Public speaking woes of academic leaders: resources and alternative ways to improve speaking with audience

Abstract

Public speaking skills are essential for academic leaders because of the nature of their roles and responsibilities within educational institutions. As leaders, they often serve as spokespersons for their departments or institutions, representing their vision, goals, and achievements to various stakeholders, including students, faculty, administrators, and external partners. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of academic leaders who experience public speaking woes. This study explored their professional resources and alternative strategies to cope with public speaking anxiety. Purposive sampling (n=20) was carried out to sample the Filipino academic leaders from the basic education and higher education institutions (HEIs). The findings highlighted the importance of targeted support and resources, such as professional development workshops and a supportive learning environment, in enhancing their public speaking skills and confidence. The adoption of coping mechanisms, including regular practice and exposure to different speaking opportunities, emerged as crucial strategies for academic leaders to manage their public speaking woes effectively. These findings underscored the need for ongoing training and support initiatives to empower academic leaders in their roles and cultivate an environment conducive to their professional growth and development.