From Fear to Fascination: Transforming Public Speaking and Virtual Communication with Evgeniy Kharam

Welcome to Speaking with Confidence, the show dedicated to helping you enhance your public speaking skills and boost your confidence in front of any audience. Our guest today is Evgeniy Kharam, a renowned cybersecurity consultant, author, and host of unique networking events that combine professional networking with thrilling activities like skiing, snowboarding, and biking. 

In this episode, Evgeniy shares his incredible journey from struggling with public speaking anxiety to mastering the art of engaging diverse audiences. He discusses his unique approach to networking by hosting events that foster easy communication in relaxed environments, touches on the importance of combining technical skills with effective communication, and shares actionable techniques for managing performance anxiety and improving presentation skills.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Blending Networking with Fun: Evgeniy’s unique approach to networking through activities like skiing and biking fosters genuine connections in an informal atmosphere. These events break traditional barriers, enabling more meaningful interactions between participants.
2. Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety: Evgeniy started his speaking journey in the Navy and faced significant challenges, including anxiety and fast speech. Through consistent practice, customer interactions, and receiving feedback, he managed to transform these struggles into strengths, enhancing his ability to connect with audiences.
3. Box Breathing Technique: Tim and Evgeniy discuss the box breathing method, a powerful tool for managing anxiety and improving focus. This technique, which involves controlled breathing steps, is beneficial for both athletic and professional settings, helping speakers maintain composure under pressure.
4. Embracing Personal Authenticity: Authenticity is essential in public speaking. Evgeniy emphasizes accepting one's unique traits, such as an accent, and focusing on clear pronunciation, pacing, and reducing filler words. Both speakers agree that genuine self-presentation helps build stronger connections with the audience.
5. Practical Communication Strategies: For effective communication, especially with non-technical audiences, it's important to offer information through multiple formats like slides, diagrams, and demos. Verifying audience understanding through feedback ensures the message is accurately conveyed and comprehended.

Join us as we explore these themes and more, gaining valuable insights into the seamless integration of technical knowledge and soft skills. Whether you're an experienced professional or a student just starting out, this episode is packed with tips to elevate your speaking prowess and connect more deeply with your audience.

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation with Evgeniy Kharam on Speaking with Confidence. Tune in now, and let's get started on building your confidence one word at a time!

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to "Speaking with Confidence" for more compelling interviews and valuable public speaking tips. Follow Evgeniy Kharam on LinkedIn and explore his work further at softskillstag.ca and softskillstech.com. And remember, practice makes perfect—so keep honing those public speaking skills!

Chapters

• 0:36 Unlocking the Power of Public Speaking
• 11:31 The Art of Authentic Public Speaking
• 18:04 Strategies for Effective Virtual Communication
• 29:46 Enhancing Communication Skills Through Engagement