We often talk about communication as a skill. Something that can be learned, practiced, and refined over time. But what we don’t talk about enough is how much boldness plays into becoming an effective communicator.
In a recent episode of Communicast, Fred Joyal, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Super Bold, shared a simple yet powerful insight. Boldness is not a personality trait. It is a life skill. And like any skill, it can be trained.
Why Boldness Matters in Communication
Great communicators don’t just speak clearly. They show up. They raise their hands in meetings. They give the presentation when no one else volunteers. They initiate the difficult conversation. They ask for feedback, even when they know it may be uncomfortable.
All of these are bold actions. They require us to step into situations where we cannot predict the outcome. That is the core of boldness. Acting in the face of uncertainty.
“You know you’ve achieved real boldness,” Fred said, “when trying and failing feels better than not having tried at all.”
Discomfort Is the Training Ground
Fred’s approach flips the confidence narrative on its head. Most people think they need to feel confident before they can act boldly. In reality, bold action is what builds confidence, not the other way around.
The process starts with embracing discomfort:
- Volunteering to speak even when your heart is racing
- Practicing a presentation and watching the recording back
- Asking for critique and staying open to the feedback
These situations might make you sweat, stumble, or even fail. Each one builds your capacity to act with boldness the next time.
Start Small and Build Daily
Like physical training, boldness grows with repetition. You do not start by giving a keynote to a thousand people. You start with smaller, low-stakes reps. That could be asking a question in a Zoom call, role-playing in a training session, or pitching an idea to a colleague.
Over time, those small moments of boldness stack up into something transformational.
Fred likens this to working out. “If you go to the gym and say, ‘Wow, that was really comfortable,’ guess what? You didn’t work out.”
Growth rarely happens in the comfortable rep. It happens in the one that stretches you. Communication is no different. Strong communicators develop confidence through repeated practice and intentional communication.
Communication Confidence Is Built, Not Born
Many professionals assume confident communicators are naturally more outgoing or fearless.
In reality, confidence often follows action.
The professionals who appear most comfortable speaking, presenting, influencing, or leading conversations usually have one thing in common: they practiced through discomfort long enough to expand their comfort zone.
Bold communication is often less about personality and more about repetition.
The Boldness Blueprint
Here is a simple framework you can use to start building boldness today:
- Acknowledge the discomfort: It is normal. You are not doing it wrong. In fact, it means you are in the right place.
- Take small bold actions regularly: Raise your hand. Give feedback. Speak up. Ask for what you want.
- Seek out practice opportunities: Role-play, present in meetings, join groups like Toastmasters, or enroll in a training course.
- Record and reflect: Watch yourself speak. What is working? What needs refining?
- Ask for feedback: Be bold enough to receive critique. It is the fastest way to improve.
Final Thought: Don’t Let You Stop You
Fred’s definition of boldness is simple. Never be the one stopping you.
Most of us are not held back by other people. We are held back by our own hesitation. The good news is that hesitation can be rewired, step by step, with intention and practice.
Communication confidence is built through practice, feedback, and repetition.
