When I first wanted to be a professional speaker, I made the classic mistake of trying to cover too many topics. 

Then I started noticing a pattern: the professionals I admired most weren’t trying to be everything to everyone. They had a clear lane. They knew their expertise, and they owned it. I realized that if I wanted to make a real impact, I had to do the same.

Once I honed in on my area of expertise—effective communication—I felt a shift. Not only did it become easier to articulate my ideas, but I also felt more confident doing so. Instead of trying to remember a thousand different things, I was able to deeply understand and refine a focused message. And over time, that focus turned into expertise.

Why Clear Communication Matters

One of the biggest challenges professionals face isn’t just doing great work—it’s being able to explain what they do with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re in a job interview, pitching an idea, or leading a team, your ability to communicate your expertise can make all the difference. If you struggle to articulate your knowledge, others may not fully understand or appreciate your value.

Why? Because clarity is key. When you narrow your focus, you sharpen your expertise. You provide depth rather than just breadth. Whether you’re sharing an idea with colleagues, making a pitch, or networking, being able to clearly and concisely express your insights builds credibility and influence. Think of the most impactful professionals and entrepreneurs—they don’t try to cover everything. They focus on a strong message and communicate it effectively.

The Advantage of Specialization

Being a great professional—or entrepreneur—isn’t about knowing a little about everything. It’s about knowing a lot about something specific. Experts in any field aren’t recognized for dabbling; they’re known for their mastery of a particular subject. When you focus on a niche, you give yourself the opportunity to:

• Develop a unique perspective that makes your message stand out.
• Build deeper knowledge and credibility over time.
• Make it easier for your audience (or colleagues, investors, or customers) to remember you and your expertise.
• Increase confidence because you truly know your material inside and out.

It’s the difference between being a generalist who blends in and a specialist who commands attention.

The Natural Confidence That Comes with Expertise

When you narrow your focus, you create an advantage: you feel more comfortable communicating because you truly understand your subject. Confidence doesn’t come from forcing yourself to appear knowledgeable—it comes from actually being knowledgeable. And the more you share insights about something you’re passionate about, the more that knowledge grows, reinforcing your confidence further.

Applying This to Your Career or Business

This principle doesn’t just apply to public speakers. Whether you’re an entrepreneur pitching your startup, a professional in your industry, or a leader trying to make an impact, specialization matters.

In today’s world, access to knowledge is unlimited. You can learn almost anything—from Udemy courses to YouTube tutorials to mentorship from experts. The challenge isn’t finding information; it’s deciding what you want to master. When you make that decision and commit to deep learning, you start gaining the insights and experience that set you apart.

But expertise alone isn’t enough. You also need to communicate it effectively. If you can’t clearly explain what you do, others might not take you seriously. You can have the best idea in the world, but if you can’t convey it in a compelling way, that idea loses its power.

Final Thoughts

If you want to be a more confident professional, start by narrowing your focus. Find what excites you, go deep, and let that knowledge be your foundation. Because when you truly know your material and can communicate it effectively, you don’t just become more confident—you become more impactful.

This article was originally inspired by a LinkedIn post I wrote. You can read the original version here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/narrowing-your-topic-key-confident-speaking-sharing-foland–7aqme