In today’s smartphone-driven world, public speaking has become more challenging than ever. A speaker is no longer competing only with boredom or distraction, but with the endless pull of notifications, pings, and pop-ups flashing across the audience’s screens. Asking people to switch off their phones often backfires, leading to disengagement or even people leaving the hall.

Yet, despite these challenges, the core principles of public speaking remain unchanged. Preparation, understanding the audience, clarity of thought, and a balance of humour with substance still determine how well a speaker connects. What has changed is the style of delivery. Younger audiences, especially millennials and Gen Z, are influenced by the fast-paced, informal tone of social media influencers, making long, traditional speeches less impactful.

Today’s successful speaker must adapt-keeping messages crisp, interactive, and relatable. Storytelling, anecdotes, and even humour are powerful tools to capture attention. Ultimately, the success of any speech lies in whether it manages to inform, persuade, or entertain as intended. Public speaking, though tested by the smartphone era, still thrives when delivered with authenticity, clarity, and connection.