Do millennials really lack workplace skills?

Technology has made verbal communication almost redundant; we see this in how we order food or products online, or even in how we find a holiday via an app.

A survey of American millennials found that 65 per cent do not feel comfortable engaging with someone face-to-face, while 80 per cent prefer conversing digitally. This can lead them not even to know the basics of starting simple face-to-face conversations.

Division Manukau Toastmasters, District 112 director Derek Hiscoke, has been the toastmaster of the Karaka and Pokeno groups for eight years. He said that public speaking was critical because people needed to understand you and see where you were coming from.

“Whether you’re asking for a raise, pitching an idea, or explaining to your kids why the dishes do in fact need doing. Good communication never goes out of style.

“Public speaking is really about clear communication, and communication sits underneath almost everything we do — work, relationships, leadership, problem-solving, etc. Even with all the technology in the world, we still need to express ideas, influence others, and build trust. Those skills don’t expire.”

People who speak well face-to-face tend to stand out more, which can give them a real boost when it comes to making friends and succeeding at work. This may have something to do with the fact that so many people are afraid to speak publicly.

For a lot of people, the fear of speaking in public, or glossophobia, comes down to never being taught to speak confidently. Speaking publicly puts us on the spot, where many people begin worrying about others judging or criticising them, or about making a mistake.
Hiscoke said that for most people, speaking at a job interview, a wedding, or another high-pressure event would be the only chance to practise speaking publicly.

At Toastmaster sessions, people are taught how to overcome their nerves in a well-structured, supportive environment where they receive feedback on how to improve.

“Most people know what they want to say — they just don’t trust themselves to say it confidently. They worry about shaking, forgetting their words, being judged, or looking silly.

Toastmasters helps them manage those fears and gives them tools and practice to overcome them.”