Abstract:

As engineering leadership has evolved, the need for more effective communicators and public speaking skills for technical leaders has become more critical. For employees that are often hired for their technical expertise, it is the non-technical expertise, such as effective communication with peers, subordinates and upper management, that is critical as they move up in leadership roles within the organization. Public speaking plays a significant role throughout an individual’s career from start to finish. As an early professional, the ability to communicate ideas and objectives clearly to others plays a vital role in how you are perceived by your peers and those in leadership positions. As a result, individuals with exceptional public speaking skills are better suited to continue their career progression.

Though an important skill, engineers tend to rank poorly in their communication skills. An investigation led by a professional engineering association assessed the state of engineering education and determined recommendations to improve current curriculums and improve new graduate performance. Industry supervisors were surveyed to identify potential weaknesses of recent graduates entering the workforce. Almost half indicated that recent graduates were "weak" in oral communication skills. These findings help show that public speaking abilities are essential in engineers' early career development.

The aim of this research study is to explore the utility of virtual reality (VR) and soft skill development through emotional intelligence (EQ) and mindfulness instruction in the context of developing effective engineering leaders within higher education for more effective communicators within the engineering field.

For VR to be effective in public speaking training it should elicit similar responses as a live presentation. Various research studies have sought to determine whether or not the stressors experienced during VR sessions were indicative of similar stress responses an individual would experience in real-world scenarios. These studies found that the stress stimuli produced in a VR environment were like those in a real-life environment indicating the utility of VR experience to improve real-life performance.

EQ can be described as an intersection of interrelated emotional and social competencies, skills that influence the ability to express emotions, connect with others, and the ability to cope with stress. EQ has shown that higher performers in the workplace tend to have significantly higher EQ scores. Better EQ skills allows for individuals to better cope with stress and connect with others. It is hypothesized that improving EQ will improve the physiological response and the perception of public speaking experiences.

This study utilizes an exploratory action research approach. Subjects in this study completed EQ and DISC assessments, mindfulness instruction, and participated in two VR and one live public speaking presentation. Subjects wore a Fitbit Luxe device to collect physiological data during the VR simulated and live presentations. The VR software collected data such as speech analysis and head and eye movement.

The purpose of this presentation is to present the results of a pilot study that investigated the extent VR and EQ can be considered tools to improve public speaking skills and experiences for individuals in the engineering field and b) students’ perceptions about the use of VR as a method for leadership development.

Keywords:

Public Speaking, Engineering.