The design itself is a beautiful mode of communicating to the user by the architect. Being fluent in more than one medium can widen the number of users one serves. Verbal communication has a huge hand when it comes to making the clients understand the design in a common man’s language. So, it’s really obvious to not question how much knowledge one can acquire through public speaking, if that’s within the domain one works means widening and sharing of knowledge within the Community. Industry events connect you to news, ideas, people, connections, courses, and trends in the industry. They help Architects understand each other more and dig in an opportunity to work with each other, discover new styles, and materials, and uplift the community as a whole even on a global level. By running away from public speaking, you would only miss many opportunities for the growth of your career and yourself as a person.
1. Share your knowledge and experience with the budding ones
Sharing your journey with budding architects becomes a guideline of dos and don’t,s for them .it would also help someone with a similar situation. Also sharing such insights with a larger audience not only helps them but also yourself as it would make your mind think into broader perspectives and also clarify your thoughts. (Peet, 2016)
2. Fuels your networking
Sharing your ideas makes people understand you more and connects you with people who have like minds or similar interests. Even if you are an architect who is a freelancer or one that runs a firm or works under a firm, networking is the key. People will approach you whether it’s clients, peers, or even ones who you looked up to. Your connectivity in the field increases. Often many different firms with similar interests collaborate in urban or large-scale projects by vocalizing their ideas and concepts through such industrial events. (Roselli, 2023)
3. A good career growth
One who can present oneself on a public platform can easily get into the limelight of those who are looking for someone to work with. Sounding your ideas, thoughts, and needs can only help you get into places you dreamed of. By practicing for public events one can voice their needs in the firm and be heard while struggling. (Roselli, 2023)
4. Improve the quality of the field
Maybe it is just an idea for you, but it might help the future of tonnes of people when discussed and practiced. Being someone who can be looked up to can only be achieved when one improves the quality of the field one resides in. Placing an idea that can improve the growth of others, having a vision of moving forward together, and vocalizing and practicing it may provide a better opportunity for the field itself. (Roselli, 2023)
5. Increases one’s professional credibility
It is said that showcasing one’s talent and skills to the public by vocalizing them is a great way to play a larger role in the industry. Only ones who have mastered and greatly refined can play such roles. By giving you additional career opportunities it also boasts your self-confidence. (Roselli, 2023)
6. Developing your presenting style
The architect becomes a storyteller when it comes to their designs or ideas. Developing our way of pulling people together can help in both work and public spaces. The only way to achieve such skills is only by putting yourself into such positions. (Peet, 2016)
7. Finds a different way to look at the subject
Only through rigorous conversations and discussions a subject gets made and developed. New perspectives on subjects can help us and the listeners. In the end of it, a mere idea may get developed into a subject with eye-opening perspectives. (Peet, 2016)
Here are different ways and methods to master such skills
Image 8_ Architect presenting in a conference_ ©httpsshare-architects.comwp-contentuploads202206photo-328-scaled.jpg
One needs to master their mind, and body together to communicate or to pitch into any event, it’s more like a performance that can be practiced or rehearsed. Seasoning correct pitching for the room with good control of ourselves plays an important part. Pitching sometimes is seen as a natural aspect for some but it differs for others. Mastering it is a big aspect when it comes to the career of an architect as at one point selling your idea and conveying them to the room plays a major part.
Controlling one’s anxiety is seen as a major milestone as social beings we get self-conscious and overthinkers while communicating. Developing a relaxed body language itself can help and simplify most of the things we are about to convey through verbal communication. Focusing on ourselves, reflecting on our actions daily, and finding our weaknesses and fault paves a path towards a good communicator. By incorporating many physical techniques used in performing arts one can learn to grab the attention of the crowd and use it their way. The basic one would be being comfortable in your own skin, shaking yourself up, and focusing on yourself and the space more rather than the anxiety turns out to be key. (RIBA, 2019)
In short, speaking at industry events in a life of an architect Is a way of showcasing oneself to people in the field. It’s also a way to grow, learn and understand different views and subjects in architecture. Developing such skills in the early stages of budding architects can help one in the long run. Vocalizing one’s ideas, and views will help one connect with perfect people and let the quality of the architectural field increase.
Reference
zang (2019) Mastering your body language in pitches and presentations, RIBA. Available at: https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/tips-for-architects-on-pitches-and-presentations (Accessed: 12 June 2023).
Peet, J.G. (2016) 10 reasons why I speak at industry events and why you should too, Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/william-joseph/10-reasons-why-i-speak-at-industry-events-and-why-you-should-too-726ba4c44a7 (Accessed: 12 June 2023).
Roselli, M. (2023) 5 benefits of speaking at industry events, credentialinginsights. Available at: https://www.credentialinginsights.org/Article/5-benefits-of-speaking-at-industry-events-1 (Accessed: 12 June 2023).
