Becoming a Better Public Speaker: Tips From the Greats
Heart thumping so loud I know everyone can hear it. Face and neck
flushing red. Sweat beads beginning to sprout and then trickle down my
forehead.
No, this is not the moment in front of the crowd and under the
spotlights—this comes from just THINKING about that moment! Whether it’s
speaking in front of our school faculty, presenting at a local school board
meeting, or testifying in front of Congress, many of us feel anxiety about
public speaking. So what can we do to be better prepared as public speakers?
Here’s a few lessons from some speaking greats.
Embrace
the Anxiety
Did you know that Warren Buffett used to be terrified of speaking
in public? According to this story in Forbes
magazine, he picked out his college courses based on whether he’d have to speak
in front of the class, avoiding the ones where he knew he’d be forced to face
his fear. He even dropped a public speaking course.
But then he decided he would have to overcome this fear to be in
business. And that he did—becoming not only one of the world’s richest people
but also a well-respected storyteller.
We can all do the same thing. A fear of public speaking is not
just common; it is innate. Our ancestors had to be accepted into social groups
in order to survive, instead of standing out and being alone (and then possibly
being a predator’s dinner!). We have to acknowledge our fears; don’t try to
pretend they’re not there! Instead, harness the jitters and refocus them by
thinking of those nerves as positive energy and excitement. If we reframe
anxiety as our desire to do our best, it can help us control those feelings.
Connect
With Your Audience
Have you ever watched Bill Clinton speak? I recently talked with
several people who have, and one thing rang true for them all: He can make
connections! Clinton seems to have a way of making people feel like he is
connected to them and who they are.
So the lesson here? Don’t talk to people, talk with
people. Whether it’s 25 or 250 people, in your head, frame it as a
conversation, not a speech. Think of the faces in front of you as your flock.
Nurture them and your relationship with them. Make eye contact. Bring them
along on the conversational journey.
Be
Aware of Your Body Language
This is another homage to Bill Clinton. He smiles during positive points,
gestures with his palms for added inflection, and furrows his brows during
serious moments. When he is making a point, he uses his index finger to tap the
podium in front of him.
This behavior is backed by Harvard professor Amy Cuddy’s TED talk and research,
which shows that our body language can send just as big of a message as our
words. Albert Mehrabian, a UCLA professor who has done
extensive research on nonverbal communication, stated in a communication study
that, in regards to liking a speaker, seven percent happens in spoken words, 38
percent happens through voice tone, and 55 percent happens through general body
language.
This can be hard to focus on while you’re up in front of the
masses, so sometimes I need some help. I write messages to myself in the
margins to relax. Smile. Have fun. Think about what message my body is sending
that I might not be aware of.
Tell
a Story
Think about the elements and flow of a great story. What drew you
in? What kept you reading or listening? Chip and Dan Heath mention this in the
book Made to Stick. The same elements go into a
great speech! Paint a picture with your words. When it comes to advocacy, this
is especially important. Show the faces of your students and what affects them.
Connect
With Your Emotions and Show Passion
Don’t be afraid to be human in front of an audience. There is
something great about human connection that builds relationships, even from
behind a podium. A great example of this is Rita Pierson, who emits her love
and passion through every syllable in her speech “Every Kid Needs a Champion.”
Be
Succinct
Think of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Big
message, 265 words. I think we sometimes think more is more, but the mantra
“less is more” really stands true.
Use
Wit
Think of the last line of Socrates’s famous speech, given after he was
condemned to death: “But it is now time to depart—for me to die, for you to
live. But which of us is going to a better state is unknown to everyone but
God.” Now, I wasn’t a literature major, but I am a connoisseur of witty banter
and comments. I took that comment as the ultimate example of a witty closing comment
(pun intended).
Think
About Cadence, and Don't Be Afraid of Silence
The perfect example of cadence? Martin Luther King, Jr., in “I Have a Dream.” The
intonation, the inflection of his words, the rhythm, and the power of a
carefully placed pause. Don’t be afraid of silence—it can be more powerful than
any word. I have another trick here: I write notes to myself. “Pause,” written
in capital letters, or underlining words to emphasize. I read lines over and
over again until the cadence feels right.
Use
Repetition as a Golden Thread
Repetition can tie your message together. Think of Winston
Churchill’s “Blood, Toil, Sweat, and Tears,”
where this great orator would weave a phrase through both the beginning and end
of a speech. I wouldn’t use this strategy all the time, but it’s a good trick
to have in your back pocket.
Relax
and Have Fun
I have to remind myself to do this. So at the top of my notes for
a speech, I write two words: “Breathe. Relax.” When your adrenaline is pumping
and the spotlight is on you, what seems like common sense may slip our mind. A
reminder really helps.
Know
Your Style
Do you need notes? How much practice do you need until you feel
comfortable? How much scaffolding do you need so you are comfortable in the
moment? Should you print out your whole speech to have on hand in case panic
strikes (yes, this happens.)?
Know yourself and give yourself whatever support you need to be
the best “you.” I practice my speech and record it so I can listen, reflect,
and refine. I also make sure to time my speeches so I know what content to cut
and what needs additional work.
Keep
Your Print Large
Twelve-point font is not always helpful under the spotlights, in
front of a crowd, and when your heart is thumping like the Energizer Bunny on
Red Bull. If you decide to print out your speech and notes, do so with a larger
font size that you can easily read when you glance down. Also, highlight the
important pieces of your speech so if you go off on a tangent, you make sure to
hook back into those key points.
Source | http://www.ap.org