speaking

Greg Steinbruner of Applied Speaking and Presenting recently discussed public speaking, in his words speaking to a purpose. He started by reminding us of some things. Liking speaking, or not liking speaking, does not correlate with how good you are at speaking. Speaking is a performing art. When you speak, you are simultaneously in a vulnerable and a powerful position.

Greg described a tripart framework for public speaking, the vertices of which are: you, your point and your audience. The idea is you should prepare for each of these vertices equally. You should pay attention and consider each segment that connects the vertices.

On your audience, you serve them. Research your audience before hand. Ensure that your audience is listening during your talk. Ensure that audience can see you completely (e.g., don’t hide hands in pockets, don’t hide your body behind a podium, don’t speak in the dark). The physical environment can make it hard to engage your audience — something you should fight.

On you, you should speak regularly. Regular practice will make you better. It’s easy to get better — most people do not practice or even think about it. The difference between a professional and an amateur is that a professional practices out loud. Practicing out loud is the most efficient way to optimize what your presentation. You need some anxiety to give a good talk. The fight-or-flight response has a downside (flight, making you run away, making you nervous) and a upside (fight, making you show confidence). Use the upside.

The opening is important - particularly the first seven seconds. People typically make a very quick, instinctive, decision about the speaker and the talk. It’s hard to change their perception if this initial read is negative. Smile/provoke, etc. Hook your audience early on. Ask the audience to come to the table. Be kinetic in a controlled way. Keep your arms at your sides (not in your pockets and not folded). This may feel vulnerable, but it looks confident.

On your point, the audience will primarily retain the start and the end of the talk. Say what you’re going to say, then say it, then say what you said. Repeat your point over and over. You are evaluated by your audience in a multitude of ways (the logic of your argument, the emotions you show and your appearance). So use lots of different ways to convince them (use the three forms of rhetoric: logos, pathos and ethos). Don’t try to learn your talk verbatim. If you do, it’s hard to sound engaging and hard to adapt to different circumstances.

Cicero Denounces Catiline, fresco by Cesare Maccari, 1882-1888.