DEVELOPMENT
Make a connection
2 The most impressive speakers make you feel like you are the only other person in the room – and it ’ s all about empathy . Forming a personal connection is not just a nice feeling , it draws the audience to you thus creating rapt attention . When people feel a connection , they are more receptive to your point of view .
Practice making eye contact – we speak to eyes and ears , not over the top of people ’ s heads and not to your slides . If you are not looking at another human , you should not be talking !
How to get your message across
A common challenge for EAs faced with public speaking is ensuring that the message lands with the people listening . Take heed of Monica Lunin ’ s five public speaking hacks and turn the challenge into an opportunity
THE EXPERT
Monica Lunin is a communications expert , speaker and writer . She co-owns MOJOLOGIC , a consultancy that specialises in developing communication , influence and leadership .
Whether you are delivering a professional presentation or an inspirational speech , you need your audience to tune in and understand . But there are many factors that might cause your message to bounce off in unintended directions . Your job as speaker is to minimise that diffraction and ensure , as much as possible , that the message you intend is the message that is received .
It can be a tricky , subjective business but these five techniques will help you get your message across in any situation .
Start and finish strong
1 First impressions matter and final impressions linger . People may lose the thread somewhere in the messy middle so make sure you structure a clear introduction and conclusion . Your opening should include a hook to grab the attention and harness the interest of the audience . Plan it first , then land it with confidence . Your closing should deliver satisfaction , fulfilling the promise you set out at the start .
Work with the energy in the room
3 Before you speak , consider what the dominant attitude , tone or energy level is in the room . What happened immediately before you take your turn might that impact the mood , for example .
If people are exhausted , inject new energy with some form of engagement or even movement . If they are distracted and unruly , make your mark to encourage focus . Try having the music gradually increase in volume then suddenly stop – you will find silence descends and you may begin . Remember , there is no sense in trying to force your message on a crowd that is not primed to receive .
Never apologise
4 Too many speakers begin with an apology : “ I will only take a few moments of your time ” or “ I ’ m sorry we are a bit behind schedule ” or “ I know you want to get out of here soon but …” This is a mistake ! It does nothing to improve understanding and it may even trigger pity – the death knell for any speaker .
The audience feeling sorry for you is just another thing getting in the way of them really hearing what you have to say . This is a pervasive presentation pitfall but easy to overcome , simply stop apologising and speak from a position of strength and confidence .
Embellish your message
5 For every point you make , think about what you might add to bring it to life . Could you use a metaphor , anecdote or example to create deeper understanding ? Greta Thunberg brings climate change to life with the metaphor of a house on fire whilst Martin Luther King Jnr wraps his ideas in the metaphor of a dream .
As with these examples , you need to make sure that whatever device you use is relevant and appropriate to your central idea . A simple place to start is with your own personal experience – use a story to make a concept real . S mojologic . com . au
Winter Issue 2022 | Executive PA 53