Project Management Articles
from the
|
The
One Nugget Report from The Project Management Advisor™
Issue 2009-32 - Six Takeaways to be a Better Public
Speaker
Recently I was asked by a journalist how I practiced public speaking. At this point in my life, getting up in front of an audience is pretty much second nature. However, it wasn't always so. I had to work hard at the skill and had to fail A LOT before I found my schtick and was able to get pretty OK at it.
Here are the highlights from the interview along with six take-aways to help you be a better public speaker.
How did you work on your public speaking skills?
I took every
opportunity I could to speak at as many venues as possible. I
also observed other speakers that did things I admired and, more
importantly, did things I thought were cheesy. As example,
starting off a presentation with “Good Morning”, then when the
audience doesn’t respond saying “You can do better than that…Good
MORRRR-NINGGGGG!”. The audience then feigns laughter and
parrots “Good MORRRR-NINGGGGG!”
with an eye-roll.
Did you speak at local rotaries? Libraries? Conferences?
Yes. I
spoke in front of as many audiences with varying sizes as possible.
When first starting out don’t refuse a gig and don’t worry about
getting paid. It’s great on-the-job training.
What did you learn and what can you teach the rest of us?
There are six take-aways that I think would best help someone wanting to improve his or her public speaking skills:
1)
Videotape yourself.
Watch how you come across and decide if you are being compelling and
entertaining or just coming off like a doofus.
2)
Find a coach who is an
accomplished speaker that you admire to give you the honest scoop on
your speaking abilities. It’s not about hearing what you want
to hear; it’s about hearing how you can improve and digesting the
tough messages.
3)
Establish credibility
before using humor. With a new audience they don’t know
whether or not you’re worth listening to. If you lead with
humor before you’ve established credibility you’re going to inject
doubt in your audience’s mind. Start off your presentation
with an attention-grabbing story which demonstrates your being an
authority on the subject matter. Then use humor later on after
the audience has decided you’re worth listening to.
4)
Use slides as a crutch,
don’t read them to your audience.
5)
Pick out several audience members who are
giving you “cues” on your effectiveness; then periodically look at
those audience members throughout your presentation to gauge
interest, boredom, or some other feedback mechanism.
6)
Have fun. The
audience wants you to do well and wants to know that the next hour
is going to be entertaining and insightful. Let the audience
root for you and feed off of it.
Like my site? Email your colleagues about it.
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The Project Management Advisor™ Report Archive
2010-26 - Developing High Potential (HIPO) Leaders
2010-25 - Nailing That Interview
2010-24 - Regaining Trust
2010-23 - Relax, the Audience is Rooting for You
2010-22 - Project Management Screw-Up 1 - We weren’t addressing the right problem
2010-21 - More Cloud Computing Articles updates
2010-20 - How Could This Happen? Avoid Project Screw-Ups for You and Your Business Partner
2010-19 - Drive a Tight Agenda, Don't Let it Drive You
2010-18 - Watch the Pontificator!
2010-17 - Managing Cross-Organizational Teams
2010-16 - Team Building: Some Assembly Required
2010-15 - Am I Meant to Mentor?
2010-14 - Managing Project Risks and Issues
2010-13 - Project Management Screw-Up 7 - We Didn't Involve The Right People
2010-12 - Practical Pillars of Success
2010-11 - The "Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds Status Report"
2010-10 - More Cloud Computing Articles
2010-09 - They Actually Pay Me To Do This?
2010-08 - Leading that Virtual Team
2010-07 - Squashing the Procrastination Demon
2010-06 - Cloud Computing Articles
2010-05 - Asking for Help
2010-04 - Bedside Manner and the PM
2010-03 - Nervous Nellie PM's
2010-02 - "Morning After" Decision Making
2010-01 - Not all Thought Leaders Are Great People Leaders
2009-39 - Empowerment - Problem Ownership = Errand Runner
2009-38 - I'll Be Done Friday, Honest! Six Techniques to Ensure Solid Project Management Execution
2009-37 - How Could This Happen? Avoid Project Screw-Ups for You and Your Business Partner.
