--- title: "Public Speaking: Build Relationships, Build Confidence" id: "32381" type: "post" slug: "public-speaking-build-relationships-build-confidence" published_at: "2016-03-08T19:33:53+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T15:39:48+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/03/08/public-speaking-build-relationships-build-confidence/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/03/08/public-speaking-build-relationships-build-confidence.md" excerpt: "Having a strong grasp on leadership can be a great confidence booster when it comes to public speaking. Also: one association's efforts to speak up on International Women's Day." taxonomy_category: - "Career Development" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "confidence" - "Leadership" - "Meetings" - "public speaking" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Public Speaking: Build Relationships, Build Confidence When Eric Lanke, CEO of the National Fluid Power Association, first stepped into his role nearly a decade ago, he found himself talking to a room full of strangers at the group’s annual meeting. And, [according to a recent blog post (opens in a new tab)](http://ericlanke.blogspot.com/2016/03/never-speak-to-strangers.html) , he wasn’t feeling very confident in addressing that group of people. “Early on, I had plenty of doubts over if I could do that effectively,” Lanke reveals. “It wasn’t just a generic worry about speaking in public. It was a specific concern about how well I understood my material, how effective I could be at telling the story. New as I was, would they believe me? Would they even listen?” But a funny thing happened as he settled into the role: The sense of dread and stage fright of the first couple of years began to evaporate as he realized that his audience was made up of association members he had come to know well—friends and colleagues. And the confidence he struggled with at first when it came to public speaking quickly became more tangible. “It no longer feels like I have to convince a group of skeptical strangers,” he explains. “I’m just sharing some good news with a group of friends.” [Check out Lanke’s full post (opens in a new tab)](http://ericlanke.blogspot.com/2016/03/never-speak-to-strangers.html) to get a grasp of the process that led to that realization—perhaps it might boost your own confidence. ### A Push for Parity **Today is [International Women’s Day (opens in a new tab)](http://www.internationalwomensday.com/) ,** and to celebrate, Google created a doodle in honor of the big day (shown above). But the day is about more than just doodles—something highlighted by Canada’s Association of Women in Finance (AWF), which is launching a new scholarship program as part of its efforts to improve gender parity in the financial sector. “Women remain under-represented in the finance industry, particularly in top leadership positions and on corporate boards,” AWF President Danielle Slavin [said in a news release (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cbs8.com/story/31412308/association-of-women-in-finance-announces-new-scholarships-in-support-of-international-womens-day-pledgeforparity) . “We are delighted to be working with local universities and colleges to provide scholarships that directly assist deserving women in completing their education as the first step toward a successful career in finance.” Learn more about the effort [on AWF’s website (opens in a new tab)](http://www.womeninfinance.ca/scholarships.html) . ### Other Links of Note **Is Facebook too powerful?** A great essay by Emily Bell, director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia Journalism School, makes the case about the impact that social networks [could have on the future of journalism in particular (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cjr.org/analysis/facebook_and_media.php) . **Trying to figure out a knotty tech problem?** Don’t jump to the outside consultants just yet. DelCor, a technology adviser for associations and nonprofits, recommends that you [seek advice inside your own organization (opens in a new tab)](http://www.delcor.com/Blog.aspx?id=1705&blogid=154) before turning to “shadow IT.” **Will the future of information** have a lot in common with the past? The latest buzzworthy app out there, Prompt, makes the case that the command line will make a comeback—[this time as a messaging tool (opens in a new tab)](http://techcrunch.com/2016/03/07/prompt-debuts-a-command-line-for-the-real-world/) . (iStock/Thinkstock) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#confidence](https://associationsnow.com/tag/confidence/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) [#public speaking](https://associationsnow.com/tag/public-speaking/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoMichelle Poler Previews Her Keynote for ASAE’s The Exchange!April 30, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/30/michelle-poler-previews-her-keynote-for-asaes-the-exchange/) - [VideoSo What if it Feels Uncomfortable?March 29, 2012](https://associationsnow.com/2012/03/29/so-what-if-it-feels-uncomfortable/) - [Video🚀 The Agile Association Professional: How to Pivot Your Career Path When the Strategic Plan ShiftsJuly 28, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/28/the-agile-association-professional-how-to-pivot-your-career-path-when-the-strategic-plan-shifts/) - [Video2026 Summit Awards DinnerOctober 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/02/2026-summit-awards-dinner/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F03%2F08%2Fpublic-speaking-build-relationships-build-confidence%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !