Issue Number 112

Speech and silence. We feel safer with a madman who talks than with one who cannot open his mouth.

~ Emil Cioran

Hello,

Last week, I wrote about stories ... especially the stories associated with community response to disasters.

Speaking of stories (sorry ... writing!! of stories) What is your earliest memory? And how could you use it in a speech or presentation to make a point? Mine is of venturing out, in my red jacket, to take morning tea to my Dad who was working on a stable. I haven't used it, yet, but it has potential, don't you think, for a message about giving responsibility, about building links in relationships and in families ... hhmmm lots of possibilities! How could you use yours?

Featured Article

Don’t let your public speaking nerves embarrass you. It’s embarrassing for the nervous speaker and it’s embarrassing for the audience - those awkward, horrible moments when something goes wrong, something embarrassing happens. They are an experience neither the audience nor the speaker wants to have to endure.

Here are four situations where you can smooth out those embarrassing moments … and a powerful strategy to use in the future.

The mental blank

That terrible moment when someone loses complete track of what they are saying - there is a blank, their face drops, and then becomes more and more frantic. This is painful not only for the speaker but for the audience. Develop a strategy now so that if, despite your best preparations, a blank happens, you have something to say. You could remark, “Oops I’ve lost it” and maybe you can add some appropriate humour (“Must have left the speech in front of the mirror!”) and then add something like “Now where was I?” Look at your notes if necessary – “We were talking about …” If it’s really bad, ask the audience. Whatever strategy you use along these lines, you keep the audience, and yourself, moving on, returning to target and none of you is embarrassed. So if you fear the blank moment, be prepared with a strategy that will allow you to deal smoothly with the situation.

The audience is bored

It’s a moment that nervous speakers dread – to realise that most of your audience is bored. They’re glassy eyed, maybe even falling asleep, chatting or texting on their mobile hones. Horrors! Worse still and more embarrassing is the presenter who becomes frantic, attempting to regain attention. Avoid the whole situation if you can by ensuring you have variety wired into your presentation, and have something up your sleeve that you can move into if necessary. Introduce a new visual. Involve the audience. Change your stance, body language or walking pattern. Stop. Stand still. Whatever you use, it will become a smooth, professional piece of your presentation instead of a situation that embarrasses you and your audience.

Dry mouth

Do you have a persistent dry mouth? Then take a glass of water with you. Before the speech, organise a place to put it and then choose a time where you can drink without interrupting the flow of your speech. Incorporate this into the planning of your presentation and your visualisation of your successful presentation. If it does interrupt, then find a way to explain it, incorporate it, or joke about it.

Those other embarrassing physical symptoms

The same applies to anything else you expect might embarrass you or detract from your speech. If you cannot overcome the physical symptoms in the lead up to the speech, then these are the ones you need to develop strategies for. And use this same set of tactics for any other symptoms like blushing or shakes –if they detract from your speech – find a way to

explain it,

incorporate it

or joke about it.

Then you will have defused any embarrassment that you feel or your audience feels.

In all of these situations where you might make mistakes or have a mishap, there is one underlying powerful principle that works to avoid embarrassment:

“It doesn’t matter what happens. What matters is how you deal with what happens.”

It really does not matter! The embarrassment for everyone lies not in the event itself, but in how you respond to it. So instead of being embarrassed, respond, instead, with professionalism and confidence. Be as prepared as you can for whatever may arise, and be prepared to explain, incorporate or joke if something does happen. Then you will have been able to deal with it, confidently and professionally - without embarrassment.

The added bonus? You are reducing your nervousness and increasing your confidence in the process.

©2009 Bronwyn Ritchie
Please feel free to reproduce this article, but please ensure it is accompanied by this resource box.

Bronwyn Ritchie has 30 years’ experience speaking to audiences and training in public speaking – from those too nervous to say their own name in front of an audience to community groups to corporate executives. To receive her fortnightly free tips, articles, quotations and resources, subscribe now, it's free!. Visit http://www.pivotalpublicspeaking.com/ps_ezine.htm

Featured Media

Pimp my PowerPoint - Eight PowerPoint presentation tips!

The lessons you are about to learn can be applied to all of your presentations, from sales, internal or boardroom presentations right through to your keynote speeches. No matter whether you deliver in PowerPoint, Keynote, Google's presentation app, or any other -- the methods revealed in this show will have you delivering killer presentations.

After watching this show, you'll be armed with eight things that you can do right away to dramatically improve your presentations! http://www.consultpivotal.com/e_pimppowerpoint.htm

Public Speaking Tip

This week's tip ... don't treat your audience as illiterate

Please do not treat your audience as illiterate. If your words are on the screen or sheet of paper, then let the audience read for themselves. This will have enormous impact, especially if your audience is used to presenters slavishly following the test on their visuals. You are presenting your message verbally, and visuals are just that – images or groups or words that support your message They are not the message itself. If necessary, you may have to explain this, first, because many audiences have been trained by presenters who cover their inadequacies by using their visuals as the message. And this is why you will make an impact if you can present without using this method. You will be different. You will be seen as so much more confident and competent as a person.

Just for Fun

The Dark Knight Trailer Recut - Toy Story 2

I have seen both of these movies, but I don't remember this sort of detail. If you're a movie buff, what do you think, is this good?

http://www.consultpivotal.com/e_darkknighttoystoryhtm

Closing Thought

Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud.

~ Hermann Hesse

My best wishes,

Bronwyn

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