speaker.
If there are things that need to be tweaked, address those next. You might use intros like “I was wondering what
would happen if you just…” or “I was unclear on this part, what did you mean?”
Then, ask the group “What is one thing that would take (this person’s) speaking to the next level?”
Last, reiterate what went really well, and how that carries the whole speech.
3.
Pray for that person, then repeat 2 and 3 for each individual.
What do you look for to help someone move to the next level?
1.
Nervous energy. If someone is moving so much that you notice it above their speaking, then give them a
tall stool to sit on/lean against. It is amazing how much this will help focus their physical energy and bring all the
power into their words.
2.
Long intros. This can be someone giving the justification for their talk before their talk, or someone
giving 10 minutes of backstory before they start their real story. Usually these people are also frustrated about
their lack of time, so show them that if they start with the main action of their story, and skip the prelude, they
will have time to get where they want to go.
3.
Eliminating extra details. Don’t give more details than are necessary. “We sat down to a big family
dinner” is usually sufficient. We don’t need to know that Aunt Bee messed up the yams and it was Susie’s year to
bring the salad. These are emotional details that are special to the speaker, but are extraneous to the story.
4.
Tone and pace. When we talk publically, we need to pace our words so they build the right emotions
in our audience. If our pace is too quick or too slow we will lose the audience. For instance, in order to evoke
emotion, slow down and give more specific details (not a lot of words, but well focused words).
Once a speaker has developed a good pace, help her also work on using HER VOICE as an instrument. Go soft
to pull people in, and crescendo to exude energy or make a point.
If you’d like more information on presentation coaching, read the books on Kindle on how to give a TED Talk, or
Dianna Booher’s books on communication. These will give you great facts to work with.
Most of all, a presentation coach helps the speakers have fun. Each person has been giving a word to speak.
Many of them are afraid. With your help, they will get up to speak at the event confident that God is using them,
and they are the right person, at the right moment, with the right message.
Kim is an ordained Assemblies of God pastor, a ministry and development coach, and a writer.
She has written two books, How to Gain the New Advantage (a book for pastors and church
leadership); and Walk Away from Fear, a six-week bible study. She is a columnist at www.
ministrytodaymag.com. When she isn’t writing, you will find her behind the wheel of her minivan
carting her busy teens to and fro, making way too many trips to the grocery store, or curled up for
a moment of peace with her husband.
For more information, or to connect with Kim directly, go to her website
www.deepimprints.com, or sign up for Get Unstuck Bootcamp at (www.getunstuckbootcamp.com).
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