Break Away From the Podium to Connect with Your Audience
By Sean Silverthorne | March 25, 2010
Like many top teaching institutions, Harvard Business School invests heavily in training faculty to become dynamic classroom presenters. Observing the best of them at work is like watching a master actor take command of the theater.
HBS professors rarely stand still, often sprinting from student to student to tease out insights on a case study. Their hands fly over a half-dozen blackboards that raise and lower for emphasis. There may be a podium in the room, but the teacher is not behind it for long.
Leaving the podium lectern behind, getting physically nearer your audience, is one key to making sure you’re being listened to. In particular, you want to get within 12 feet of at least some of your audience, and the closer, the better.
Why 12 feet? It’s biology. If someone is a dozen or more feet away from us, our automatic personal security system regards them as non threatening — another way of saying they’re far enough away not to be of interest, reports speechmeister Nick Morgan:
“Standing behind a podium means that you’re almost guaranteed to be more than twelve feet from everyone. That means that no one is very interested in you, at the unconscious level,” Morgan writes on HBR.org. “So one of the easiest ways to up the ante on your performance is to warm up the connections between you and your audience by leaving the podium and entering into carefully chosen audience member’s personal space.” Personal space is defined as between four and 12 feet.
One simple technique: When making an important point, move toward your audience or particular audience members. Move away to signal a change in subject.
“This choreography is a simple, easy way to enormously improve the connection you make with your audience, without even raising your voice.”
MY THOUGHTS
i hate podiums. and microphones. unless they are wireless and will allow me to move around. podiums seem to create a wall between the speaker and the audience. i don't want that. i want my audience to feel like we are in an informal environment having informal conversations.
Monday, February 21, 2011
BEGIN YOUR SPEECH IN THE MIDDLE
Begin Your Speech in the Middle
By Sean Silverthorne | February 8, 2011
How many times have you sat down anxiously to hear a talk, only to be stultified with blah-blah-blah. “Thanks for coming. I’m honored to be here today. Thanks specifically to Dennis and his team for bringing me to Acme Anvil to talk about developing marketing strategies in a global world. First, let me tell you a little bit about myself.”
The audience is already reaching for its collective Blackberries.
That’s why speech expert Nick Morgan advises executives to begin their speech in the middle. Here’s a great opener.
“Many people watching tonight can probably remember a time when finding a good job meant showing up at a nearby factory or a business downtown … That world has changed … The rules have changed. In a single generation, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business. Steel mills that once needed 1,000 workers can now do the same work with 100. Today, just about any company can set up shop, hire workers, and sell their products wherever there’s an Internet connection.”
Unfortunately for President Obama, who delivered those words at the State of the Union last month, they didn’t open the speech. They came after minutes of greetings to people in the audience and platitudes about democracy and jobs. He should have started his speech in the middle.
How can you tell what needs to be cut? Morgan advises:
“You can tell when rhetoric is empty — and therefore should be cut — because it would never be possible to say the alternative. Could a president begin by insulting the Speaker, ‘dissing’ a tragically ailing representative, trashing the democratic process, or coming out against jobs? Of course not. Therefore, nothing is being said. Speeches are much more interesting for the audience when they dispense with the polite nothings and get right to the meat.”
For more valuable advice, read his HBR.org blog post, How CEOs Can Improve Speeches.
I agree completely with Nick. If you want to capture the audience from the starting line, don’t begin with the obvious, the expected, the empty words. My BNET colleague Geoffrey James, who writes the terrific Sales Machine blog, takes up this theme as well. He says sales presentations should start with a “heart stopper,” such as telling a company they’ve just lost $100 million, and here is what can be done about it.
How do you begin your speeches? Do you futz around or get down to business?
MY THOUGHTS
the message is clear - if you're going to deliver a presentation or a speech, strive to be unique. start with a bang that makes your audience sitting on the edge of their seats. and wanting to hear more. tall order but possible. do away with the welcome remarks. jump right in to what people came for.
By Sean Silverthorne | February 8, 2011
How many times have you sat down anxiously to hear a talk, only to be stultified with blah-blah-blah. “Thanks for coming. I’m honored to be here today. Thanks specifically to Dennis and his team for bringing me to Acme Anvil to talk about developing marketing strategies in a global world. First, let me tell you a little bit about myself.”
The audience is already reaching for its collective Blackberries.
That’s why speech expert Nick Morgan advises executives to begin their speech in the middle. Here’s a great opener.
“Many people watching tonight can probably remember a time when finding a good job meant showing up at a nearby factory or a business downtown … That world has changed … The rules have changed. In a single generation, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business. Steel mills that once needed 1,000 workers can now do the same work with 100. Today, just about any company can set up shop, hire workers, and sell their products wherever there’s an Internet connection.”
Unfortunately for President Obama, who delivered those words at the State of the Union last month, they didn’t open the speech. They came after minutes of greetings to people in the audience and platitudes about democracy and jobs. He should have started his speech in the middle.
