In an article written by GINGER, a leader is portrayed as follows: “Being a leader means helping others, and themselves, do the right things. A leader sets the direction for their team, drives innovation, and builds a vision for the future. Being a leader is about lighting the way to mutual goals, and it’s dynamic, exciting, and inspiring.” On his/her journey, a leader needs some tools, and among those tools, PUBLIC SPEAKING is one of the vital ones that’s needed and used in a leader’s most activities.
Public speaking is an art of using words to pass across information to an audience. This audience varies from small discussions, forums to millions watching the television.
Even though ordinary people don’t mind about different types of this art, a leader has an obligation to know how to differentiate the types of public speaking which are; ceremonial ( which is mostly done by everyone because it includes speaking at a wedding, graduation, funerals or a large birthday party.), demonstrative (which includes giving the audience some knowledge about how to do something practical through demonstrations), informative ( This one includes explaining to an audience a concept i.e. college lectures) and persuasive (And this one requires practicing voice inflections and nuances of language that will convince the audience members of a certain viewpoint). A good leader must know when and where to use certain type of public speaking and be strong on the persuasive type.
At Rwanda We Want, the members spend a humble time attending lectures and discussions provided by speakers who are business magnates, politicians and other successful people within their fields to share with them their experiences in order to become great leaders of tomorrow, and after that period of learning, they are presented with a small puzzle to fill in with the knowledge gathered from that acquisition of knowledge. This puzzle is a public speaking competition, and this year’s theme is “MY COMMUNITY, MY CONCERN, MY SOLUTION” which is all about finding a challenge that their communities are facing and providing a solution then presenting it in form of a speech in front of a panel of judges and an audience.
Within a lecture about public speaking the most recurring issue was the fear of speaking in front of a large audience, and this competition was set up to also be a hub of e Within a lecture about public speaking the most recurring issue was the fear of speaking in front of a large audience, and this competition was set up to also be a hub of exercising how to conquer their fears. This competition will also help them to develop their critical thinking and a solution giving mindset instead of being complainers of problems within their communities. It will take place on 24th October 2018 at 2pm in Gasabo District at E.S Kacyiru II.
To conclude, “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” Said Ralph Waldo Emerson, and “If I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.” Said Gerald R. Ford. These two great persons show the power of public speaking, and at Rwanda We Want we chose to entrust that power to our future leaders.