Here's how you can enhance your public speaking repertoire with improvisation techniques.

You can use improvisation all the way from scripting to delivery of your talk: 1. When you're scripting your talk or presentation, take bullet points and improvise how to connect them. 2. When you're rehearsing, improvise the parts you forget. That way when you get to the stage: 3. You'll be able to improvise instead of recalling a memorized script.

Unexpected questions, technical difficulties, a tired or enthusiastic audience etc Anything can happen and that is what is exciting and challenging about public speaking. In my experience practicing (until you can visualize the story and it in your head) will give you the ability to connect with audience and be ready for … anything really.

Here's a contradiction in terms: Come prepared for improvisation!!! When you are a pro, it's part of the challenge to imagine (aka anticipate) all kinds of possible scenarios and come up with responses that best reflect your professional etiquette and professional image aspirations. It's really as simple (and as challenging) as that!

If you are prepared and confident in your abilities to adapt when and if you need to, this will resonate with the audience in a big way. Your delivery is also key

Improvisation and public speaking require being an active listener. You do not listen just to hear. This implies that you concentrate on the message the speaker is delivering. Such a skill allows you to give considered answers and take part in fruitful discussions. During a Q&A session or when taking part in a panel discussion, listening actively makes it easier for you to provide logical responses while still remaining connected to your audience.

I always keep in mind my audience will not remember what I said but will remember how I made them feel. I make them feel valued, included, listened to-and cherished. I read the room and always adjust my interactions with them depending one the mood of the room (the mood depends on time of day, events in the world, and weather!)

To keep it interesting and exciting, having the ability to engage your audience when needed, not only proves you are skilled in doing so, but it adds value to your audience and to your presentation

I often think that if you want to understand how "thinking on your feet" or improvisation can enhance public speaking skills, we need to look to life examples such as politics or stand-up comedy. In both these professions the ability to confidently respond and improvise quickly to external factors - such as questions from the audience is vital. Taking a leaf from comedy and how they handle heckling is a great learning experience. Not all will be appropriate to speeches but the core elements of: listen, pause, think, respond still stand. Finally - don't be afraid to take questions back to the audience - improv isn't just one way in speaking.

Life is about stories. What better way to improvise in a public speaking engagement than by the use of stories? Key here though is to ensure the stories respond well to the improv challenge - be that from the audience or content challenge. The key is to ensure your repertoire of stories are: 1) Relevant to the topic 2) Engaging to the audience group 3) Relatable - Will your audience understand the perspective? 4) Emotive - drawing out emotion is such a powerful addition to any narrative 5) Authentic - lived experiences deliver far beyond theory or conjecture. The beauty of using stories is you can keep a "bank" in your head to help in situations where improvisation is required.

Take an improv class! Once you get comfortable responding in the moment to unexpected and sometime bizarre topics, it will feel very easy to speak in any situation. Improv teaches you to trust yourself and not edit your thoughts. Your authenticity will come out when you don't edit your creative thoughts - and yes you do have them!

People think it's a choice between memorize or improvise, but really the truth is that it's a bit of both. You want to know where you're going, but also be able to adapt to circumstances in real time.