How can you tell what needs to be cut? Morgan advises:
“You can tell when rhetoric is empty — and therefore should be cut — because it would never be possible to say the alternative. Could a president begin by insulting the Speaker, ‘dissing’ a tragically ailing representative, trashing the democratic process, or coming out against jobs? Of course not. Therefore, nothing is being said. Speeches are much more interesting for the audience when they dispense with the polite nothings and get right to the meat.”
For more valuable advice, read his HBR.org blog post, How CEOs Can Improve Speeches.
I agree completely with Nick. If you want to capture the audience from the starting line, don’t begin with the obvious, the expected, the empty words. My BNET colleague Geoffrey James, who writes the terrific Sales Machine blog, takes up this theme as well. He says sales presentations should start with a “heart stopper,” such as telling a company they’ve just lost $100 million, and here is what can be done about it.
How do you begin your speeches? Do you futz around or get down to business?
MY THOUGHTS
the message is clear - if you're going to deliver a presentation or a speech, strive to be unique. start with a bang that makes your audience sitting on the edge of their seats. and wanting to hear more. tall order but possible. do away with the welcome remarks. jump right in to what people came for.
Friday, February 11, 2011
HOW TO FIX LONG PRESENTATIONS
HOW TO FIX TOO LONG PRESENTATIONS
from the articleTop 20 Reasons Presentations Suck and How To Fix Them
By Geoffrey James
www.bnet.com
Most business presentations suck. They're boring. They're confusing. They're out of touch. This gallery explains exactly why most presentations are so dreadful, and what to do make your own presentations better.
Too Freakin' Long
* Diagnosis: It presents way more than anybody wants to know.
* Why It Happens: The speaker is “spraying and praying” in hope that something works.
* What Results: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
* How to Fix It: Always make your presentation less than half as long as you think it should be.
MY THOUGHTS
in other words, don't get carried away.know how much time you have for the presentation. if the presentation is short simply tell the audience the "must-know". if you have more time, include the "should-know". if there are no other speakers and you have all the time, then you can share the "nice-to-know". whatever you've prepared,long or short, be very sensitive to your audience. when you see them getting restless or already snoring,it's time to change gears or put a break.
from the articleTop 20 Reasons Presentations Suck and How To Fix Them
By Geoffrey James
www.bnet.com
Most business presentations suck. They're boring. They're confusing. They're out of touch. This gallery explains exactly why most presentations are so dreadful, and what to do make your own presentations better.
Too Freakin' Long
* Diagnosis: It presents way more than anybody wants to know.
* Why It Happens: The speaker is “spraying and praying” in hope that something works.
* What Results: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
* How to Fix It: Always make your presentation less than half as long as you think it should be.
MY THOUGHTS
in other words, don't get carried away.know how much time you have for the presentation. if the presentation is short simply tell the audience the "must-know". if you have more time, include the "should-know". if there are no other speakers and you have all the time, then you can share the "nice-to-know". whatever you've prepared,long or short, be very sensitive to your audience. when you see them getting restless or already snoring,it's time to change gears or put a break.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
CONQUER YOUR FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
Conquering Your Fear of Public Speaking
By Steve Tobak | January 26, 2009
http://www.bnet.com/blog/ceo/conquering-your-fear-of-public-speaking/1690
People fear public speaking more than anything else. You probably knew that, but did you know that a significant percentage of accomplished professionals, managers, and executives suffer from this debilitating fear? That’s right, people just like you.
Apparently, career-minded, achievement-oriented people are more likely to worry about performance and appearances - the source of most speaking fear - than others are.
To make matters worse, sufferers are typically embarrassed and reluctant to admit they have a problem. They hide a deep concern about the phobia’s affect on their careers in an industry that values presentation skills so highly.
One particular experience at an executive conference sticks with me. While a senior Microsoft executive and I sat in the audience, sharing techniques for calming our own nerves, we watched the president of a large Japanese company present. His hands were trembling and his voice was shaky. He had a rough time, but he got through it.
My heart went out to him, not just because I was scheduled to present the following day and shared his fear, but because he had the courage to confront it.
What’s the cause?
In short, it’s part of the fight or flight response that generates adrenaline, an ancient survival mechanism that lives within each of us. That’s what accounts for the nerves, anxiety, and panic. The underlying cause may be a single unpleasant event or something deeper. In any case, it’s a learned response, and as such, it can be unlearned.
How do you conquer it?
The worst thing you can do is ignore it or avoid public speaking. This is no different from any other challenge you’ve addressed in the past. Deal with it logically and methodically and improvement will follow.
Here are five steps to Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking:
1. Face your fear. Admit that you have a problem, seek to understand it, and have faith that you will eventually conquer it. You’re far from alone and in very good company. Isolation is a big part of this fear. Talk about it with friends and family. Get it out. Then be brave and determined. You can conquer this and you will.
