President of the South Australia Branch Committee, Carly Soutter, reflects on the importance of developing public speaking skills.
A month ago, I had the privilege of addressing 170 of you at the AWA SA Minister's Breakfast. It was a powerful reminder of the impact that persuasive public speaking can have in our industry.
Teamwork is essential in what we do – whether tackling proposals, projects, contributing to committees, or participating in professional groups. As individuals or team members, we're not just the voice of these collectives; we're also shaping a successful future.
I'll admit, public speaking isn't my forte. School presentations terrified me, and even virtual meetings had me in a spin. But with 15 years as a proposal professional under my belt, I often play the role of audience advocate – pushing speakers/writers to tailor their message - and in this time I’ve witnessed countless technical talks – some transformative, others as dry as the desert.
What excites me now is the potential for our water industry to not only share knowledge but to truly connect and inspire their audience, sparking nods of agreement and driving them to act. This is the kind of engagement that I strive for and encourage in our field.
It is this passion that drives Beca HunterH2O to proudly sponsor the upcoming SA YWP PD Event April 2024 Public Speaking Workshop
By building your public speaking confidence, young water professionals will be able to distinguish themselves by creating an image aligned with their goals and values, skills, expertise, and career aspirations as well as effectively communicating their personal and professional profile in any setting.
The Public Speaking workshop will be led by our Keynote Speaker David Griggs, from the Speakers Studio and will wrap up with some time to network over drinks and canapes with your fellow water professionals.
Register now for the SA YWP PD "Public Speaking" Workshop here.
by Carly Soutter
