As a nice way of providing for your employer and also looking super prepared, make sure to bring an extra copy for them.
• Speak loud and clear – The way you speak is very telling to your employer. If you are too quiet, your employer will think you are too shy and this could affect your chances of landing the position. Speaking out loud and clearly not only lets your employer know you are confident but it also ensures that there is no miscommunication during the interview process.
• Ask insightful questions – Usually, at the end of the interview, your employer will ask you if you have any questions. This is the time to ask questions based on the research you did on the company to demonstrate that you are really enthusiastic about being a part of their team.

Turning a public speaking weakness into a strength

If you want to get over your public speaking weakness, consider joining Toastmasters .

Toastmasters offers an easy, low-pressure environment to work on your public speaking skills and, most importantly, to learn from others.

Whether or not you actually have a public speaking weakness, there are a wide range of skills that are critical in the business world.  Check out these other topics which provide important information for advancing your career in corporate finance.

• Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
• How to Get Hired as an Analyst
• What is Financial Modeling?
• Free Interview Guides
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Is Public Speaking a Weakness?

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking

When we hear the word public speaking, we imagine a confident, well-dressed speaker who not only hooks you from the very beginning of their speech but also carries an aura that is unmatchable. So essentially we tend to see public speaking as someone’s strength! But have you ever thought of public speaking as a weakness?

Public speaking is an act of presenting a speech, presentation, or topic in front of an audience with the idea of sharing one’s opinions, discoveries, stories, and more.  

Having good public speaking skills gives others the impression that you are confident, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to ; all of which are widely appreciated traits.

Can Public speaking be a weakness?

Yes! Public speaking can be a weakness for some people . And it is totally okay!

If you happen to be one of them, don’t worry. This blog is here to guide you toward becoming a more confident public speaker.

Why is public speaking a weakness?

Speaking in front of a crowd or a team has become a very important part of our everyday life. So it doesn’t matter if you like it or you don’t. There will be times when you will be bound to take the role of a public speaker. 

From presenting your topic in front of your classmates in schools or colleges to giving interviews and conducting meetings, public speaking is a very important skill to have. 

Further, public speaking is a good way to reach out to a large number of people. It strengthens your confidence in yourself and your ability to communicate your point effectively to others. 

So is public speaking a positive weakness?

Weaknesses are not positive or negative but can be seen as areas that need some improvement . And public speaking isn’t a weakness in itself. Instead, there are a few elements that you might have to improve upon to not see public speaking as a weakness.

These elements may include unstructured speech, poorly researched content, poor delivery, overuse of fillers , and more.

For instance, you might have enough knowledge about the topic that you’ll be speaking about. And may even have prepared a structured speech but if you are not able to deliver it effectively, it becomes a weakness.

So rather than seeing public speaking as a weakness, you can see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to identify what is it that is coming in your way of being an effective public speaker? Once you find that out, you can work on it and stop seeing public speaking as a weakness.

Let us now try to identify what might be the possible reasons that are making you think of public speaking as a weakness.

Reasons why you may see public speaking as a weakness?

Some of the biggest reasons why public speaking can be a weakness for you are listed below. Try to understand which all relate to you, list them down, and later work on overcoming them.

Is the fear of public speaking a weakness?

Yes! In fact, the fear of public speaking is very common. This fear of public speaking usually begins from a very small thought like “What if I don’t perform well? What will everyone think of me?”

In short. fear of public speaking stems from a fear of being judged by our audience.

2. Lack of Practise

There is a possibility that public speaking is not your weakness. But your lack of practice is what is coming in your way of being an effective public speaker.

Lack of practice would make even a well-researched and most interesting content very bleak.

3. Lack of control

When you are performing in front of an audience, all you have control over is yourself and your presentation or props. You can never gauge your audience’s reaction or enthusiasm. This brings the element of uncertainty and loss of control on your part.

The audience may ask some questions that you might have no clue about, or they might not seem very interested. You might find that out by the number of people falling asleep or talking on their phones while you present your topic to them.

Such a lack of control instills tons of anxiety in the speaker . This anxiety then makes the speaker go blank or comes in the way of effective public speaking.

How do improve public speaking weaknesses?

1. know your topic well.

The first thing that you need to understand when you are presenting a speech or a presentation in front of an audience is to have enough knowledge about your topic .

Not knowing your topic well enough can be very detrimental to your credibility .

For this, it is ideal to spend enough time researching your topic.

When it comes to research you might want to check out credible sources like the ones available on government portals or surveys. You can also include findings of papers that have been cited by a considerably large number of people.

Also, make sure to check out the latest developments happening around your topic. See if there was anything in the news recently that the audience could question you on.

2. Structure your speech

Structuring your speech is very important as it can help you identify the flow of your speech . It also helps you recall the information quickly to avoid going blank on stage.

