Carly Richmond

Mar 13, 2024 • WeAreDevelopers LIVE

From Gazelle to Pride Leader: The Path to Public Speaking in Tech

Is your fear of public speaking just a survival instinct? Learn how to overcome it with a practical, step-by-step guide for developers.

#1about 2 minutes

Understanding the fear of public speaking known as glossophobia

The fear of public speaking is a natural survival response, similar to a gazelle facing lions, but in a modern context it manifests as a fear of rejection or embarrassment.

#2about 1 minute

Overcoming past negative speaking experiences and "voluntold" situations

Past negative speaking experiences, often from being "voluntold" to present, can be reframed by taking control and choosing to speak for yourself.

#3about 1 minute

Addressing the lack of formal public speaking education

Traditional education often assesses research content rather than delivery skills like posture and audience engagement, leaving a critical skill gap for professionals.

#4about 1 minute

Realizing it is never too late to start speaking

The belief that you've "missed your shot" is a misconception; public speaking can be started incrementally at any stage of your career.

#5about 3 minutes

The importance of finding and becoming a role model

A lack of relatable role models can be a barrier, but you can seek out diverse speakers or become the role model you wish you had for others.

#6about 5 minutes

Debunking the myth of not being technical enough

Many valuable tech roles and conference topics are not code-centric, and sharing experiences from design, product, or leadership is equally important.

#7about 3 minutes

Start by writing to build confidence and share knowledge

Writing on platforms like company blogs or Dev.to is an effective first step to practice sharing knowledge and build the confidence needed for speaking.

#8about 5 minutes

Leverage workshops, mentors, and communities for support

Accelerate your speaking journey by participating in workshops, finding a mentor, and joining communities like Toastmasters or local meetups for practice and guidance.

#9about 7 minutes

Create a gradual plan for your speaking journey

Approach public speaking like climbing a mountain by starting with short lightning talks and gradually increasing the duration, audience size, and topic complexity.

#10about 4 minutes

How to find and submit to a call for papers (CFP)

Find speaking opportunities through word-of-mouth, meetup.com, or platforms like Sessionize, and understand the key components of a strong CFP submission.

#11about 4 minutes

Structuring your talk proposal for maximum impact

A successful proposal includes a clear title, a concise abstract, a talk outline, and specifies the target audience, format, and level.

#12about 3 minutes

Preparing your slides and practicing your delivery

Create clean, supportive slides with minimal text and practice your talk by recording yourself or presenting to a friend to refine your speed, tone, and style.

#13about 2 minutes

How to prepare for and handle the Q&A session

Prepare for Q&A by anticipating questions and remember that it is perfectly acceptable to say "I don't know" and offer to follow up later.

#14about 3 minutes

The career-changing benefits of public speaking

Public speaking opens doors to new opportunities, helps build a professional portfolio, and can lead to significant career advancements like moving into developer advocacy.

#15about 2 minutes

Understanding the day-to-day role of a developer advocate

A developer advocate's role is varied, involving speaking at conferences, writing blog posts, creating code samples, and engaging with the developer community on forums.

#16about 3 minutes

A personal journey and advice for starting in tech

Inspired by a family role model, the path into tech involved a computer science degree and an internship, highlighting the importance of practical problem-solving.

#17about 3 minutes

Practical tips for launching your tech career now

Start your tech career by building a portfolio of small projects, utilizing online courses, seeking mentors, and applying for jobs even if you don't meet every requirement.

#18about 3 minutes

How to decide on your next career move

Navigate your career path by listening to your gut instincts about opportunities, exploring different roles within your organization, and viewing your career as a climbing frame rather than a ladder.

#19about 1 minute

Navigating a male-dominated industry by finding allies

Overcome the challenges of being in a male-dominated field by actively finding allies and building connections with supportive colleagues to foster an inclusive environment.

#20about 2 minutes

Recommended books and resources for developers

Key learning resources for developers include books like "Software Engineering" by Dave Farley, "The Phoenix Project" for DevOps, and various online learning platforms.