The fine art of looking smart while speaking English.
(image from sloctc.org)
How to Become an Effective and Memorable Public Speaker: Part One
More than 40 years ago I was an Air Force instructor. It prepared me well for all the praise and criticism, applause and rotten tomatoes that were to come my way for many years as I gave presentations hither and yon for different audiences on various subjects. I also taught at the university level where attention spans are measureable in minutes. Over a longer span of time I observed many bad teachers and presenters and a few good ones. I made mental notes of the things that I liked and did not like. But it was during my Air Force days when I really learned my craft. We had video cameras and we had to watch our own presentations while being critiqued by an unrelenting group—our own group of trainees. Rank had no privileges. We were a cruel bunch who took our vengeances out on each other. We walloped each other until we got it right. Off and on for about 20 years, I’ve also critiqued and presented with Toastmaster’s International. They are so much kinder.
In this presentation I want to recall a few of those glorious days of yesteryear in a final burst of glory, not to elevate my achievements nor even to create a few that never were. Now, I simply want to pass on a few insights about how you, the reader, can become an incredibly memorable public speaker, a task that remains beyond the abilities of all but a tiny few in this hectic age. Good speakers are so rare today that I have all but given up on a chance of bumping into one in my waning days. It is a dying art that deserves resurrection. So why not help create a few while I can? This much I promise you: Follow my hints and suggestions and you will feel better about yourself. It's probably the best opportunity you will ever have to show all those who predicted your total failure in life that the last laugh's on them. You may even reach new heights of success in whatever else you do. Either way, I will have “given something back.” Just think of it as a “win/win” venture, for you and for me.
Public speaking, as you probably don’t know, remains among the most feared of all human endeavors, surpassing even the fear of death and dying. So, at a minimum, you’re going to learn how to push the fear of facing others—with nothing between you and them but your dignity—farther down the totem pole of fears. You may even learn to like and welcome it. Remember: Reading about it is no substitute for doing it. I would and do urge all those who want to become accomplished speakers to join a club of others with the same objective. Toastmaster’s is a good choice.
When I was tapped for instructor duty I already had 13 years of experience plying my craft in many locations throughout the world. I was good in my chosen field, but teaching skills are pretty much universal across subject matter and are independent from the subject taught, so I will not venture into tales of how I saved the world from tyrants and despots. I will only note that expertise at almost any trade or profession does not in any way, shape, or form prepare you for the presenter’s stage where you must entertain, persuade, and enlighten. It’s a different set of skills altogether.
First, forget everything you think you know about public speaking. Just wipe the slate clean. All the things you think apply are probably wrong because you heard about them from people who learned them from people who knew not what they were talking about. In the new format you must be part entertainer, part persuader, and part teacher. As an entertainer you are an actor. You must “make ‘em laugh,” or “make ‘em cry” and “leave ‘em wanting more.” As a persuader you must present a logical presentation that is compelling. You must be able to present facts and evidence in a distilled way that leads your audience to your conclusion. If you can make them believe it’s their conclusion, all the better. As a teacher you must enlighten without condescension. Show them how their new knowledge is just an extension of what they already know—even if they are really dumb as dirt. Especially if they are dumb as dirt.
How you look is not very important. If you are incredibly sexy and good looking, that’s fine. But you still have to bring more than eye candy for an audience of more than 10 people. They want to be entertained without distractions. So you need to learn how to entertain in a new way. To do that you must first learn to avoid a long list of things that annoy the hell out of people. Otherwise, you will be just another boring speaker. Here are some of the things audiences hate:
Don’t look down, and don’t look up. Don’t stare; don’t be glum; don’t turn away and speak to an audience behind you. Don’t say “umm” and don’t say “ahh.” If done repeatedly, it drives people nuts. Don’t ever say “ya know.” It lets everyone know you are a teenager caught in a time warp. Don’t frown, and don’t apologize—for anything! Don’t scratch your ass; don’t jingle the change in your pocket (everyone will think you’re playing with yourself); don’t stand in one place too long (a moving target is harder to hit); don’t contradict yourself; don’t be boastful; don’t tell lies; and never apologize. Don’t insult anyone’s intelligence, religion, ethnicity, race, culture, or beliefs; don’t try to be a comedian (unless you really are one!); don’t act like a know-it-all (even if you really are one). Don’t complain; don’t whine (oh, do audiences hate whiners!) Don’t let anyone intimidate you; and did I mention, Never Apologize?
And here’s what audiences love:
Know your audience, their age, their quirks, their likes and dislikes; be current; tell a joke or humorous story that involves them; be humble (but not too humble); be friendly (but not too friendly); smile (but not too much); dress the part; be prepared (never let them see you sweat}; look right in their eyes (if you can’t, then pick a spot on their foreheads, they won’t know the difference); don’t stare at one person (linger for 3 or 4 seconds on someone’s face and then move to someone nearby); pace yourself; remember that every presentation must tell a story with an introduction, a body, and a closing. Speak loud enough to be heard, but no screaming. Speak clearly. Open with an eye-opener; you must grab their interest; present an overview of what’s coming; answer their biggest question (“what’s in it for me?”--WIFM); tell your story in a way that shows your command of the subject; build their interest in layers with each layer creating a new anticipation; build to a crescendo with a final statement that knocks them for a loop. Don’t be shy about what their new knowledge means—tell them; summarize by hitting only the high points; in your close leave them gasping for more. First impressions are for job interviews. In a presentation you get one last chance to bring the house down; go for a standing ovation. Exit smiling and with grace—even if you can smell the tar and see the feathers.
In Part II we will discuss how to defeat stage fright, how to transcend audience intimidation, how to stop hecklers cold, plus details of how to put together a presentation that makes you look like a candidate for an academy award.
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