Further structuring your speech or presentation rids of going back and forth in your speech and thus giving your audience a chance to understand your content quickly and easily.

3. Practice

Practice plays a crucial role when it comes to effective public speaking. It is very easy for the audience to identify speakers who haven’t practiced their content well enough.

Poorly practiced speeches or presentations might involve going back and forth in your speech, saying a lot of filler words like uhs and ums, being very still while speaking, not having enough knowledge about the topic or the presentation, and more.

To avoid any of them to happen to you, we advise you to practice!

You can practice your speech in front of your family or friends. You can also video record yourself and then go back and observe the places where you shall improve to effectively present your speech to your audience.

4. Use psychological Techniques

Priming is a technique wherein you trick your mind to feel a certain way . So for instance, if you feel nervous before your presentation or speech, the idea is to think confident and positive thoughts continuously until your mind starts feeling the same energy and positivity.

You can also try to prime yourself by adding value to the audience rather than focusing constantly on your appearance and body language.

Conversion Emotion Rule

Your arms are sweaty; you are walking back and forth, talking very fast and breathing heavily.  That is how we describe fearing right? But if you take a look from another perspective, you’ll realize that these are the same emotions we feel when we are excited!

So what you can do to get rid of your fear of public speaking is to treat it as an exciting opportunity .

Tell yourself that you are not afraid of public speaking; you are just excited to speak in front of people and be heard.

Brendon Burchard Rule

Brendon Burchard ’s theory on fears is very simple. He talks about how when we fear something or are nervous about something, we instantly end up thinking about the worst possible scenario that would follow.

So if you are nervous about speaking on stage, you might have thoughts like “what if I don’t remember my line? People will think I’m so dumb and unprepared.”

The idea is to avoid such thoughts or rather try to overpower them by thinking of positive outcomes instead. So in the example above you can think something like “I have prepared enough number of times and am confident that I would be able to recall all the information on stage.”

Check out the video below to know more about psychological hacks to beat stage fright.

5. Interact with the audience

One of the major reasons why you might find your audience yawning or uninterested in your speech or presentation is because it involves only you. Or rather it involves you talking about something on a stretch!

To overcome this you can try to engage the audience.

You can do that by implementing any of the following in your speech or presentation:

Humor adds a little extra charm to your speech that the audience might be looking for. To make your speech or presentation less monotonous, adding a joke or 2 never hurts. It also keeps the audience interested in what you have to say.

If you are looking for an example of how to use humor in public speaking, check out the video below

Props are very effective when it comes to getting your point across as it provides something that the audience can view it and understand what you are trying to say better.

Anything can be used as a prop, from a half-filled glass to a rose.

Check out the video below to see how Dananjaya Hettiarachchi made use of a rose as a prop in the world championship of public speaking in 2014.

The most convenient way of delivering effective presentations or speeches is through stories. And if you see public speaking as a weakness, then you must try to add stories to your speech.

The reason is quite simple. Stories easily attract the audience’s attention but at the same time, it makes it easier for you to maintain a flow .

Think about it, the polar difference between you giving a speech on global warming versus you talking about your first day of college. Do you now understand how stories can make your speech or presentation effortlessly effective?

6. Sign up for a professional training

The most effective solution to improving public speaking as a weakness is to get advice from a professional who can help you in understanding your public speaking skills better. They usually also provide feedback so you can also check the improvements you make.

If you are looking for a professional to help you navigate your way to becoming an effective and confident public speaker, check out our services at frantically speaking .

Public speaking as a weakness in an interview

One of the most infamous questions in any interview is the one where they ask you “ What is your biggest weakness? ”

And if public speaking is the answer you are planning to give, then you might want to reconsider.

As discussed public speaking and communication skills have become a very crucial part of our everyday life , so telling the interviewers that public speaking is your biggest weakness might lead to an unfavorable outcome for you.

Before telling your interviewers that public speaking is your weakness, check whether public speaking happens to be an important part of the role. If yes, then try your level best to address it.

For instance, if you are applying for an HR job, saying that public speaking is your weakness may cost you that job while it might not affect your prospects of getting a job related to software development.

But if you still want to add public speaking as your weakness, then keep scrolling to see how exactly you should go about it.

How to talk about public speaking as a weakness?

Cases in an interview where you can mention public speaking as a weakness, 1. not a requirement for the position.

It can be justifiable when you say that public speaking isn’t your strong area when you are applying for jobs that don’t require public speaking and hence not being excellent in public speaking would not come in the way of your bagging the role. Job roles like software developers and accountants may be able to add public speaking as a weakness in their interviews.

2. Remote work

Another instance when you can justify public speaking as a weakness is when the job is entirely virtual or remote. In such cases, we assume you are comfortable speaking to large groups through online mode.

