COMMUNICATION expert and Co-convener of Eloquence Unfiltered, Akin Akingbogun has allayed fears around public speaking, insisting that it is a skill that can be learnt.

Speaking at the Eloquence Unfiltered Masterclass held in Lagos recently, he observed that the fear of public speaking is not a sign of weakness, but a social threat miscalculation generated by the brain.

Akingbogun, who spoke on the topic, ‘Psychology of fear,’ observed a lot of people prefer to die than speak in public. “We are trying to teach people how to condition the body and the mind to take control of the conversation. No matter how well trained that you are, if you cannot communicate what you know, there is a chance that people may not take you seriously.

“A lot of young people are struggling with this, so we are liberalising how to speak in public properly, how to manage pauses, body language and mistakes that people make. We see these mistakes and we worry,” he stated.

Saying great speech is not by accident but carefully constructed experience, he added that the audience should always feel like they are on a journey.

Specifically, he added the pause is the most underused tool in a speaker’s arsenal. To him, the moment you learn to be comfortable with silence, you will command every room you enter. Eloquence is not a genetic gift; it is a muscular and cognitive habit.

Saying the conversation would extend beyond the masterclass, he added a platform would be created where participants would receive coaching and further training.

In conclusion, he said the Eloquence Unfiltered Masterclass is a premium public speaking and communication experience designed for professionals, leaders, and executives who are ready to communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and influence.

On her part, Co-convener and Development Strategist, Mo’Olumide Obidiran stated that the economic importance of public speaking is endless.

 To her, public speaking could help people move from ideas to implementation