BE BETTER: PUBLIC SPEAKING

BE BETTER
Jc HGF Vividh Pawaskar

PUBLIC SPEAKING
“The human brain is a wonderful organ. It starts functioning the moment you are born and does not stop until the first time you get up to make a speech.” This is true of most of us. Even the seasoned orators experience anxiety as they walk up to the podium. Is it possible to overcome stage fear and exude confidence whilst delivering a speech?
Yes, whatever the human mind can conceive, it can achieve. Let us see how we can control the butterflies in our stomach and the trembling knees that we are trying to hide behind the podium.
First and foremost, know that you need not be witty, brilliant and perfect to be a successful speaker. The audience doesn’t expect perfection from you. It just wants to take back something of value. And this is precisely the reason why your success will be their priority. And when the audience wants you to succeed, why are you afraid?
Secondly, your speech need not be a can of sardines. It need not be stuffed with too many points. The audience does not wish to be credited with an elephant’s memory. Give them a point or two to remember and they will gladly do so.
KISS will be welcomed by each and every member of the audience. Keep It Short & Simple is a technique to ensure that your audience does not go to sleep by being tired of your long and boring speech. [The seasoned audience can very well sleep with their eyes open, so don’t feel that long speeches can retain audience interest].
H2Wow is a formula that tells us that Humor and Humility will get you a Wow from audience. [I am not exactly telling you to crack a joke at a condolence meeting but then do not give the feeling that you are speaking at a condolence meeting when you are not]. All of us have our own share of worries and a hearty laugh can do us a lot of good, apart from the food for thought that you would be giving. Humility refers to showing your human side that is prone to errors. This makes you ‘one of us’ in the minds of the audience. And if I can forgive myself for being human, I will also have to forgive you for the same reason.
Technology is a welcome friend and an unforgiving enemy. Do not depend too much on it. Also don’t assume that the microphone is on and go on to finish your speech. It may be turned off and the audience may think that you are playing Dumb Charades and, therefore, will allow themselves to be entertained by your silent performance. A slight tap on the stand of the microphone should give you indication of the status as to whether the microphone is on or off.
The Lighthouse Effect refers to maintaining an eye contact with the audience. This should not be more than 2 to 3 seconds or your ship will anchor in the heart of the beautiful damsel in front of you [and her boyfriend may not so forgiving].
Remember, your body also speaks. Let it not speak loudly about your nervousness. Use gestures to supplement what you say. Using gestures sparingly will ensure that people do not mistake you for a Bhartnatyam dancer.
The secret of a good speech is that it should be like a mini-skirt: short enough to be interesting and long enough to cover everything.
Well, go ahead and speak [at least in front of a mirror, for a start].
-x-

BODY LANGUAGE OF A SPEAKER [PEOPLE]
POSTURES & GESTURES: How do you use hand gestures? Sitting position? Stance?
EYE CONTACT: How’s your ‘Lighthouse’?
ORIENTATION: How do you position yourself in class?
PROXIMITY: How close do you sit/stand to participants?
LOOKS/APPEARANCE: Are looks/appearance/dress important?
EXPRESSIONS OF EMOTION: Are you using facial expressions to express
emotion?

VOICE SKILLS OF A SPEAKER [PAMPERS]
PROJECTION: Speak louder than usual; throw your voice to back of room
ARTICULATION: Don’t swallow words; Beware of verbal ‘tics’
MODULATION: Vary tone and pitch; be dramatic, confidential and/or triumphant
PRONUNCIATION: Watch tonic accents; check difficult words; beware of malapropisms
ENUNCIATION: Over emphasize; Accentuate syllables
REPITITION: Repeat key phrases with different vocal emphasis
SPEED: Use delivery speed to manipulate the audience; fast delivery to excite and stimulate; slow delivery to emphasize, awe, dramatize and control

A U D I E N C E
ANALYSIS - Who are they? How many will be there?
UNDERSTANDING - What is their knowledge of the subject?
DEMOGRAPHICS - What is their age, gender, educational background?
INTEREST - Why are they there? Who asked them to be there?
ENVIRONMENT - Where will I stand? Can they all see & hear me?
NEEDS - What are their needs? What are your needs as the speaker?
CUSTOMIZED - What specific needs do you need to address?
EXPECTATIONS - What do they expect to learn or hear from you?

FORMULAE FOR SPEECHES
WELCOME ADDRESS
FORMULA: " MR. G.O.O.S.E."
MR.= Mr. Chairman, Chief Guest Mr..................................., Guest of Honor Mr......................................, other Dignitaries, Guests & invitees, Press & TV, Delegates/Participants, Ladies & Gentlemen.
G = General Welcome. Welcome to the ................................. (Exact name of the program - organized by/conducted by/hosted by............................................................(Name of the organization).
O = Organization. Say two sentences about the organization
O = Occasion. Few sentences about importance of the program
S = SPECIAL WELCOMES. Welcome one by one, in one or two sentences in the same order as above ( i.e., Chief Guest, Guest of Honor, Invitees, Press, People)
E = End. Once again welcome everybody and hope that......... They will enjoy, it would be very useful, a memorable experience, a turning point, a milestone, create history, open a great future, reach new heights . . . .
REMEMBER:
Welcome is always done standing.

INTRODUCTION SPEECH
PURPOSE is to highlight the presence of, build image of the person, so both the Guest and the audience are in best mood.
Get the BIO-DATA.
GO BEYOND & BEHIND BIO-DATA.
Get more details. If possible talk to the person. Find out the real human being behind the picture. Unknown facts, personal interests, achievement in other field, his philosophy , faith, travel abroad, interest in Charity/Service etc.
An ever effective sequence for introduction is the formula...
FORMULA: T.O.P.S.
TOPIC: of this meeting [ 1-2 sentences ]
OCCASION: of this meeting [1-2 sentences]
PERSON: BIO-DATA
SALUTE: Closing sentence.
BEGIN by briefly relating presence of this Man in this meeting.
BUILD UP the person by telling the Bio Data in an orderly manner.
END by high lighting & announcing the name of V.I.P. i.e.
" May we present to you , The Chairman of BPL Group of Companies, Managing Trusty of CARE foundation, and a Renowned Author , Mr. Vividh Pawaskar !! "
REMEMBER :
Do not disclose the name, till the very end.
Introduction should be not more than 2-3 minutes.
Don't praise falsely, it is insulting.
Don't praise too much, it is disgusting.
Don't repeat adjectives, don't use clichés, it is boring (i.e. He is great this, great that, One and only. None other than. Etc.)
Intro. is not reading Bio-Data, it is image building.
After finishing the intro just say small "THANQ".

VOTE OF THANKS
FORMULA : THREE C
First C = CONCLUDE
One sentence to indicate that the program has completed, and how interesting/meaningful/memorable it has been (Avoid using 'grand success' or such boring clichés).
Second C = C H A P
Special thanks in this sequence:-
C > CHIEF GUEST, Guest of honor, other Guests,
H > HELPERS like Major Donors, Sponsors, etc.
A > ASSISTANCE. People who assisted you in other small ways, free hall, advertisements, free publicity, lunch, tea, vehicles, music volunteers, Press etc.
P > PARTICIPANTS
Third C = CU (see you)
Once again on behalf of your organization thank all and hope to see them again in your future program / act on the resolutions of this meeting etc.
REMEMBER -
We don't thank ourselves: so no thanks to President, Project Director, Host Chapter, Manager, Our Team Workers etc.