In such cases, you can say to the interviewer something like,

“ I believe public speaking is one of my biggest weaknesses. However, I am comfortable speaking to both small and large groups of people online. Being behind the screen, I find it easier to effectively communicate and point my point forward. However, I am also improving my ability to speak in front of large groups in person and am confident of overcoming that soon. ”

3. A safe answer

A safe answer is when you mention public speaking as a weakness but you also give your interviewer an idea of how you are constantly improving your public speaking skills.

An example of this can be,

“I find public speaking a little challenging, however, I believe that every weakness can be overcome by practice and dedication. And I have been consistently improving upon my public speaking skills as well. I have also taken up professional help for the same. I believe, this opportunity will further help me work on my public speaking skills which is also a reason why I look forward to contributing to your esteemed organization.”

Cases in an interview where not mention public speaking as a weakness should

1. when the job asks for it.

If you find “public speaking” or “good communication skills” anywhere in the job description while applying for that particular position then mentioning public speaking as a weakness should be the last thing you should do.

The reason is very simple, the employer will straight up ask you why you applied for the job when it was one of the requirements or may simply sideline your resume.

2. It requires working with customers

Let’s say you are being interviewed for a sales job, but nowhere have they mentioned good communication skills or public speaking skills in the job description. Think to yourself, will it be a good idea to say that public speaking is your biggest weakness for a sales job?

Definitely not.

The reason? Because that is a very basic skill necessary for the job and everyone knows it .

3. It requires working in teams

Any job that requires working in teams would also require you to communicate ideas, strategies, and findings with them. This would mean that you will have to be good at public speaking for the job, at least according to the employer.

Strengths and weaknesses of a public speaker

Strengths of a public speaker, 1. personal factor.

Personal factors would include confidence in oneself and passion for the topic on which are speaking. These are things that cannot be taught but come naturally to people .

For example, someone who is interested in humanities may be able to give a presentation on the laws of physics, however, their lack of passion and understanding of the subject will be easily noticed.

But if the same individual were to present on a topic related to psychology, for instance, they might not only be well versed with the topic but also confident in what are speaking which will reflect on their overall public speaking experience.

2. Repetition of key ideas

When a public speaker keeps reminding the audience of the core idea behind giving the presentation or speech, he or she effectively establishes the takeaway to the audience through constant repetition . 

3. Clarity of content

Having researched thoroughly about the topic, a public speaker often gets clarity and proper understanding of the topic they are presenting. As mentioned, having enough knowledge about your topic is a very important aspect of being an effective public speaker.

4. Nonverbal communication

Non-verbal communication involves the command of one’s body language , tone , pace , and expressions. A good public speaker takes care of all of these along with focusing on the content of their speech.

Weaknesses of a public speaker

1. extensive use of filler words.

The use of filler words like arms and uhs is an indication that either the speaker isn’t well prepared or is not confident enough, both of which give an unpleasant experience to the audience.

2. No interaction with the audience

A public speaker who goes on and on about their topic without taking into consideration their audience turns out to be the most boring experience for the latter. That is the reason why it is suggested to make use of props, stories, and humor to keep the audience interested in what you have to say.

Essay on Public speaking as a weakness

Public speaking is an act of presenting a speech, presentation, or topic in front of an audience with the idea of sharing one’s opinions, discoveries, stories, and more.  Having good public speaking skills gives others the impression that you are confident, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to; all of which are widely appreciated traits.

But unlike general belief, public speaking is not always a strength. In fact, at times it can end up being your biggest weakness.

Public speaking requires the speaker to be well versed with the content that they are presenting or talking about. When the speaker fails to research the topic properly, it reflects on the content being shared with the audience. It may end up being too generic or even biased.

In case the public speaker works on his or her research, he or she may still see public speaking as a weakness when they fail to properly accommodate and structure the information gathered in a way that is both easy to understand and recall for the audience. Weakness in public speaking further comes into the picture when the speaker is not able to reach their audience.

The possible reasons for this could be the heavy use of technical or difficult words and concepts, the use of complex props, or overemphasis on speaking. When the speaker is unable to use tools like props, stories, and humor to engage the audience, it further adds to the boredom of the audience and comes as a barrier to the effective public speaking of the speaker. 

But public speaking is a skill that can both be learned as well as improved on. And practice is what makes it happen!

Practicing in front of family or friends can be effective. Recording one’s speech and improving accordingly can also go a long way in enhancing one’s public speaking skills.

One can also try to add some props. Or make use of easy-to-understand presentations to give a visual explanation to the audience. Lastly, consulting a professional in the field can be a really good idea. They will help you improve quickly in a structured manner with constructive feedback. 

Hence, we realize that public speaking isn’t always a strength for everyone. In fact, it can actually be people’s weakness.

But we must realize that we are not born with poor public speaking skills. And hence possess the capabilities to work upon it and not call it our greatest weakness anymore.

Final Words

Public speaking, despite being seen as a strength, can actually be a weakness for some people. However, we are not born with poor public speaking skills and end up learning to be afraid of public speaking as we grow up. And this means that we can always unlearn and improve upon our public speaking skills.

To identify why you see public speaking as a weakness. Once you get an idea about it, try to find ways in which you can improve those areas where you lack.

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Why Are We Scared of Public Speaking?

Understanding the roots of this common fear can help us conquer it faster..

Posted November 27, 2017 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

• What Is Fear?
• Take our Generalized Anxiety Disorder Test
• Find a therapist to combat fear and anxiety
• There are many benefits to being a good public speaker.
• Fear of public speaking is very common, affecting about 25% of people.
• The fear may be caused by physiology, beliefs, specific situations, or lack of skill.

Communicating your ideas clearly and presenting them openly in a public forum is an essential component of success across several domains of life. Being a good public speaker can help you advance your career , grow your business, and form strong collaborations. It can help you promote ideas and move people to action on issues that affect them directly and society at large. To do any of these things well requires a fair amount of standing in front of an audience and delivering a pitch, an idea, or a body of work. And sometimes the only thing that stands between you and your audience is fear.

Glossophobia —a really cool and geeky name for the fear of public speaking —appears when you are performing or expecting to perform an oral presentation or a speech in front of other people. Fear of public speaking is frequently but incorrectly cited as people’s biggest fear. Fear of public speaking is often not people’s biggest fear; there are many other things that people are really scared of . Nevertheless, fear of public speaking is very common; approximately 25 percent of people report experiencing it.

While some people experience a debilitating form of glossophobia, even a mild form can have devastating effects. Fear of public speaking can prevent you from taking risks to share your ideas, to speak about your work, and to present your solutions to problems that affect many people—and as a result, it can affect how much you grow personally and professionally, and how much impact you can have. At the same time, any negative public speaking experiences will make it less likely that you will speak in public in the future—fear teaches you to protect yourself from risky situations.

Why Are We Afraid of Public Speaking?

Fear of public speaking is not so much related to the quality of a speech as it is to how the speaker feels, thinks, or acts when faced with speaking in public. There are many reasons why people become afraid when having to speak in public. The theories exploring the fear of public speaking have identified four contributing factors:

1. Physiology

Fear and anxiety involve the arousal of the autonomic nervous system in response to a potentially threatening stimulus. When confronted with a threat, our bodies prepare for battle. This hyperarousal leads to the emotional experience of fear, and it interferes with our ability to perform comfortably in front of audiences. Eventually, it prevents people from pursuing opportunities for public speaking.

Some researchers suggest that there are people who generally experience higher anxiety across different situations, and are therefore more prone to feel anxious about speaking in public as well. People who are predisposed to feeling anxious find it more challenging to master their anxiety and conquer their fear of public speaking and will opt to avoid it. For other people, the anxiety is limited to public speaking situations, but the physiological signs of fear they experience as they anticipate, prepare, and perform in public are similar.

Moreover, some people experience what researchers call anxiety sensitivity, or the fear of fear. Anxiety sensitivity means that in addition to being worried about public speaking, people are worried about their anxiety about public speaking and how their anxiety will affect their ability to perform in challenging communication situations. So, along with worrying about whether they will accomplish their objectives with their speech, people with high anxiety sensitivity also worry that they will be overwhelmingly anxious in front of their audience, and they will come across as a shaky speaker.

2. Thoughts

Another factor involves people’s beliefs about public speaking and about themselves as speakers. The fear often arises when people overestimate the stakes of communicating their ideas in front of others, viewing the speaking event as a potential threat to their credibility, image, and chance to reach an audience. Negative views of oneself as a speaker ( I am not good at speaking in front of crowds, I am not a good public speaker, I am boring , etc.) can also raise anxiety and augment the fear of speaking in public.

Some theories make the distinction between a performance orientation and a communication orientation. Performance orientation means you view public speaking as something that requires special skills, and you see the role of the audience as judges who are evaluating how good of a presenter you are. In contrast, communication orientation means that the main focus is on expressing your ideas, presenting information, or telling your story. For people with this orientation, the objective is to get through to their audience the same way they get through to people during everyday conversations.

Think about this in reverse: If you view any conversation that you have in the presence of another person as a form of “public” speaking, you have enough evidence that you can express yourself clearly and communicate effectively. You would then take the same approach to public speaking events where the focus is simply on sharing ideas and information. However, when the focus shifts from being heard and understood to being evaluated, the anxiety tends to be higher.

3. Situations

While there are people who by nature tend to be more anxious, or people who don’t think they are good at public speaking, there are certain situations that are likely to make most of us more anxious when presenting in a public forum.

