Speaking
for Professional Development
The art of
elocution is one of the greatest personal assets one can use for personal
advancement. The extent to which one has
this skill will play a great role in how he is esteemed by others as well as
his ascension of the corporate ladder.
Lending credence to this verity, Depew, as cited by Carnegie (1957:19),
says: ‘There is no other accomplishment which any man can have that will so
quickly make for him a career and secure recognition as the ability to speak
acceptably’.
The art of
speaking in this regard is not limited to public speaking alone. Other contexts of speech communication are
included as well. A man who has a good command of his language of communication
will always enjoy preferential consideration at the workplace above his
colleagues who are not as endowed. Carnegie (1957:19), while enumerating the
benefits of possessing a good speaking skill, says:
What
additional self-confidence the ability to talk more convincingly in public will
mean to you. Think of what it may mean and what it ought to mean in dollars and
cents. Think of what it may mean to you socially; of the friends it will bring,
of the increase of your personal influence, of the leadership it will give you.
And it will give you leadership more rapidly than almost any other activity you
can think of or imagine.
Beside
facilitating accelerated promotion and influence at the work place, the art of
elocution will also bring in more clients, customers and supporters for those
whose stock in trade involves much speaking, either in public or to
individuals. It therefore behoves anyone who aspire to pursue a career in this
line to thoroughly learn his subject matter, the mechanics of his language of
communication, as well as the art of effective delivery. These are the
ingredients that will determine, to a large extent, how he fares in his chosen
vocation.
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