2009-36 - One Less Meeting Gets You Home In Time For Dinner
2009-35 - When Are You Coming Home? Five Practical Tips To Realizing Work/Life Balance
2009-34 - In Search of the Good Enough Leader
2009-33 - Getting Invited Back for a Second Interview
2009-32 - Six Takeaways to be a Better Public Speaker
2009-31 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Slide Deck
2009-30 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part 1
2009-29 - Be Accessible, Not Open Door
2009-28 - The Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership
2009-27 - Six-Word Lessons for Project Managers
2009-26 - Attributes of an Effective Project Manager
2009-25 - Twitter and Flight of the Buffalo
2009-24 - Can You Make a 2AM Meeting?
2009-23 - Hot Air Balloon or Guided Missile?
2009-22 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part III
2009-21 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part II
2009-20 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part 1
2009-19 - How to Succeed Under an Insecure Leader
2009-18 - Ten Differences Between an Insecure Leader and a Secure Leader
2009-17 - Building a Purpose-Driven Resume
2009-16 - Be a PM Closer
2009-15 - Challenge Minus Inspiration Equals Mediocrity
2009-14 - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
2009-13 - Why Don't They Follow Me? 12 Easy Lessons to Boost Your Leadership Skills
2009-12 - Mastering Credibility Part III: It's How You Deliver Results
2009-11 - Mastering Credibility Part II: It's The Relationships You Build
2009-10 - Mastering Credibility Part I: It's What You Know
2009-09 - Babbling is for Babies, Not Interviews
2009-08 - Getting Job Alerts at The Project Management Jobs Career Center
2009-07 - The Project Management Jobs Career Center is now open!
2009-06 - You Can't Over-Prepare For An Interview
2009-05 - Critical Thinking Drills Influence Hiring Decisions
2009-04 - Impress First, Then Talk Compensation
2009-03 - Project-Management-Jobs.info launched!
2009-02 - Great Quotes On Leadership
2009-01 - Don't Embellish Your Credentials
December 1 2008 - The Truth About Getting Your Point Across...And Nothing But The Truth
November 15 2008 - Our Fallibility as Leaders...Defining a Meaningful Workplan in MS Project...ZAPP! The Lightning of Empowerment
November 1 2008 - Getting Invited Back for a Second Interview...A Complimentary Status Report Template...The Wal-Mart Effect
October 15 2008 - Managing Outsourced Relationships...Making Sense of Calendars in Microsoft Project...Surviving an Aneurysm
October 1 2008 - Diffusing Conflict Between Co-Workers...The Perfect Brainstorm: Getting The Most Out Of Brainstorming Sessions ...Go Green, Live Rich
September 15 2008 - Using Project Guides to Define Your Project in MS Project...The Top Ten Attributes of a Great Project Sponsor...Hail to the Chiefs: United States President Mischief, Morals, and Malarkey from George W. to George W.
September 1 2008 - Replacing a Project Manager Mid-Flight...30 Tips to a More Fulfilling Dinnertime with Your Family ...Healthy Living - You The Owners Manual - An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger
August 15 2008 - Putting Some Balance in the Work Life Balance Equation...How An Autistic Child Changed A Career for the Better...The Kindergarten Adventures of Amazing Grace: What in the Word is Autism?
April 2008 - Complimentary Self-Study Seminars, Webcasts, and Resources...Setting Yourself Apart From Your Colleagues...The Good and The Bad of Virtual Meetings...Smarts Minus Direction Equals Absent-Minded Professor...Small Business Made Simple Co-Author Spotlight: Bill Stride...Ebay and the Project Manager...Be a Better People Leader
March 2008 - Motivating Employees...Practical Interview Etiquette... Ten Tips to Boost Your Facilitation Skills... Freud and The Small Business Owner... Of Mice and Motivation... Be a Better Process Leader
February 2008 - The Shift From a Process to a Project Focus...Politically Aware Doesn't Mean Politically Motivated...Getting Serious About Balancing Work and Family...Eight Crucial Questions You Need to Answer to Successfully Exit a Small Business...Five Simple Strategies To Unify Your Project Teams...Be a Better Planner
