Public Speaking Tip
Public Speaking Tip
(OP)
I have been struggling a while with public speaking in my job. I was okay performing for a small group. But as our company grew, so did the size of the audience of potential customers and partners attending presentations. Resulting in ever increasing anxiety levels before and during the gigs. My head would feel flaming hot and this gut level reaction was preventing me from enjoying my work. It halted growth personally as well as in my career. Then I stumbled upon some remarkable insights.
I was convinced that the if-this-then-that structure of the body and mind; like feeling confident would lead me to acting and posing like a confident person. Although this is true, it also works the other way around!!! Apparently the neurological structures in our mind and body have so much feedback loops, that if you act confident (standing straight, brisk walking, relaxed smile) you will feel confident as well! I came to these findings after seeing this TED talk; https://tinyurl.com/nwuuukp and subsequently reading this book: https://tinyurl.com/o7dkl27.
I took this advice to heart and started using confident body language and postures. And it worked! First a little, then more, and right now I enjoy public speaking! I give better presentations and feel way less anxious during and before my talks. I even get something of a positive rush during.
I hope you guys can learn something from this. So what is your experience with public speaking? And how do you cope with the stress involved with the act of presenting?
I was convinced that the if-this-then-that structure of the body and mind; like feeling confident would lead me to acting and posing like a confident person. Although this is true, it also works the other way around!!! Apparently the neurological structures in our mind and body have so much feedback loops, that if you act confident (standing straight, brisk walking, relaxed smile) you will feel confident as well! I came to these findings after seeing this TED talk; https://tinyurl.com/nwuuukp and subsequently reading this book: https://tinyurl.com/o7dkl27.
I took this advice to heart and started using confident body language and postures. And it worked! First a little, then more, and right now I enjoy public speaking! I give better presentations and feel way less anxious during and before my talks. I even get something of a positive rush during.
I hope you guys can learn something from this. So what is your experience with public speaking? And how do you cope with the stress involved with the act of presenting?





RE: Public Speaking Tip
I was lucky that even back when I was in college (the late 60's) in several of the classes that I took we had to give oral presentations, some prepared and some impromptu. I also worked as a DJ at our dorm radio station so that helped as well to get over the idea that people were listening to you. And another thing, I also lector at our church on Sundays where typical attendance can be around 800 or so, and on Holy Days, well over 1000. Again, once you start doing this on a regular basis it really becomes second nature.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Public Speaking Tip
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Public Speaking Tip
I am by no means the best presenter, but I am comfortable with that.
RE: Public Speaking Tip
Consider it a laboratory for practicing and sharpening your speaking skills, both prepared and on the fly, in a non-threatening environment. Nearly all of us have annoying speech habits that distract from the intent of the message. How often have you focused on these distractions rather than on the meat of the someone's message? You'll get help toward making you a better speaker.
Otherwise you're practicing on your most important audience, rather than on fellow speech polishers.
Skip,
Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance!
RE: Public Speaking Tip
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Public Speaking Tip
This really highlighted the useless hand gestures and nervous ticks you did not want to know about.
B.E.
You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.
RE: Public Speaking Tip
I've spoken to many, many groups of a variety of sizes from university classes to TV interviews.....my point is that the more you do this, the easier it becomes. Multiple exposures to such presentations or speeches will make you better at it each time.
It can be gut-wrenching at first, but that eventually goes away.
RE: Public Speaking Tip
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Public Speaking Tip
I sometimes give presentations to colleagues who LOVE to interrupt each other. Asserting my points during these demonstrations is giving me BAD public speaking and discussion habits. These include talking in long sentences that have few natural pauses. Fewer pauses leaves them with fewer opportunities to cut in. But it then makes my point hard to follow. So the audience has a role to play in listening to the message, rather than just waiting for their turn to talk.
STF
RE: Public Speaking Tip
I was pleasantly surprised with how good I appeared. Management asked us to list 3 things we'd like to improve, I came up with:
1. Controlling the meeting/keeping it on track.
2. Diction/Pronunciation.
3. Preparedness/Practice. Previously I’ve always run through presentations a couple of times by myself but I ran out of time for this one to do so properly. Also having notes/comments prepared beyond the slide points.
1. Has since got worse if anything, I've asked my manager about it and he doesn't seem remotely concerned - pretty much that it's a given with our management.
2. I've improved a bit, but may not have been that much of an issue to begin with.
3. I rarely have time to rehearse these days so probably still too many 'ums'.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Public Speaking Tip
Will definitly try taping my speeches.
You all mention a variety of sources to learn from; Toastmasters, academic and company courses.
Totally worth looking in to!
Does anyone recommend any books concerning public speaking? Or is it really just a matter of experience?
RE: Public Speaking Tip
Skip,
Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance!
RE: Public Speaking Tip
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Public Speaking Tip
Skip,
Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance!