Most people are terrified of public speaking, and these fears generally speaking arise from an experience earlier in life. What really good Public Speaking training can give you is an authentic way of understanding the reality of the problem, and an assured way of releasing the stress, which will inevitably show you a way into the zone. The ZONE is a space of freedom and relaxation. Being in the zone produces energy that elevates us to a charged state of being, but one that is full of power, flow and longevity. Being with the zone is not about being flaccid and limp, it is a state of consciousness that world-class athletes are trained or coached to access. This occurs through powerful psycho/physical exercises that stretch the individual to reach their optimum potential. This is why successful Athletes, or Artists or Managers look so effortless when they are in the zone and engaged in formal or public speaking situations.
As an experienced Public Speaking Coach I’ve observed time and again that most speakers don’t prepare for the amount of energy their body produces when the nerves arise before a presentation, or indeed when the audience is approached. This lack of preparation leads to highly anxious states that produce negative activity, and a sense of dismay about the poor performance. Preparation and Being in the Zone are the antidotes to failure.
To enhance your Public Speaking skills I’m going to share with you my premier checklist. This has been deduced from the outstanding successes and sustainable joy, as well as the really unfortunate times when all has not gone well. Public Speaking is an art and simply needs application from a Coach, and then like the LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC BID TEAM, whom I coached you will be applauded for your inspiration, ingenuity and panache.
- Discover the physical shape of the room and where the audience will be seated, and plan how to focus on the people
- Find out where the Speaker’s power spot exists, this is quintessential. The POWER SPOT is the optimum point of advantage from which the Public Speaker shines. It is also where the audience can gain best access to the Public Speaker. Check the height, size and position of the dais, the chairs, the lectern or whatever is being used to support the material of your presentation
- Check where the Speaker’s FOCUS needs to be directed, so that each section of the audience is accessed; maybe even specific individuals. So often Public Speakers do not look at their audience, and if this is so and there no eye contact is made, the audience stops listening no matter how significant the Speaker’s material is. This also includes how well you know your material, and so commit it to heart, so that its easier to speak freely and without notes
- Work out the flow of each sentence, thought or section. Accessing the breath is the only way to effectively entrain the audience into breathing with you and establishing a fantastic level of rapport. The amount of breath needed for each sentence is crucial. Be aware that today we tend to think in short thoughts or sound bytes, and so feel a way of opening out the flow of the sentence construction, this will be easier for your audience’s ear
- Check that the Speaker doesn’t use a great deal of ‘falling inflections’ – dropping energy at the ends of thoughts, or on commas. If they do this, attempt to encourage finishing gently, or by taking the word emphasis up on ‘rising inflections’. Unless that is that the Speaker is ending a sentence, when the speaking energy naturally needs to go down
- Make sure that the lighting and sound amplification is technically precise. When the mike is really effective, hardly any voice needs to be used, and so beware of shouting. Large audiences need a sense of projection from the Public Speaker, but only when its tempered by the use of a magnetic voice.
- Check the length of the delivery, and identify if the quality of ideas within the speech are hectoring, and try to illustrate the anecdotes that don’t ramble. It is important not to ‘talk at’ your audience, rather than speaking to them. Find a way of seducing the audience into listening.
PLEASE CONTACT me via stewart@stewartpearce.com
