I was having a frank discussion with a friend recently when we struck up a conversation about public speaking. Up to that point my friend, let's call him David (not his real name) was quite animated when discussing topics that interested him. He was even reflecting on his early childhood experiences and cracking jokes during the conversation.
But as soon I said that he should share his experiences as a guest speaker to a wider group of people to encourage them, David retreated, literally taking a step back. The pitch of his voice became higher. His shoulders became hunched, indicating his feelings of stress and anxiety. He hummed and hawed for a while not able to commit to my invitation to speak in an open but informal forum.
There are a number of things people have a common fear of and, while bungee jumping in New Zealand, eating fried grasshoppers in Thailand, and walking on a bed of hot coal embers in India may be some of them, public speaking is another activity at the top of many people's fear-list.
In an earlier blog, I shared how a group of my colleagues and I, all of us around late-20s of age decided one day to enrol in a public speaking course. While I can't remember how long the course was, I do remember the course was immediately after our end of work day at 5pm. So from our offices in the city we would take a short tram ride to the class. There we learnt the basics of public speaking which upon reflection, put me in good stead for my future.
Today, there are many organisations offering public speaking coaching classes where students can discover how to overcome stage fright and speak with confidence, how to create memorable presentations, how to dress and look the part when presenting, and if it’s their desire, move on to be established influential speakers.
While learning the tips for public speaking may be comparatively easy and straight forward, the challenge is the ability to make a connection with the audience. Below are some practices I have adopted over the years, however acknowledging that I am far from being up there in the stratosphere of acclaimed speakers.
Many practitioners focus on the 'technical and operational' side of public speaking, however there is another dimension which is the 'strategic and relational' side of public speaking. Here are some pointers from my thirty years plus of experience presenting at conferences, giving lectures and speaking at churches around the world.
1. How to handle nerves is the first thing one needs to overcome. In actual fact I don't think you really ever overcome from having 'butterflies' in the tummy before an event. This is a natural phenomenon for us humans. The surge of adrenaline, with heighten heart beat causes the body to be alert and ready for 'the big stage'. Everyone has their own technique in how to be calm. Personally I switch off from what's happening around me, I focus on my opening line or two and say a quiet prayer before I take to the lectern. Others will try to meditate or have some quite time before getting into their zone of comfort. Build your confidence by starting your public speaking journey in small groups.
2. It is very important that a speaker is knowledgeable with the topic he or she is presenting. Don't try to speak on a topic that you are unfamiliar with. The audience can see right through you. If the topic is new to you, you will need to spend time researching it and understanding its subject matter. Above all try to be enthusiastic when delivering your presentation. In as much as the audience can see through a poorly prepared speaker, if you show that you love the subject, the audience just might love it as well. Reading over your presentation material and rehearsing the presentation will help in reducing unnecessary stress before the event.
3. I try to mingle among the audience if the opportunity presents itself before the event. Understanding your audience is important to striking the right 'key' when presenting. During my time presenting to university students, I would ask the lecturer in charge of the class the academic discipline amongst the students in the auditorium. For example are they a majority of IT, accounting, business or engineering students. This helps me get the vibes of the audience, especially helpful when emphasizing certain points. If you are speaking at an event where other speakers have preceded you, incorporating something appropriate from an earlier speaker lends credence to your topic and also demonstrates to the audience of your active participation in listening to others present.
4. Like writing a proposal or academic paper, your presentation should begin with the objective of the session, a high-level explanation of the topic and what the take-aways will be. I often start by giving the audience a background of myself. The background could be my qualifications, my career history or even my migrant story. This allows them to make a personal connection with me. It also builds a level of credibility with the topic I am speaking about. At the end of my presentation, I would summarise the main items and the take-aways for the audience to consider the possibilities for future actions.
