How to be a better speaker

As a manager, or in any type of leadership position, one has to speak in public. Whether in front of a large crowd or a small business luncheon, for the situation to run smoothly you have to be prepared.
In Bill Lampton’s article, “7 Ways to Become a Grade-A Speaker,” Lampton offers some advice to help you:

•Adopt an upbeat attitude. Assume you have something worth saying and that you will present it well. Anticipate that the speech or presentation is going to go smoothly.

•Focus on the audience. If you focus on them, you won’t be concerned with yourself. If you think about them and what they need, you won’t be stressing about your outfit or if you’re holding their attention.

•Be animated. Don’t read or recite your message, tell it as energetically as you would describe a fun weekend. Move away from the podium and vary your voice.

•Be attentive. Remain on the lookout for audience feedback. If you detect confusion, restate your point. If participants start checking their watches, change your pace or find a way to recapture their attention.

•Use anecdotes. People remember and learn from stories, not statistics. Paint word pictures, giving a “you are there” feeling or use suspense.

•Sharpen your appearance. Although casual dress has gained some acceptance, you should dress a notch or two above the audience’s norm.

•Be atypical. Do something different from other speakers, audiences withdraw from the “same old same old.”

Review these guidelines before you give your next speech and use them to help you give an effective performance.