The Power of Public Speaking

For women leaders, the ability to speak fluently and convincingly, in a public or group setting, can dramatically influence your career. Why? A convincing public speaker is often seen as having good leadership potential – and this frequently opens the door to professional growth. As an effective public speaker, you convey confidence which can have a ripple effect, not only on your career, but on your personal life as well. While there are many fantastic resources out there to improve your public speaking – organizations like Toastmasters, and classes like Dale Carnegie training – there are also several tips and techniques you can employ on your own to be a better public speaker. So, before you deliver your next speech in public, consider the following:

FACE YOUR FEAR

If you’re like most people, you dread speaking in front of an audience. Surveys, in fact, show that people often fear public speaking more than death. It’s easier said than done, but you must confront your anxiety, says Nicole Wells, founder of Communication Gym (www. communicationgym.com) and an adjunct faculty member at New York University. Wells says every speaker gets uncomfortable or nervous. “Usually, you think you’re much worse than you really are,” adds Wells. And don’t apologize for any nervousness – this just distracts from your message. The audience probably won’t notice anyway. And if they do, they’re likely to be sympathetic.

PREPARE AND PRACTICE

Preparation is key to controlling your fear. If you know your material inside and out, and are ready to answer audience questions, you’re well on your way to giving a good speech. As soon as you know your topic, start work on your speech. Think about what message or information you want to get across. Do your research and write an outline. Then: practice, practice, practice. Familiarity reduces the fear. Take advantage of opportunities where you can speak in front of an audience: • When attending a seminar or sitting in an audience yourself, ask questions of the speaker. (Often you must move to a microphone to ask your question.) • Call in to a radio station to ask a question or voice an opinion. • Tell stories to your spouse, children and colleagues. • Volunteer to introduce a speaker. • Join an organization like your homeowner’s association, a volunteer board or your parent teacher association.

CHECK OUT THE VENUE IN ADVANCE

It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the room in which you’ll be speaking. • Arrive early. Test the microphone and any visual aids, and practice using them.

• Also note where your audience will be sitting. If 100 people are confirmed for a 300-seat room, they’ll be scattered around. • Do you have a chance to meet your listeners beforehand?

Mingling before the presentation allows your audience to get to know you, enhancing your credibility with them.

START WITH A STRONG LEAD

Don’t begin with a weak “Thank you for that kind introduction.” Or “It’s a pleasure to be here. I’ll begin with a funny joke I heard last night.” Just smile at the emcee, pause, then launch right into your speech. Your opening statement must be compelling enough to get the audience onboard right away. You can grab attention with: • a thoughtful question • a relevant anecdote or personal story • a startling statistic • an appropriate and interesting quote • a challenging statement • a pertinent news headline

SIMPLIFY AND CLARIFY

If you want to keep the attention of your audience your message must be crystal clear and simple. You are looking to convey a few key points, or sow a couple (at most) seeds of inspiration. It can be very helpful to give the audience a roadmap, right from the outset, of what your goals are in your presentation, or what key points you wish to convey, and after you have delivered your message, summarize these points again for clarity. Keep it simple. Like in writing – less is usually more in effective public speaking.

PLEASE! NO DEATH BY POWERPOINT!

It is rare to see a professional presentation these days without the use of some form of media, or a PowerPoint. Multimedia and PowerPoint can be a highly effective addition to your speech when used correctly; however, it can also be the death of your presentation. Do not make slides full of bulleted points with size ten font. It is distracting, and people will stop listening to you. If people are reading and not listening, then your presentation will fail. You want the audience to focus on you. Use simple images and concise statements that cover the essence of what you are talking about, but that also require the audience to listen to you in order to understand your message.

SHOW SOME PASSION AND PERSONALITY

Let the audience feel your passion. Even if your presentation is technical, there is always an element that interests you in some way, or a story related to the material that uniquely resonates with you. Share your personality. You are in front of the crowd anyway, subject to their judgement, so you own the experience and allow your personality to shine.

STORIES CONNECT, STATISTICS VALIDATE – USE BOTH

An effective speaker touches both the hearts and the minds of the audience. We influence the emotional side of the audience by using stories. Stories are powerful – use them. You become doubly convincing by then using logic, reason, evidence and statistics to validate your point. An effective speaker uses both – logic and emotions, to convey their message.

MOVE AROUND

“The podium is a huge barrier,” says Wells. “Get away from the podium if you’re standing. You’ll score huge points with your audience.” Wear a little clipon microphone so you can move around on the stage. Movement creates interest for the audience and will also help you to release tension. If you’re seated in a panel, stand up and walk about at the front of the room. Or lean forward onto the table in front and look out at the audience (not the panel). If you’re the moderator of the panel, stand.

SEEK FEEDBACK

To improve your public speaking skills, you need to find out how others perceive you. Ask a friend or trusted colleague for honest but constructive feedback. Should you speak louder? Does your speech move them? (Why or why not?) What three areas could be improved? (How?).

What to avoid?

READING FROM YOUR NOTES

The fastest way to bore your audience is to read your notes. The best public speakers don’t rely on any notes at all. If you must, use index cards printed with key words or points. Glance at the key word to prompt your next thought. Then look into the eyes of the audience before expounding on that thought.

SPEAKING TOO FAST

Most people speak too quickly, especially if they’re nervous. And usually, they think they’re speaking more slowly than they actually are. Monitor your pace. A general pace of 150 to 180 words a minute is considered comfortable for most audiences.

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LACK OF EYE CONTACT

Failing to look at your audience is another common mistake. You want to create a rapport and make a connection with them. Don’t, however, gaze mechanically left to right, scanning the room like a surveillance camera. Instead, make eye contact with specific individuals in the audience. Talk to one person directly for one thought, then move on to another person for your next thought.

FAILING TO USE GOOD TRANSITIONS

If you don’t segue properly from one point to another, your speech will be muddy and disjointed. People perk up at transitions, says Wells. “They think, ‘I must listen to this new idea. There’s a new point coming along,’ so they pay extra attention.” Recap the point you’ve just made, then transition smoothly to the next. Examples of easy transitions include: • “Consequently…” • “Because of this…” • “On a similar note…” • “My third point is…” • “Turning now to…”

Where to go for more information and training.

TOASTMASTERS

One of the best ways to improve your public speaking skills is to join Toastmasters International. A non-profit organization, Toastmasters was formed to help people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. Toastmasters groups typically comprise 20 or so people, who meet weekly for an hour or two to practice giving prepared speeches and analyze each other’s talks. Check out www.toastmasters.org.

PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSES

Many colleges and universities offer public speaking classes. You can also organize members of your own network to meet for the purpose of practicing public speaking once a month.

HIRE A PERSONAL COACH

If you have a big speech coming up, consider hiring a personal coach to prepare you. An expert can help ensure that your body language and eye contact are congruent with your message, so you come across as authentic. A coach can also demonstrate points and videotape you, providing feedback on areas that need improvement. 2

By Jennifer Goldsmith Cerra Director of Communications, Herbein + Company, Inc.