5. While it may not be obvious to you as a speaker, how you stand at the lectern is important from a visual perspective. Don't lean on the lectern as if using it for support. Be confident. Dress appropriately for the occasion, even casually if it warrants it. Depending on the formality of the event, walking (but not too much) on either side of the lectern to make a point and making eye contact with different parts of the audience is useful when trying to create rapport with the audience. Of course, in formal settings like at a funeral, or at a valedictory or an awards night, standing at the lectern would be more appropriate. Allow your personality to show through when it comes to attire.
6. While it is not generally easy to ask for feedback, I have found that when I am delivering to a class, I use the technique of stopping during my presentation to ask the audience if what is being said makes sense. I use this sparingly depending on the class, subject and audience. Often I will follow-up with a question hoping that a student or two would provide responses. Keeping an eye of the body language of your audience is vital if you are aiming for a successful outcome. Catching sight of people yawning, fidgeting or looking straight ahead with 'glassed eyes' are sure signs that your message is not getting through. If possible stop, and get them to stand up to take a 60-second breather. This will give you time to see what you can do to modify in your presentation, for example skipping a slide or two.
If you are participating as a conference speaker, presenting to a weary audience can be problematic if you are the last speaker at the end of a long day. If this is the case, as I have been a ‘late speaker’, continue to show your personality, your enthusiasm and the love of your topic. It is important for you as the presenter to modulate your voice with 'light and shade'. And if you are very familiar with the topic, having spoken about it often, where appropriate you could 'go off script' and tell a story relevant to the topic. During a presentation, irrespective of whether you are the sole speaker or the last presenter on the day, remember you are there to add value to the audiences' knowledge. So give it your 100%. Author and speaker Brian Tracy said, "The more you like and respect yourself, the more you like and respect other people. The more you consider yourself to be a valuable and worthwhile person, the more you consider others to be valuable and worthwhile as well."
7. Sprinkle your presentation with humour. It is not only about telling jokes. It’s more of a light hearted way of weaving relevant stories or experiences into your presentation. It is important to allow your personality to come across. As was with me, often after the event many members of the audience would come up to me for further comment or introduce themselves to me. You want to have the same persona after the event as during the presentation. The success of your ability to make connections with your audience is reflected in the connections that you make after the presentation.
8. If you are using audio visuals in your presentation, ensure that the equipment is checked beforehand. Even as simple as ensuring that your presentation visuals are compliant with the venue's audio visual systems. I have experienced on a few occasions when my presentation was 'behaving' perfectly on my computer, all to be proved wrong when installed on another computer. Remember when using slides try to avoid putting the spoken words on the slides but use bullet points to speak to. Check the size of your fonts too. The slides are not your written cue lines so try to avoid reading the slides out to the audience. You are there to add value and show your knowledge.
9. I have used both written scripts and simple structured notes to present. For presentations which I have delivered on multiple occasions I often speak without any notes to the visuals displayed on the screen. Each method used is dependent on the occasion or the formality of the event, on the venue and also on the size of the audience present. The bottom line with any presentation is keep things simple. Avoid jargon. And if you are presenting technical details to a predominantly non-technical audience, consider using analogies, allegories, or examples where the general public can relate to. This, together with speaking off the cuff are skills that are honed over time.
10. I try to have fun and always enjoy when speaking. It is important to allow your personality to supplement the material you're presenting. Like talking to a close friend or a group of close friends, when presenting I focus on the few in the audience and imagine that I am talking to each of them, though conscious that there is a crowd in front of me.
11. I consider myself a 'change agent' when giving a public speech. As John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying, "The only reason to give a speech is to change the world." As a speaker, if you can reach the heart of the audience you have build a rapport with them. The content thereafter becomes applicable and relevant to them. They may wish to pursue the subject further and adopt the change you've inspired them to do. The experience you have given to your audience then becomes memorable and potentially life changing.
For my friend David who is still hesitant in public speaking, it was said by Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, "Don't wait around for someone else to tell your story. Do it yourself by whatever means necessary." DiCaprio was encouraging individuals to take the initiative in sharing their stories, reinforcing the idea that everyone's voice is valuable.
I believe with Public Speaking - Anyone Can!
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