2. Know your material cold. When you do present, put your best foot forward by knowing your material backwards and forwards. Don’t memorize, just be clear on the key points you want to get across and be prepared to converse intelligently on the subject. Ability to think on your feet is really about confidence, knowledge, and preparation.
3. It’s not all about you. You worry that all eyes are on you and everyone can see how nervous you are. Well, guess what? They may be looking at you, but they’re either thinking about themselves or the content. And if you consider that half your audience has the same fear you have, they’re likely to be empathetic.
4. Interact with the audience. Relieve the feeling of isolation by interacting with the audience. Draw them into your presentation by asking leading questions and encouraging interaction. You’ll instantly feel more comfortable, and so will your audience. Side benefit: you’ll be a more dynamic and engaging speaker.
5. What’s the worst that can happen? That question can diffuse most life problems and it certainly applies here. What if your hands shake, you screw up, or you panic? First, that’s not likely to happen; it’s all in your head. Second, so what if it does? You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again. Failing is part of life and business; this is no different.
Also, check out How to Give a Killer Presentation; it’ll help build your confidence and reduce your fear.
If you have a fear of public speaking, have addressed your fear in the past, or have coached others, please share your feelings and experiences. It’s anonymous, a good way to start, and will help thousands of others.
MY THOUGHTS
i avoided speaking in public for years. then i ended up in training. i used to think numbers cause my nerves to get all tangled up. not so. it's who. not how many. i can get away with 500 employees in the audience. but 10 board members make me want to call in sick.
i don't think i've really conquered my fear. i just learned how to live with it. yes, preparation is the key. prayer can get you through it. and so what if i foul up? that won't make me a lesser person.
By Steve Tobak | January 26, 2009
http://www.bnet.com/blog/ceo/conquering-your-fear-of-public-speaking/1690
People fear public speaking more than anything else. You probably knew that, but did you know that a significant percentage of accomplished professionals, managers, and executives suffer from this debilitating fear? That’s right, people just like you.
Apparently, career-minded, achievement-oriented people are more likely to worry about performance and appearances - the source of most speaking fear - than others are.
To make matters worse, sufferers are typically embarrassed and reluctant to admit they have a problem. They hide a deep concern about the phobia’s affect on their careers in an industry that values presentation skills so highly.
One particular experience at an executive conference sticks with me. While a senior Microsoft executive and I sat in the audience, sharing techniques for calming our own nerves, we watched the president of a large Japanese company present. His hands were trembling and his voice was shaky. He had a rough time, but he got through it.
My heart went out to him, not just because I was scheduled to present the following day and shared his fear, but because he had the courage to confront it.
What’s the cause?
In short, it’s part of the fight or flight response that generates adrenaline, an ancient survival mechanism that lives within each of us. That’s what accounts for the nerves, anxiety, and panic. The underlying cause may be a single unpleasant event or something deeper. In any case, it’s a learned response, and as such, it can be unlearned.
How do you conquer it?
The worst thing you can do is ignore it or avoid public speaking. This is no different from any other challenge you’ve addressed in the past. Deal with it logically and methodically and improvement will follow.
Here are five steps to Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking:
1. Face your fear. Admit that you have a problem, seek to understand it, and have faith that you will eventually conquer it. You’re far from alone and in very good company. Isolation is a big part of this fear. Talk about it with friends and family. Get it out. Then be brave and determined. You can conquer this and you will.
2. Know your material cold. When you do present, put your best foot forward by knowing your material backwards and forwards. Don’t memorize, just be clear on the key points you want to get across and be prepared to converse intelligently on the subject. Ability to think on your feet is really about confidence, knowledge, and preparation.
3. It’s not all about you. You worry that all eyes are on you and everyone can see how nervous you are. Well, guess what? They may be looking at you, but they’re either thinking about themselves or the content. And if you consider that half your audience has the same fear you have, they’re likely to be empathetic.
4. Interact with the audience. Relieve the feeling of isolation by interacting with the audience. Draw them into your presentation by asking leading questions and encouraging interaction. You’ll instantly feel more comfortable, and so will your audience. Side benefit: you’ll be a more dynamic and engaging speaker.
5. What’s the worst that can happen? That question can diffuse most life problems and it certainly applies here. What if your hands shake, you screw up, or you panic? First, that’s not likely to happen; it’s all in your head. Second, so what if it does? You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again. Failing is part of life and business; this is no different.
Also, check out How to Give a Killer Presentation; it’ll help build your confidence and reduce your fear.
If you have a fear of public speaking, have addressed your fear in the past, or have coached others, please share your feelings and experiences. It’s anonymous, a good way to start, and will help thousands of others.
MY THOUGHTS
i avoided speaking in public for years. then i ended up in training. i used to think numbers cause my nerves to get all tangled up. not so. it's who. not how many. i can get away with 500 employees in the audience. but 10 board members make me want to call in sick.
i don't think i've really conquered my fear. i just learned how to live with it. yes, preparation is the key. prayer can get you through it. and so what if i foul up? that won't make me a lesser person.
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