• Lack of experience. As with anything else, experience builds confidence . When you don’t have a lot of stage hours under your belt, you are more likely to experience fear of public speaking.
• Degree of evaluation. When there is a real or imagined evaluation component to the situation, the fear is stronger. If you are speaking in front of a group of people who have the evaluation forms ready to fill out, you may feel more anxious.
• Status difference. If you are about to speak in front of people of higher status (e.g., people at your workplace in higher positions, or groups of accomplished professionals in your line of work), you may feel a higher dose of fear tingling through your body.
• New ideas. If you are sharing ideas that you have not yet shared in public, you may worry more about how people will receive them. When your public appearance involves presenting something new, you may feel more uncomfortable stating your position, taking questions from the audience, or dealing with those audience members who try to poke holes.
• New audiences. You may already have experience speaking in public and presenting to familiar audiences. You may, for instance, be used to speaking in front of professionals in your area of expertise. Fear may arise, however, when the target audience shifts. If you are standing in front of an audience that is very different from the people you usually speak to, your confidence may be a little shaky.

Finally, another factor that contributes to the fear of public speaking is how skilled you are in this area. While many people consider themselves naturally good speakers, there is always room for growth. The people who work on their skills, instead of relying on natural talent, are the speakers who stand out the most. There are many different approaches to enhancing this skill set and increasing competence in public speaking. Increased competence leads to increased confidence, which is an effective antidote to fear. Nevertheless, confidence alone does not translate into effective public speaking.

The many benefits of sharing information and ideas in public definitely outweigh the need to protect ourselves from the horror of having to speak in front of others. The next logical question is: How do we conquer this fear? Luckily, there are many approaches that work well, both in terms of building skills and boosting confidence.

Read more about how to conquer the fear of public speaking here .

LinkedIn image: fizkes/Shutterstock

Theo Tsaousides, Ph.D. is a neuropsychologist, assistant professor, and author of the book Brainblocks: Overcoming the Seven Hidden Barriers to Success .

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Strengths & Weaknesses

INTRODUCTION : It is an old saw that people fear public speaking more than they fear death. This fear creates a variety of nervous reactions in both young and old speakers (muttering, shifting weight, “um,” leaning on the podium) that is nearly as individual as fingerprints. Therefore, part of my approach at the beginning of each semester is to do all I can to set my speech students at ease. I then help them discover their distracting idiosyncrasies, and we work on eliminating them from their presentations. As students first become aware of their subconscious habits, most bring them under control. However, as the semester progresses, I often notice the poor habits returning. So, I looked for an activity that would bring what we had worked on back in focus without having to go back to the beginning.

Although the activity described here was done to help students become aware of strengths and weakness while giving speeches, it could easily be adapted to helping students identify strengths and weaknesses in other realms of their academic lives. For example, educators could have students focus on their strengths and weaknesses in writing, in doing mathematics, in speaking a foreign language, in taking tests, or (more generally) in being a successful student.

*To help students become aware of positive habits that strengthen their speech presentations *To help students become aware of negative habits that weaken their speech presentations *To help students take responsibility for maximizing their positive habits and minimizing their negative habits when presenting their final speech

SUPPLIES/SET UP:

*Paper and pencil.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Instruct students to take out a pencil and a piece of paper and write four paragraphs. I assured the students that only I would see their writing, so they could be completely candid and honest.

Paragraph 1: Write 3 of your strengths as a persuasive speaker. These can be specific (“I speak loudly and clearly”) or general (“I am intelligent”). These can be self-perceptions or what you believe others think of you. Paragraph 2: Write 3 of your weaknesses as a persuasive speaker. Paragraph 3: Explain how you will use your 3 strengths in your next speech. Paragraph 4: Explain what you will do to overcome your weaknesses in your next speech.

2. Read the responses and compare them with the students’ actual speech delivery. Provide students with feedback on how well they eliminated their weakness and utilized their strengths.

OUTCOME/EXPERIENCES: 

I got a variety of written responses to this activity. Some dealt with the physical presentation: “I have good eye contact,” “I say ‘um’ more than I would like to,” “I feel comfortable,” “I have trouble pernouncing [sic.] big words.” Some dealt with organizational matters: “I don’t need many notes,” “I am well organized,” “I prepare poorly, I hate to write,” “If I know the subject I could talk all day.” These are just a few examples. The strengths everyone handled rather easily, relating them to the assignment at hand. Dealing with their weaknesses seemed to give some of them more trouble although everyone gave themselves good suggestions that came straight out of our discussions and activities from earlier in the semester. The most often stated way of dealing with their distracting habits was to practice! I stress the need for practice often, and more often, and then again. It was heartening to see that they had picked up on the importance of practicing. Some even suggested practicing in front of family members, a difficult proposition for most young people. Some other ideas: “I will work harder on being set in my concentration,” “I will try to relax,” “I won’t write everything out, practice more,” “I will say clear sentences.” Every student identified at least one revealing weakness and came up with a good idea for dealing with it. I thought some would not take the assignment seriously, but that was not the case. Give students responsibility and they will come through, I find.

