What Makes a Good Public Speaker?
/You know that anxious feeling at the bottom of your stomach when you have a key speech to make in public? Does your mind sometimes go blank when you present, even though you know you are an expert and can make a valuable contribution? How frustrating is it when your great ideas are not accepted?
Public speaking is hard. Really hard.
What Challenges Does Public Speaking Present?
There are two key challenges most of my clients face. The first challenge is to overcome their crippling fear/their feelings of anxiety. And the second is to develop a new skill set. These two are closely linked as confidence grows when skills are mastered, the development becomes visible, and the impact is recognised.
Let’s start with fear.
It's completely normal to feel stressed and anxious when speaking in front of others. That intense feeling of anxiety is something many professionals experience, including those individuals in both high and lower positions. So you're not alone, if you feel like this.
Public speaking anxiety has been widely researched and given an acronym, PSA. Studies have shown that as much as 40 - 70% of the population experiences some form of PSA. This can show itself as having a blank mind, sweaty hands, a shaky voice, speaking too fast, etc.
This needs for executive communication becomes more apparent as your career progresses, which can make the fear grow even more. You feel exposed and judged, yet you know how critical this skill is for you and your organisation to drive the positive change you want.
What I discovered over the last ten years is many professionals don’t have these essential skills in their native tongue either, French (here’s the link to the French version of this article) or Flemish (and the link to the Flemish version). As a result, they are constantly anxious and stressed about speaking in public and frustrated with their performance. And this is further amplified when having to present in English. Many are simply very fearful.
Perhaps this resonates with you.
And now, let’s look at the second challenge: learning a new skill set. Presentation skills are unfortunately not taught at many schools or universities, especially in more technically based subjects such as engineering, science, and IT. Or if they are, the level can be quite generic. This means individuals enter organisations before they have mastered public speaking.
I strongly believe you don’t need fluent or perfect English to make great presentations, but what you need is great delivery.
How Can these challenges be Resolved?
Powerful communication is complex and multisensory, which is why I think one or two-day quick ‘fix it’ courses simply don't give you the transformation your communication really needs.
The resolution lies in improving four powerful pillars of communication: language, voice and body, presentation skills (including slide design and starting strong), and clear pronunciation.
Inspired by what people needed help with most across the communication pillars, I developed a comprehensive 12 modular online course to give high-impact persuasive presentations. When coaching, I combine my course with an AI speech app and a step-by-step approach over 3 to 6 months. Sadly, there are no shortcuts.
How Critical are the Voice and Body in Delivering Powerful Communication?
Both are key.
You see, the human brain makes multiple millisecond judgments based on sight and sounds the moment you first see and meet someone. The subconscious assesses and reads the posture, and appearance, to decide if you will warm to them and if you can trust the person in front of you. So body language is critical. It gives you presence and authority too. And people perceive you to be a better leader if you have stronger body language.
And as a result, you can exert more influence on your audience.
Do you have a strong presence when you enter the room? And do you know how to take up more space when you address an audience?
And what about the voice?
The moment we open our mouths, we make an impression. Just like our visual image, the way we dress, and the way we move. Again, this is usually happening at a subconscious level.
For example, we often associate a smart appearance with a professional attitude or a smile with a friendly person. These are, of course, positive assumptions. But there are negative ones too, say tightly crossed arms or dirty shoes.
And it's the same with your voice. It's your vocal image. We all have one, which can also carry either positive or negative assumptions.
Our voices are complicated instruments, and unless we've had singing or acting lessons, we aren't usually taught how to use them and, therefore, how to appreciate the power this incredible tool can have.
I wonder if you like the sound of your voice and if you know how to make it sound engaging so you can hook your audience and they listen to every word you have to say.
Our voices and bodies play an even larger role when communicating online, as much of the body is now hidden. This affects charismatic in-person speakers too, as their physical presence and energy are now missing.
How will the Voice and Body workshop begin to resolve my challenges?
During the workshop at BECI on 29 June 2023, we’ll explore the theory taken from my course modules: Vocal Image and Body Language. Then we’ll learn how to put this into practice with engaging activities which you can immediately implement the moment you return to your office.
You’ll learn practical techniques on how to:
· Show authority with your body
· Connect with your eyes
· Amplify with your gestures
· Capture your audience with your voice.
This workshop is accessible to professionals with upper intermediate English and above; that is Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level B2.
I want you to stop worrying about your accent, your prepositions, or using complicated English expressions.
Focus on what really matters: your audience and your valuable messages, and communicate with impact to inspire positive change.
If you would like discuss running a Voice and Body workshop for your organisation or any other Presentation communication needs, I offer free through the contact page of my site. I’d love to meet you.