I N T H E P U B L I C E Y E Effective Communication
18 Thoughts regarding Eloquent Presentations for Public Executives
Attire-
Suited to the occasion. Tasteful. Similar, but a little more dressed up than the
audience. Depending on the place & audience, reflect how they are, be
conservative or cutting edge.
Audience -
Concentrate on what they know; then on what they need to know. Watch
repeating your message as in a stump speech. Find out what you can about that
particular audience, or those of special interest to you within the audience.
Acknowledge their expertise. Empathize. Through research or role-play, put
yourself in their position.
Concise -
Be respectful of people's time & of their ability to remember what you are telling
them given the entirety of their thoughts. You could tell the whole story in 30
seconds. Be sure that every word, every phrase, every thought, every bit of your
speech is relevant. Begin & end with your main point. Jacques d’Amboise, said,
“Make just ONE point.” What is it you want them to get, to take home?
Confidence -
This is read in the look of your body & in the sound of your voice. Stand with
your weight solidly on both feet, hips over feet, ribs flat, head over chest not in
front of it, with the back of your neck long, chin parallel to the floor. Use breath
and physical strength, especially from your center, to speak. Know your material.
Study both sides of the issue. Speculate on what hostile questions may be
asked. Like an athlete, be in the present.
Eyes -
In contact with the audience. Think of the audience as individuals. Look for many
moments at each face, as opposed to allowing your eyes to drift or dart around
quickly. Find the faces that are listening deeply to you. Focus on them for
energy. Eye contact varies culturally. Know about the culture(s) of the people
with whom you speak.
Humor -
Include it if at all possible. Everyone loves wit. Make sure it is funny, organic to
your speech, in good taste & not gratuitous. Have a gentle quip ready if a beeper
or phone is particularly disruptive or if the electric/AV. Fail. Keep the AV. to a
minimum. If you use it, use images instead of massive numbers of words. Tell
stories, everyone loves & remembers stories.
Moments -
There is a perfect moment to begin your speech. Take a few seconds until the
sounds in the room have settled, & you & the audience are ready.
At the end of your speech, after your last word, Hold Still for a moment as you
make that last point. Then look away from the audience to collect your notes, &
they will know clearly that you are finished. Sometimes your last statement is all
that is remembered. Make it powerful.
Motivation -
Are you persuading us with your viewpoint? Calling us to action? Why are you
speaking to us? What needs to be accomplished? What do you want? How will
you know if you are successful?
Nervousness - Squeeze your body tightly together starting with your feet & moving sequentially
up to, & including, your face. Hold for 3 seconds & release. Take 10 slow
breaths. Make the exhale a little longer than the inhale. Jerome Robbins, said
“You are your best after your biggest disasters.”
Pacing -
You know how a song has a tempo? A speech has a tempo. Understanding
that everyone in the audience may be distracted and / or may not have heard you
speak before, calls for a thoughtful, measured communication. Pause..….silent
moments give the audience the ability to chew on what you just said & to clear
their minds for what is next.
Rehearse -
5 times: silently, out loud to yourself, out loud in a large room, to yourself in the
mirror & to a friendly audience of one or more. To a challenging audience.
Speak out loud as you compose your speech. Answer questions.
"Sorry" -
Not necessary. Everyone makes mistakes. Handle your mistakes, with grace,
humor and self-compassion.
Space -
Check it out. Check your voice volume, microphone, AV., stairs, color of the wall
behind you (so you don’t blend in,) lighting. Can you hear through the walls?
Literally turn around to look at your “stage” from the audience’s view. Sit in a few
of their chairs.
"Thank you" -
Not right at the end of your speech. It is for the audience to thank you. Find a
pithy, memorable last sentence. Pause, be still, then move.
Warm Up -
Your voice & your body.
Voice - hum for 5 full minutes on an ahhhh then on an mmmmm. Think of your
words as darts, for additional power, or as paint for a more mesmerizing effect
Body - 32 marching steps in place swinging your arms, 4 jumping jacks, 4 full
body swings, move your face around, make your body small, make it big, release
to feel light, loose-limbed & invigorated. Exercise the morning of or the night
before a speech.
Timing -
Time your speech. Be sure it is the length requested, required or expected. A
little shorter is often appreciated. Humor, stories, researched data all of your
words require good timing. This can be learned, & it can be felt. In rehearsal
experiment with your timing: try a pause in a different place or a slower reading
of a particular word or phrase. Vary the speed, volume, how much you gesture.
Unique -
Allow your presentation to be your own. Make sure that you have found the best
way to express your message and that the daring and originality is worthwhile.
You -
Be genuine. Speak from your heart & from your soul & from your guts.
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston Churchill
“Without passion all the skill in the world won’t lift you
above craft. Without skill, all the passion in the world will
leave you eager, but floundering.”
Twyla Tharp
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve
lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to
take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over
and over and over again in my life. And that is why I
succeed.”
Michael Jordan
Joy Javits, President * www.inthepubliceye.net