Global Speaking Fellow
Competency Framework
Successfully working across continents as a global presenter requires business acumen, specialized knowledge, and mastery of key competencies unique to presenting in global markets. The key competencies of a successful global speaker and the component elements of these competencies are a part of the body of knowledge and educational content being developed exclusively by the Global Speaking Federation.
The GSF seeks to deliver educational content and tools that will improve the success of global professional speakers, reduce risks for international clients, and increase value for global audiences.
With the input of global meeting professionals, international bureaus, global speakers, and research data that explored the precedent set for conferring global designations by associations across professions and industries, the GSF identified four core competency areas of global speaking:
Global Communication Competency
Global Business Competency
Global Travel Competency
Global Events Competency
These four competencies provide the framework for evaluating mastery of a speaker’s capabilities in global markets. The measures of continued success in global markets, the input of those who hire professional speakers, and the assessment of the knowledge the speaker conveys are combined to determine an applicant’s grasp and capability within the competencies.
Each competency has several components, developed into modules by key professionals under the guidance of an education committee to help professional speakers learn from the experience and insight of others. Each competency list is arranged in order of importance as determined through surveys and interviews. Those competencies ranked highest are a part of the Global Speaking Fellow assessment criteria.
Competency 1: Global Communication Competency
Customize content for appropriateness and applicability
Demonstrate sensitivity to culture and manage communication appropriateness
Work successfully with interpretation professionals and communication technology – both simultaneous and delayed
Customize delivery style, both in-person and/or live virtual presentations, for place and culture
Competency 2: Global Business Competency
Adhere to global business conduct standards and maintain high integrity
Navigate the unique realities of networking in global markets
Market and sell services in global markets
Identify and work with promotion and media relation professionals worldwide
Understand the expectations and the difference between being hired in a location or sent to a location
Competency 3: Global Travel Competency
Make cost-effective choices for flight and ground transportation options
Navigate the systems of visas and unique usage circumstances with passports
Know how to navigate time zones and manage currency exchanges
Competency 4: Global Events Competency
Understand local traditions and how those will impact the event and presentations, in-person and/or live virtual
Maintain awareness of planner and client expectations that differ from home events
Manage the nuances of scheduling for events and how to adjust at the moment
Know the protocol for interacting with attending dignitaries
To view a detailed list of competencies, please click here and refer to Addendum E.
Are you ready to apply for the Global Speaking Fellow?
If you already have the CSP or FPSA designation apply today!