Public speaking. Various studies have shown time and again that the majority of people are frightened of undertaking any kind of public speaking. Understandably, people fear the whole process of standing up in front of a group of others and talking. Yet sometimes get those same people in a group of friends, and they'll have no qualms holding court, often being witty, funny and entertaining.
Even those people that don't speak even to a group of friends tell a fantastic story when one-on-one. Put an audience in front of them, or make the 'speech' a formal occasion however and they go to pieces. Public speaking is considered by so many to be an art form in itself. Some of the worlds great orators past and present such as Winston Churchill and Steve Jobs are considered 'other worldly' because of the quality and polish of their public speaking skills. However, it is possible for anyone to become a good public speaker, I should know.
I probably got the kind of introduction to public speaking that many others would've loved. From a very early age my mum (a teacher) was keen on me learning the art of speaking to an audience, purely I should add, as a way of getting me past my innate shyness.
However, it probably wasn't until my Sixth Form and University days that I began to gain confidence in public speaking skills. I'd often volunteer to be the person who did the presentation or make the announcement. Though I did find this was frequently because I just wanted to keep the lesson / event moving and hated the kind of 'no you, no you' conversation that followed a request of 'Can I have a volunteer to go first'.
Public Speaking doesn't have to be a nightmare though. Here's my 3 B's of public speaking:
Brain
Your brain is a wonderful thing. The creativity contained within it is amazing, well it is for nearly all moments apart from the public speaking moment. Even before you've stood up your brain has switched into maximum negative imagination mode and you're running through hundreds of scenarios of what might go wrong. Fly's down, fainting, falling over, accidentally swearing...to be honest its a wonder you're still sat there. Sound familiar? It doesn't need to be like this, it just requires a couple of basic techniques and you can overcome it.
1. Visualise a fabulous reaction at the end of your speech, concentrate on how delightful and fun it will be to share the knowledge you have
2. Be in the moment, you've practised so even if you think you can't remember it you can. Concentrate on what you want to say...it quietens the brain's more 'creative' thoughts.
Get your brain working for you when you're public speaking and you're onto a winner.
Body
Your body and posture can make an instant difference to your speech. Imagine an invisible piece of string running up your spine and out of the top of your head and give it an imaginary tug. You'll feel your head up, shoulders relax and a straight back. Not only does this give you an added air of authority to your audience, it will instantly make you feel confident.
The old adage which is so true with public speaking is Look confident, feel confident and you'll be confident.
Now isn't the time to slouch in your seat or cower away, head up, shoulders back (and relaxed) and you're already winning!
Breathing
The human body cannot survive without oxygen for more than 3 minutes, yet in our haste to rattle through our speech we seem to forget that. Breathing not only keeps you alive (seriously listen to me people), it also helps in two major ways.
Firstly maintaining your breathing at a regular rate will slowly calm you down and counteract the adrenalin that will be shooting through you as you prepare to speak. It helps to give your conscious mind something else to concentrate on too (further distraction from the 'creative' thinking). Secondly, if you've practised your speech correctly you'll have your natural breaks/breathing breaks. Adding these gives your speech a fantastic flow allowing you to emphasise points and gives the whole thing a more natural rhythm. It also gives your audience a chance to take in the speech without worrying for your health as you rattle through without taking a breath.
Three simple points, but three very effective B's to remember the next time you are speaking in public.
Showing posts with label mentor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mentor. Show all posts
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Where have all the mentors gone?
Us entrepreneurs are interesting beasts. Full of our own ideas and thrust to put things into action, but for many of us there is a bit of a hole that needs filling.
As many a Sir David Attenborough programme will tell you, so many other species in this world learn from those that have done it before, nearly always a parent, but occassionally a wily ally or two. How to swim, how to fly, how to dig yourself a den, how to defend it, and how to live to fight another day.
And so it's also the case with entrepreneurs, there are so many places and people to go to for advice and help. So much so that it can rapidly become white noise. Particularly over the past few years as the government and authorities have understood that enterprise is central to the prospects of our great town/region and country. Certainly I myself have benefitted from advice when I was starting up, much of it though, I have to say, pitched at such a low level that I left never to return. Indeed, one advisor sat and listened to me outline my plans, produce marketing plans and other strategies and could do nothing except to ask why I had even asked to see them. Such was level of detail I had already been involved in. But I would wholly defend these types of agencies and the work they do in dispensing advice and helping each and every person looking to start a business.
But what about those of us who are looking for a mentor? Someone who really has been there and done it, someone who you can approach with an idea or a query relating to your business. Someone who sits outside of these local advisors and isn't restrained by targets to increase jobs/businesses in the local area. What about those mentors who really have taken a start up business and taken it national, or understand the 'think big' mentality, but also know the very practical pitfalls. Those that have thought big and made it happen, where are they? I guess I'm talking about someone you can pick the phone up to and ask for advice.
And how does someone like me get to speak to them, meet them and be mentored by them?
I confess I don't know the answer to that. Perhaps it is different for everyone. But I am one of those people who likes to learn from others, and likes to bounce ideas off.
As someone pointed out to me, the ideal mentor is someone that you respect in business and someone you can create a clear structure of support with. I agree with that, There has to be both of those things in order to really benefit both parties. As someone who has done a little mentoring myself I know that I as the mentor feel more fulfilled when I'm learning as well.
After all when the tiger cub is taught how to run, catch and eat it isn't kept close. It is sent out into the big wide world to fend for itself - but always with some valuable lessons and advice.
As many a Sir David Attenborough programme will tell you, so many other species in this world learn from those that have done it before, nearly always a parent, but occassionally a wily ally or two. How to swim, how to fly, how to dig yourself a den, how to defend it, and how to live to fight another day.
And so it's also the case with entrepreneurs, there are so many places and people to go to for advice and help. So much so that it can rapidly become white noise. Particularly over the past few years as the government and authorities have understood that enterprise is central to the prospects of our great town/region and country. Certainly I myself have benefitted from advice when I was starting up, much of it though, I have to say, pitched at such a low level that I left never to return. Indeed, one advisor sat and listened to me outline my plans, produce marketing plans and other strategies and could do nothing except to ask why I had even asked to see them. Such was level of detail I had already been involved in. But I would wholly defend these types of agencies and the work they do in dispensing advice and helping each and every person looking to start a business.
But what about those of us who are looking for a mentor? Someone who really has been there and done it, someone who you can approach with an idea or a query relating to your business. Someone who sits outside of these local advisors and isn't restrained by targets to increase jobs/businesses in the local area. What about those mentors who really have taken a start up business and taken it national, or understand the 'think big' mentality, but also know the very practical pitfalls. Those that have thought big and made it happen, where are they? I guess I'm talking about someone you can pick the phone up to and ask for advice.
And how does someone like me get to speak to them, meet them and be mentored by them?
I confess I don't know the answer to that. Perhaps it is different for everyone. But I am one of those people who likes to learn from others, and likes to bounce ideas off.
As someone pointed out to me, the ideal mentor is someone that you respect in business and someone you can create a clear structure of support with. I agree with that, There has to be both of those things in order to really benefit both parties. As someone who has done a little mentoring myself I know that I as the mentor feel more fulfilled when I'm learning as well.
After all when the tiger cub is taught how to run, catch and eat it isn't kept close. It is sent out into the big wide world to fend for itself - but always with some valuable lessons and advice.
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