Expertise On Demand
Articles by Deborah Van Huis


Public Speaking — Try It, You'll Like It!

One of the many things that leaders and managers are called upon to do is speak publicly. For many people, speaking in front of others is the worst part of their job and something they try to avoid at all costs. The settings in which you may be asked to speak publicly vary from classrooms, meetings, professional conferences and public hearings. The principles of great public speaking are the same regardless of the setting.

Being able to speak effectively in public is a key skill that all successful leaders and managers must master. Good material delivered poorly will have a negative impact on the message and the audience.

To be an effective public speaker it is important to:
  1. Have a clear and concise message. Think and re-think what your message is. Focus your presentation on no more than five key points.
  2. Start with an outline of your presentation. Make a list of everything that comes to mind when you think of the topic. Add information discovered during your research and then organize your points, data and other information in a logical format.
  3. Know your material. Once you are clear about your message, write down your speech. Then rewrite it. Then refine it and edit it. It is especially important to know your material and facts when speaking at a hearing or in front of an elected board or commission without a script.
  4. Check your facts. It can be very embarrassing if you are caught using out dated or incorrect information. Don't forget to give credit to the sources you to which you refer.
  5. Know your audience. Presentations should be tailored to match your audience's shared knowledge. Speaking to shareholders requires a different tact than speaking with your departmental employees.
  6. Practice your speech or presentation. If you are using slides or PowerPoint, practice your speech while advancing the slides. Practice your speech in front of friends or family who are not familiar with the topic. They may be able to point out sections of your presentation that are not clear or easy to understand.
  7. Practice your speech some more. Memorize it if possible.
  8. Speak as you would in front of a group of peers or friends when making a speech. Don't try to impress people with a vast vocabulary. Use words that are easily understood by your audience. If you have memorized your speech make sure that your delivery isn't mechanical. Be natural.
  9. Start your speech with a strong opening. Grab your audience's attention early on. Channel your nervous energy into enthusiasm for your topic and your audience will become excited about the topic and you.
  10. Be confident. Smile and make look around the audience until you find one or more friendly faces that you can make eye contact with and "talk to." Stand in a comfortable position but don't slouch and don't look at the ceiling or ground. Before the speech, visualize being successful.
  11. Don't turn your back to your audience. While many experts say that you should stay in the center front of the room, I like to move around and walk up and down the aisles, especially in classroom settings, because this helps keep class participants engaged and helps them stay awake.
  12. End your speech by reviewing the key points of your presentation and with a call to action.
  13. Allow time for questions and answers. Think of likely questions ahead of time and prepare answers.
  14. Keep your presentation within the time allotted or even a few minutes shorter.
Giving a well-received speech is exhilarating. Once you have done it a couple of times it even becomes enjoyable.