How did they do in their delivery? The strengths came through readily in the speeches. Those who said they were organized gave organized speeches; those who said they talked loud or had good eye contact did so in their speeches. Here are some examples of the weaknesses, students’ strategies to overcome the weakness, and how they did on their speeches:

• Weakness: “Not much confidence.”
• How to overcome: “Remind myself that I can BS my way through it, if necessary.”
• Outcome: Gave a well-organized, convincing speech. Grade = A
• Weakness: “Little nervous.”
• How to overcome: “Practice.”
• Outcome: Paced back and forth, looked at floor, needed to practice more. Grade = C.
• Weakness: “Move back & forth.”
• How to overcome: “Work on making my movements mean something.”
• Outcome: Received extra credit points for gesturing. Grade = A.
• Weakness: “Talk too fast,” “say the word um,” and “play with my hair.”
• How to overcome: “I will slow my pace down and talk slower. I will try really hard not to say the word ‘um.’ I can’t guarantee it. I will try to relax and not play w/my hair.”
• Outcome: Still talked fast and said “um,” but did not play with her hair. Grade = B.
• Weakness: “I talk too fast,” and “I can’t stand still.”
• How to overcome: “Practice to make sure I don’t talk too fast,” and “Find a way to keep both feet on floor.”
• Outcome: Still talked a little too fast, but with clear diction and stood comfortably still throughout speech. Not perfect, but another A.
• Weakness: “Have to have things written out.”
• How to overcome: “Don’t write everything out, practice more.”
• Outcome: Took notes up for speech and delivered confidently and with good eye contact for an A.

Generally, the class did much better with speeches after this activity than before. I used a lot of A speeches in my examples above, but that is because there were a lot of A speeches: 60% of the class. It was a simple exercise, but it did direct their attention and in most cases they were successful in overcoming at least one of their weaknesses. 

The experience showed me that the work I am doing early in the semester with making the students aware of their speech habits and working to overcome the distracting ones pays off. They do remember and they are able to apply the information; they just need to be reminded occasionally at this stage in their development.

PERSONAL LESSONS:

I really did not expect these students to do so well on the final speeches after seeing all the problems that had returned in the speech before. I did not tell them that I was going to be watching for these traits when I watched the speeches, because I wanted to see if they would figure it out for themselves and take the responsibility to do the necessary work. This may sound like I am setting them up for failure, but as long as their organization was sound and their persuasion logical, they would still do very well with the few points taken off for small nervous habits. But they did go the extra step in almost all cases and took the responsibility for their own improvement. I was glad that I had given them the tools to succeed, and I am proud that they were able to use those tools effectively after all the work we did. I hear people say that the younger generation is hopeless and not focused, but I contend that this activity proves otherwise for some of them.

SOURCE: Adapted from an activity in Mastering Public Speaking (4th  Ed) by George L Grice and John F. Skinner, Allyn and Bacon, 2001.

–Norman Engstrom, Faculty, Speech, Illinois Valley Community College, IL

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How to Answer “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?”

• Joel Schwartzberg

Advice and examples to help you craft an authentic answer to this common interview question.

Don’t take common interview questions lightly just because they’re predictable. Underpreparing for them can make the difference between moving ahead and moving on. One question that often comes up: What are your strengths and weaknesses? In this article, the author outlines clear steps for how to describe your strengths and weaknesses along with sample language to use as a guide.

Some questions come up again and again in job interviews . At the top of the list: “ Tell me about yourself ,” “ Why do you want to work here? ” and “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?”

• JS Joel Schwartzberg oversees executive communications for a major national nonprofit, is a professional presentation coach, and is the author of Get to the Point! Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter and The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team . You can find him on LinkedIn and X. TheJoelTruth

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• Section 14. SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

Chapter 3 Sections

• Section 1. Developing a Plan for Assessing Local Needs and Resources
• Section 2. Understanding and Describing the Community
• Section 3. Conducting Public Forums and Listening Sessions
• Section 4. Collecting Information About the Problem
• Section 5. Analyzing Community Problems
• Section 6. Conducting Focus Groups
• Section 7. Conducting Needs Assessment Surveys
• Section 8. Identifying Community Assets and Resources
• Section 9. Developing Baseline Measures
• Section 10. Conducting Concerns Surveys
• Section 11. Determining Service Utilization
• Section 12. Conducting Interviews
• Section 13. Conducting Surveys
• Section 15. Qualitative Methods to Assess Community Issues
• Section 16. Geographic Information Systems: Tools for Community Mapping
• Section 17. Leading a Community Dialogue on Building a Healthy Community
• Section 18. Creating and Using Community Report Cards
• Section 19. Using Public Records and Archival Data
• Section 20. Implementing Photovoice in Your Community
• Section 21. Windshield and Walking Surveys
• Section 22. Using Small Area Analysis to Uncover Disparities
• Section 23. Developing and Using Criteria and Processes to Set Priorities
• Section 24. Arranging Assessments That Span Jurisdictions

• Main Section

Change is an inevitable part of community organizing. If you know how to take stock of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, you are more likely to plan and act effectively.

