Public Speaking:
Session 2
Get Better At It
Introductions and Warm-up
AnxietyAccording to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does this seem right? This means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you'd be better off in the casket than giving the eulogy.
- Jerry Seinfeld
Unpacking Anxiety
You’re not aloneCauses of our anxietyWhat to do
You’re Not Alone
“There are two kinds of speakers: those who are nervous and those who are liars.” -Mark Twain
Everyone. Gets. Nervous.
Public speaking anxiety- a matter of:
•Degree•Ability to mask and to channel nervous energy
It’s Not ALL Bad
A little nervousness is good . . .it keeps you focused, makes you more energetic, animated and enthusiastic.
What is the fear?
What is the fear?
Being scrutinized or evaluated by others
Causes of Anxiety
If I Only Had A (helpful) Brain
The (Very) Simplified Science
Hind Brain
Hind Brain
Job: make sure you survive
Being part of a group essential
What might get you kicked out?
What to do
Speak in public . . . and prove that you live through those experiences!
Mid Brain
Mid Brain
Job: regulate your emotions
Retrieval service for memories
What to do: exercise1. Think of that nerve-wracking presentation experience.2. On a scale of 1 to 100, how awful was it?3. Imagine your little finger has just been cut off in an
accident. On a scale of 1 to 100, how awful is that?4. Now . . . compare.
Fore Brain
Fore Brain
Job: conscious thinking
What are the thought patterns that contribute to your nervousness?
What to doIdentify problematic thought patterns and analyze them rationally. Think of/write down a rational response discrediting the thought. Next time, when the thought comes, you may also remember the rational rebuttal.
And meanwhile . . .Practical tips!
Tips:1. Visualize success before the
presentation.
Tips:2. Write out and memorize your
introduction and conclusion
Tips3. Rehearse out loud and simulate
real conditions.
Tips4. Rehearse Q & A
Tips5. Time your presentation!!!!
Tips6. Anticipate problems and prepare
solutions.• Stumbling• Forgetting
Day of Presentation Tips7. Manage your internal dialogue.
Day of Presentation Tips8. Use stress-busting exercises:
breathing, stretching, head rolls, arm lifts . . . movement.
Day of Presentation Tips9. Arrive early to check arrangements.
Day of Presentation Tips10. Connect with your audience
before the presentation begins.
During the Presentation Tips11.Look at one face at a time, and
find a “good face” to return to.
During the Presentation Tips12.“Act as if” you are confident and
calm. Don’t refer to your nervousness or apologize.
Disguising Common Signs of Anxiety
FidgetingHands in steeple position
Hands on lectern as if playing piano
PacingMove somewhere and stop. Move somewhere else and stop.
SweatingKeep your jacket on.
Have an all cotton handkerchief. Keep it folded into a small square.
Dab at the sweat and put handkerchief back in your pocket.
Shaking handsHold a clicker, pen, book, or marker.
Use notecards rather than paper.
Rather than holding props, lay them on a table.
Shaking legsWear baggy pants.
Burn up the excess energy by moving around.
Dry mouthDrink water
Consider putting Vaseline on your teeth and gums
Turning bright redLet it go. Chances are others won’t notice.
If they do, it won’t affect your message.
If you don’t suffer, the audience won’t suffer.
The bottom line of anxietyIt’s all about the message. It’s not about you.
Body languageYour body speaks!
More than half of all communication is nonverbal
Goal: to use our bodies to strengthen our message
We want to project:Earnestness
Enthusiasm
Sincerity
Caring
Confidence & control
Empathy: the ability to share in another’s emotionsAudience tends to mirror speakers – feel what they feel and respond accordingly.
Why physical movement helps
Makes your message more memorable
Adds meaning
Channels nervous tension
Mannerisms to eliminate 1• Rocking• Swaying• Pacing• Gripping/leaning on lectern• Tapping the fingers• Biting/licking lips
Mannerisms to eliminate 2• Jingling pocket change• Frowning• Adjusting hair or clothing• Turning the head/eyes from side to
side like an oscillating fan
The bad news:They’re unconscious.
The good news:We have colleagues! And cameras!
Focus on the messageWhen we: •are interested in our subject•believe what we’re saying•want to share with others then our movements are natural and sincere.
What we’re going for:Natural, spontaneous, conversational
Prepared – thus confident
Speaking postureConfident, alert, in command and self and situation
Good posture helps us breathe properly, gives us a base, decreases tension, minimizes random movements
Speaking posturePractice!
GesturesSpecific bodily movement that reinforces a verbal message or conveys a thought or emotion
Mostly made with hands and arms
Effective gesturesVisible
Purposeful
Mean to the audience what they mean to the speaker
Reflect what’s being said
Reflect speaker’s personality
Types of gesturesDescriptive
Emphatic
Suggestive
Prompting
Gesturing effectively1. Respond naturally to what you think, say, or feel•Don’t suppress your gestures if they tend to be large; work to temper them•Don’t copy another person’s gestures•Be yourself
Gesturing effectively2. Create the conditions, not the gestures. •Our gestures should be motivated by the content of our message.•When we’re focused on our message (not ourselves), we create the conditions that enable us to gesture naturally.
Gesturing effectively3. Suit the action to the word and occasion•Match vigor and frequency of gestures with words•The larger the audience, the broader and slower the gesture•Young audiences like energetic gestures; older audiences, less so
Gesturing effectively4. Make your gestures convincing•Follow through . . .start a gesture, finish a gesture•Distinct and not jerky
Gesturing effectively5. Make your gestures smooth and well-timed•Approach•Stroke•Return
Gesturing effectively6. Make natural, spontaneous gestures a habit•Practice in everyday conversation•Find out what you’re doing now
Body movementChanging your position or location
Benefits and risks
Moderation
Reasons to move purposefullyStimulate audience attentiveness
Support the structure of your message
Dramatize an important point
Get from one place to another
Facial expressionsKey determinant of meaning behind messages
Communicate attitudes and emotions most clearly
What is my face doing?Become aware - colleagues & camera
Remove expressions that don’t belong there – distracting mannerisms and unconscious expressions
Remember to smile!When it’s suitable
Genuinely
Access your enjoyment of giving something valuable to others
Eye contactAfter voice, eyes are most powerful communication tool
Public speaking is amplified conversation
Eye contact = sincerityWant to appear truthful, honest, credible, friendly, skillful? Make eye contact!
Looking at individual faces: conveys that you care about me as an audience member and whether or not I’m getting your message
Eye contact benefits youControl device – pay attention!
Source of strength and encouragement
Dissipates nervousness
Visual feedback
Using Eye Contact EffectivelyKnow your material
•Be prepared•Speak without notes (great!) or with notes. Using notes: brief – words or symbols.
Using Eye Contact EffectivelyEstablish a bond
•Focus on individual listeners•Talk to individuals, not to the group•Hold one person’s gaze 5-10 seconds, long enough to finish a thought•Avoid a set pattern in how your eyes move from person to person
Using Eye Contact EffectivelyMonitor visual feedback
Are audiences members looking at you? If no:•Can they hear you? (speak louder)•Are they bored? (incorporate a visual aid or larger gesture)
Skill development
Pick a different audience and situation realistic for you. Create a 3:00–5:00 minute speech informing or persuading (whichever you didn’t do for this session) this audience on a topic of value to them, to you, or to the library.