We hear it all the time.
Me: “How do you practice your talks?”
Leader: “I go through my slides on the plane on the way to the conference.”
That is not how you practice before a board meeting, speech, media interview, conference talk, or panel. Practicing is actually doing the talk out loud.
Speaking out loud while practicing helps leaders find their authentic emotional connection to the message – it transforms abstract words on a page into deeply felt convictions.
When you hear yourself say the words aloud, you naturally discover which parts genuinely move you and resonate with your core beliefs. This emotional authenticity is the foundation of inspirational leadership because audiences can sense when a leader truly believes and feels what they’re saying versus simply reciting rehearsed lines.
You may believe it. But you’re not delivering in a way that sounds like you believe it – unless you practice out loud.
If you’re giving a talk about your company’s mission, practicing out loud helps you identify the moments when your voice naturally becomes more passionate or your energy shifts—these are often the parts that matter most to you personally. By recognizing and leaning into these authentic emotional peaks, you can build your entire message around the most genuinely inspiring elements rather than what you think “should” be inspiring.
At Janicek Performance Group, we teach leaders of $20 billion private companies and Fortune 500 organizations how to refine their messaging, articulate their value, and inspire action. One of the most overlooked yet powerful tools for building confidence as a speaker? Talking out loud to yourself.
Here’s why this simple habit is transformative—and how you can use it to elevate your communication.
Practice Builds Confidence and Skill
Speaking out loud isn’t just practice—it’s a path to mastering confidence. By hearing your own voice, you gain the power to:
- Refine pronunciation: Identify and correct how you articulate certain words.
- Enhance grammar and word choice: Notice where your phrasing or vocabulary could improve.
- Boost fluency and ease: The more you speak, the more naturally and confidently your ideas will flow.
- Master pacing and emphasis: When you practice aloud, you can fine-tune your speed, pauses, and vocal emphasis to create more impact. You’ll naturally discover where to slow down for important points and where to add energy to engage listeners.
- Develop vocal variety: Experiment with different tones, volumes, and inflections. This variety keeps listeners engaged and helps convey emotion and conviction in your message.
- Build muscle memory: Regular vocal practice strengthens your speaking muscles and breathing patterns, leading to a more confident, resonant delivery when it matters.
- Identify awkward phrasing: Speaking aloud reveals clunky wording or hard-to-pronounce sequences that might trip you up. You can then revise these sections to flow more smoothly.
- Internalize the content: Hearing yourself speak helps cement key messages in your memory. This deeper familiarity allows you to focus on delivery and connecting with your audience rather than struggling to remember content.
- Master nonverbal elements: Out-loud practice naturally encourages gestures and facial expressions that complement your words. These nonverbal elements significantly boost your presence and influence.
Self-Awareness Unlocks Growth
Speaking out loud allows you to:
- Evaluate pacing and tone: Are you speaking too quickly, too slowly, or without enough variation? Practicing helps you find the perfect balance.
- Eliminate filler words: Saying “um,” “uh,” or “you know” becomes less tempting when you embrace intentional pauses. Learn how to avoid filler words here.
- Organize your thoughts: Articulating ideas verbally forces you to structure them logically and clearly.
Practical Ways to Talk Out Loud and Boost Your Skills
Read Aloud
Grab a favorite article or book and read passages aloud. Pay attention to your pacing, clarity, and emphasis on key points. This exercise improves your articulation and helps you practice varying your tone for engagement.
Rehearse Speeches
Got a big pitch or presentation? Rehearse it out loud multiple times in different settings to feel more comfortable and confident in your delivery. Practice in front of a mirror or a trusted friend for added feedback.
Think Out Loud
When solving a problem or planning your day, verbalize your thought process. This habit enhances clarity, improves decision-making, and trains your brain to organize ideas logically. If you can, explain your thought process to someone else—they might ask questions that challenge your clarity.
Record Yourself
Play back recordings of your practice to evaluate your tone, pacing, and overall delivery. Listen for strengths and areas for improvement, such as filler words, monotone delivery, or rushed pacing. Use the insights to adjust and track your progress over time.
How Talking Out Loud Prepares You to Pitch Yourself
When you practice talking out loud, you’re doing more than improving your speech—you’re building the confidence to sell yourself effectively. Consider this:
- Clear Messaging Wins: Leaders often confuse audiences with unclear messaging or too much jargon. By practicing out loud, you learn to drill down to your core message.
- Confidence Inspires Trust. People can tell when you’re uncertain. Articulating your value and expertise confidently makes you a leader others want to follow.
Learn more about public speaking and how JPG can help.
Mistakes to Avoid When Practicing
- Overthinking It: Don’t strive for perfection every time you practice. Focus on progress instead.
- Skipping Consistency: Practicing sporadically won’t create results. Build a habit of talking out loud daily.
- Ignoring Feedback: When you record yourself, don’t ignore the areas for improvement. Use them to grow.
Talking out loud to yourself – is one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools for building confidence as a speaker. Use it to elevate your emotional authenticity and inspire your team.
At Janicek Performance Group, we specialize in helping leaders refine their communication and bring their best selves to every conversation. From public speaking to executive coaching, we’re here to support your growth. Contact us today to unlock your potential.
