Fear, Perception, and Fear, Perception, and ConfidenceConfidence

Advanced SpeechAdvanced Speech

Misconception of Public SpeakersMisconception of Public Speakers

Great speakers are born, not made.Great speakers are born, not made.

Good speaking should be easy right away.Good speaking should be easy right away.

Speaking will always be as difficult as when Speaking will always be as difficult as when you are first learning it.you are first learning it.

Speakers and listeners are different people.Speakers and listeners are different people.

MisconceptionsMisconceptions

Simple formulas exist to become an Simple formulas exist to become an effective public speaker.effective public speaker.

Public speaking is best conceived as a Public speaking is best conceived as a performance, like acting.performance, like acting.

Public speaking is best conceived as a form Public speaking is best conceived as a form of composition, like writing.of composition, like writing.

Types of ApprehensionTypes of Apprehension General vs. SpecificGeneral vs. Specific Facilitative vs. DebilitativeFacilitative vs. Debilitative

Reasons for Debilitative FrightReasons for Debilitative Fright

Negative experiencesNegative experiences Irrational thinking (four fallacies)Irrational thinking (four fallacies)

– Catastrophic failureCatastrophic failure– PerfectionPerfection– ApprovalApproval– OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization

Learning Skills-Four StagesLearning Skills-Four StagesStage 1Stage 1

Unconscious incompetenceUnconscious incompetence– The person is not aware that he/she is making The person is not aware that he/she is making

errors in some areas and may be unaware that errors in some areas and may be unaware that there is a skill to be learnedthere is a skill to be learned

Unconscious incompetenceUnconscious incompetence– The person is not aware that he/she is making The person is not aware that he/she is making

errors in some areas and may be unaware that errors in some areas and may be unaware that there is a skill to be learnedthere is a skill to be learned

Stage 2Stage 2

Conscious incompetenceConscious incompetence– A person has made the realization that she/he A person has made the realization that she/he

is doing something ineptly, and that there is is doing something ineptly, and that there is room for improvement. In many cases, this room for improvement. In many cases, this awareness creates anxiety, which actually awareness creates anxiety, which actually increases incompetence.increases incompetence.

Stage 3Stage 3

Conscious CompetenceConscious Competence– In this stage a person has taken a skill in which In this stage a person has taken a skill in which

she/he feels incompetent, has improved, and she/he feels incompetent, has improved, and then devotes a portion of consciousness to then devotes a portion of consciousness to performing it competentlyperforming it competently

Stage 4Stage 4

Unconscious CompetenceUnconscious Competence– Now a person has integrated the learned skills Now a person has integrated the learned skills

well enough that she/he need not devote well enough that she/he need not devote conscious effort/attention to maintaining conscious effort/attention to maintaining competence.competence.

– The skills comes naturally, effortlesslyThe skills comes naturally, effortlessly

Guidelines for Controlling Apprehension

Choose a topic you like and know a great deal.

Prepare yourself thoroughly. Do not read or memorize your speech. Regard your speech as communication and

not a performance. Imagine or visualize yourself giving a strong

speech.

Guidelines for Controlling Apprehension

Analyze your audience prior to your speech. Never call attention to your nervousness. Do not let your audience upset you. Use visual aids. Check arrangements in advance. Devote extra time for an effective introduction.

Guidelines for Controlling Apprehension

Breathe deeply or do exercises to relieve apprehension.

Act poised. Pause a few moments before starting your

speech. Look directly at your audience as much as

possible. Get audience’s attention during speech.

Guidelines for Controlling Apprehension

Use body language to dissipate nervous energy.

Do not be afraid to make mistakes.

Welcome the experience.

BE POSITIVE! Use CONFIDENCE!