'CONNECT' 16: Tips on Public Speaking

'Communication works for those who work at it'

John Powell

Having understood the basic principle that we should have a good command on the language in which we want to speak, the next step is how to make our speech effective. An effective speaker will bring about a predetermined effect in the mind of the listeners. One of the NLP presuppositions is 'the purpose of communication is the response you get'.

Great people achieve the following through their speech:

• They change mindset of the listeners: for example from 'if I don't smoke, I will feel dull' to 'smoking is a temporary solution; what is even more important is health, and so I will not smoke'
• They change the 'thought process' of the listeners. For example, 'Brand X is the best value for my money' to 'May be Brand 'Y'  will be even better'
• They bring about a major shift  in the  decisions of the listeners
• Their speech brings about a change in the actions of the listeners and thus the result of speaking is accomplished.

Great speakers know how to use their communication process to get the response they want from the listeners. The quality of their speech delivery  far superior.

In the next newsletters we will see how they do it!

N C Sridharan

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'CONNECT' 11 Tips on Public Speaking

“Conversation, like certain portions of the anatomy, always runs more smoothly when lubricated.” 
 Marquis de Sade

Your success as a public speaker will depend on four critical factors: your knowledge on the subject on which you are going to speak; your preparation for your speech; your manner and style of delivery; your understanding of the audience; your fluency in the language in which you are going to deliver your speech.

First and foremost is the depth of your knowledge. You have to make a lot of research on the topic you have chosen to speak on. The more your knowledge, the less will be your stage fright.

Preparation will make you a good presenter. Have you ever seen an athlete who goes to the ground without preparation? Public speaking ability is not an overnight event. You need to practice, practice and practice.

The manner of your delivery is very important. Soft issues such as connecting with your audience and understanding them, the quality of your voice, diction, emphasis, inflection etc are some of the important parameters which will make your delivery a pleasant experience to your audience.

Fluency, of course, is very critical. Factors like vocabulary, use of idioms and phrases, ability to tell a joke or story, using metaphors and similes play a very important role in your speech.

N C Sridharan

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