SWOT provides a tool to explore both internal and external factors that may influence your work.

What is a SWOT analysis and why should you use one?

SWOT stands for:  S trength,  W eakness,  O pportunity,  T hreat. A SWOT analysis guides you to identify your organization’s strengths and weaknesses (S-W), as well as broader opportunities and threats (O-T). Developing a fuller awareness of the situation helps with both strategic planning and decision-making.

The SWOT method was originally developed for business and industry, but it is equally useful in the work of community health and development, education, and even for personal growth.

SWOT is not the only assessment technique you can use. Compare it with  other assessment tools in the Community Tool Box  to determine if this is the right approach for your situation. The strengths of this method are its simplicity and application to a variety of levels of operation.

When do you use SWOT?

A SWOT analysis can offer helpful perspectives at any stage of an effort. You might use it to:

• Explore possibilities for new efforts or solutions to problems.
• Make decisions about the best path for your initiative. Identifying your opportunities for success in context of threats to success can clarify directions and choices.
• Determine where change is possible. If you are at a juncture or turning point, an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses can reveal priorities as well as possibilities.
• Adjust and refine plans mid-course. A new opportunity might open wider avenues, while a new threat could close a path that once existed.

SWOT also offers a simple way of communicating about your initiative or program and an excellent way to organize information you've gathered from studies or surveys.

What are the elements of a SWOT analysis?

A SWOT analysis focuses on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. 

Remember that the purpose of performing a SWOT is to reveal positive forces that work together and potential problems that need to be recognized and possibly addressed. 

We will discuss the process of creating the analysis below, but first here are a few sample layouts for your SWOT analysis.

Ask participants to answer these simple questions: what are the strengths and weaknesses of your group, community, or effort, and what are the opportunities and threats facing it?

If a looser structure helps you brainstorm, you can group positives and negatives to think broadly about your organization and its external environment.

Below is a third option for structuring your SWOT analysis, which may be appropriate for a larger initiative that requires detailed planning. This "TOWS Matrix" is adapted from Fred David's Strategic Management text. 

David gives an example for Campbell Soup Company that stresses financial goals, but it also illustrates how you can pair the items within a SWOT grid to develop strategies. (This version of the chart is abbreviated.)

This example also illustrates how threats can become opportunities (and vice versa). The limitation of tin cans (which aren't biodegradable) creates an opportunity for leadership in developing biodegradable containers. There are several formats you can use to do a SWOT analysis, including a basic SWOT form that you can use to prompt analysis, but whatever format you use, don't be surprised if your strengths and weaknesses don't precisely match up to your opportunities and threats. You might need to refine, or you might need to simply look at the facts longer, or from a different angle. Your chart, list or table will certainly reveal patterns.

Listing Your Internal Factors: Strengths and Weaknesses (S, W)

Internal factors include your resources and experiences. General areas to consider:

• Human resources - staff, volunteers, board members, target population
• Physical resources - your location, building, equipment 
• Financial - grants, funding agencies, other sources of income
• Activities and processes - programs you run, systems you employ
• Past experiences - building blocks for learning and success, your reputation in the community

Don't be too modest when listing your strengths. If you're having difficulty naming them, start by simply listing your characteristics (e.g.., we're small, we're connected to the neighborhood). Some of these will probably be strengths.

Although the strengths and weakness of your organization are your internal qualities, don't overlook the perspective of people outside your group. Identify strengths and weaknesses from both your own point of view and that of others, including those you serve or deal with. Do others see problems--or assets--that you don't?

How do you get information about how outsiders perceive your strengths and weaknesses? You may know already if you've listened to those you serve. If not, this might be the time to gather that type of information. See related sections for ideas on conducting focus groups , user surveys , and listening sessions .

Listing External Factors: Opportunities and Threats (O, T)

Cast a wide net for the external part of the assessment. No organization, group, program, or neighborhood is immune to outside events and forces. Consider your connectedness, for better and worse, as you compile this part of your SWOT list.

Forces and facts that your group does not control include:

• Future trends in your field or the culture
• The economy - local, national, or international
• Funding sources - foundations, donors, legislatures
• Demographics - changes in the age, race, gender, culture of those you serve or in your area
• The physical environment (Is your building in a growing part of town? Is the bus company cutting routes?)
• Legislation (Do new federal requirements make your job harder...or easier?)
• Local, national or international events

How do you create a SWOT analysis?

