Public speaking can be scary, and it’s easy to talk yourself out of it. But your voice is unique, and you may have a lot to offer by sharing your thoughts publicly—even if you make a few mistakes along the way. When contemplating a speaking gig, keep in mind that no one is born a natural, and getting good at it simply takes practice.

Engaging Volunteers shares a few reasons to fight your fears so you don’t miss out on the benefits of speaking your piece.

We all know the powerful impact that storytelling can have in attracting people to a cause. Use your voice to share your passion in front of an audience. “You can be the one to inspire people to join your cause, get excited, feel revitalized, dream of the future, and make an impact,” writes James McBryan, founder of Track It Forward.

Public speaking also creates free marketing opportunities, McBryan adds. Speaking at meetings or conferences gives you a chance to share the great work that your organization is doing.

Less Stressed

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It may sound counterintuitive, but bosses tend to feel less stress than their employees. There’s plenty that leaders can do to relieve the pressure on their team members.

“Studies show that when leaders create a safe and supportive environment, individuals tend to feel more connected to that leader, perform at a higher level, and experience less stress than when they feel unattached to their boss,” writes Karen Firestone for the Harvard Business Review.

To reduce stress in your office, Firestone recommends being fair, being grateful and giving praise, and having a self-confident attitude.

Other Links of Note

Instagram introduces new search features. According to TechCrunch, the social platform now allows users to search for stories based on hashtag and location.

Traveling for business comes with plenty of worries. Entrepreneur shares a few ways to make your next trip a little easier.

Is it time for a website redesign? Here are the seven things you need to do to create an excellent association site, according to the DelCor blog.

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