‘A vital life skill’ that’s good for society

We’re moving towards a growing “culture of avoidance”, warns Sonal Dave, a public speaking coach and professional toastmaster, “where human contact has become optional, rather than what it should be: a vital life skill for people to develop.” She believes that even the most casual gestures – a smile, a few words in the queue for a coffee – are “where confidence begins.”

Dave says isolation can erode self-esteem. “Without genuine face-to-face interaction,” she explains, “people become withdrawn. Their anxiety increases and they begin to question their value or voice. Small talk isn’t small at all… In simple, everyday exchanges, we practise both being seen and heard.”