Who develops the swot.

The most common users of a SWOT analysis are team members and project managers who are responsible for decision-making and strategic planning.

But don't overlook anyone in the creation stage!

An individual or small group can develop a SWOT analysis, but it will be more effective if you take advantage of many stakeholders. Each person or group offers a different perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of your program and has different experiences of both.

Likewise, one staff member, or volunteer or stakeholder may have information about an opportunity or threat that is essential to understanding your position and determining your future.

When and where do you develop a SWOT analysis?

A SWOT analysis is often created during a retreat or planning session that allows several hours for brainstorming and analysis. The best results come when the process is collaborative and inclusive.

When creating the analysis, people are asked to pool their individual and shared knowledge and experience. The more relaxed, friendly and constructive the setting, the more truthful, comprehensive, insightful, and useful your analysis will be.

How do you develop a SWOT analysis?

Steps for conducting a SWOT analysis:

• Designate a leader or group facilitator who has good listening and group process skills, and who can keep things moving and on track.
• Designate a recorder to back up the leader if your group is large. Use newsprint on a flip chart or a large board to record the analysis and discussion points. You can record later in a more polished fashion to share with stakeholders and to update.
• Introduce the SWOT method and its purpose in your organization. This can be as simple as asking, "Where are we, where can we go?" If you have time, you could run through a quick example based on a shared experience or well-known public issue.
• The size of these depends on the size of your entire group – breakout groups can range from three to ten. If the size gets much larger, some members may not participate.
• Give the groups 20-30 minutes to brainstorm and fill out their own strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats chart for your program, initiative or effort. Encourage them not to rule out any ideas at this stage, or the next.
• Remind groups that the way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. Refinement can come later. In this way, the SWOT analysis also supports valuable discussion within your group or organization as you honestly assess.
• It helps to generate lots of comments about your organization and your program, and even to put them in multiple categories if that provokes thought.
• Once a list has been generated, it helps to refine it to the best 10 or fewer points so that the analysis can be truly helpful.
• Proceed in S-W-O-T order, recording strengths first, weaknesses second, etc.
• Or you can begin by calling for the top priorities in each category -the strongest strength, most dangerous weakness, biggest opportunity, worst threat--and continue to work across each category.
• Ask one group at a time to report ("Group A, what do you see as strengths?") You can vary which group begins the report so a certain group isn't always left "bringing up the end" and repeating points made by others. ("Group B, let's start with you for weaknesses.")
• Or, you can open the floor to all groups ("What strengths have you noted?") for each category until all have contributed what they think is needed.
• Come to some consensus about the most important items in each category
• Relate the analysis to your vision, mission, and goals
• Translate the analysis to action plans and strategies
• If appropriate, prepare a written summary of the SWOT analysis to share with participants for continued use in planning and implementation.

More ideas on conducting successful meetings can be found in Community Tool Box resources on  conducting public forums and listening sessions , conducting focus groups , and  organizing a retreat .

How do you use your SWOT analysis?

Better understanding the factors affecting your initiative put you in a better position for action. This understanding helps as you:

• Identify the issues or problems you intend to change
• Set or reaffirm goals
• Create an action plan

As you consider your analysis, be open to the possibilities that exist within a weakness or threat. Likewise, recognize that an opportunity can become a threat if everyone else sees the opportunity and plans to take advantage of it as well, thereby increasing your competition.

Finally, during your assessment and planning, you might keep an image in mind to help you make the most of a SWOT analysis: Look for a "stretch," not just a "fit." As Radha Balamuralikrishna and John C. Dugger of Iowa State University point out, SWOT usually reflects your current position or situation. Therefore one drawback is that it might not encourage openness to new possibilities. You can use SWOT to justify a course that has already been decided upon, but if your goal is to grow or improve, you will want to keep this in mind.

A realistic recognition of the weaknesses and threats that exist for your effort is the first step to countering them with a robust set of strategies that build upon strengths and opportunities. A SWOT analysis identifies your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to assist you in making strategic plans and decisions.

Online Resources

Coalition Vision, Mission, and Goals defines SWOT Analysis, coalition vision and mission statements, and goals and strategies.

The Essential Guide to SWOT Analysis from Jackson Hille, content associate for FormSwift, a SF-based startup that helps organizations, entrepreneurs, and businesses go paperless.

Mind Tools: SWOT Analysis  provides a quick overview of SWOT

Quality Guide: SWOT Analysis  is a helpful guide from Management Sciences for Health and United Nations Children's Fund.

Print Resources

David, F. (1993). Strategic Management , 4th Ed. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Company. 

Jones, B. (1990). Neighborhood Planning: A Guide for Citizens and Planners . Chicago and Washington, DC: Planners Press, American Planning Association.