How can you adapt to new communication styles when speaking publicly?

A few significant things I feel to follow; 1. Know the audience and Tailor your communication style to resonate with them. 2. Observe other speakers, note their points and use them for references. 3. Be an active listener, Pay attention to how they communicate. 4. Stories, develop the interest of the audience. 5. Stay in the present moment. 6. Positive body language.

Begin with a hook: Engage your audience using a blend of visual aids, clear vocal delivery, and dynamic body language. Provide detailed information: Emphasize the importance of concise language, voice modulation, and a professional appearance. Incorporate mindfulness to stay focused and confident. Summarize the key points: Combine visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements with verbal clarity and mental preparedness for effective communication. End with a call to action: Encourage the audience to embrace these techniques for enhanced communication skills and greater impact in their presentations.

Changing the communication style in the middle of the public speaking career - once after your personal brand establish and you are know by that style - is not a good idea to execute. However one can adapt the style according to the ongoing industry trends, diverse needs to the audience or community.

To me, adapting to new communication styles when speaking publicly involves observing your audience's preferences, adjusting your tone, pace, and content to resonate with them, and practicing different styles to become versatile in delivering your message effectively. It's about being attentive and flexible to cater to diverse audiences.

The best way to adapt your speaking style is to know your audience and understand the venue in which you are speaking. Think of it this way: how would you express yourself at a child's birthday party versus how you express yourself on a night out with old friends versus how you express yourself at a funeral. There may be some commonalities between all of these occasions, even an overlap of the people in attendance, but the occasions are different, the mood is different, the expectations are different. Read the room. Understanding the occasion and the identity of your audience should help inform the tone of your delivery, the vocabulary you choose to employ, the limitations as to appropriate subject matter and mood you wish to convey.

Things don't always go according to plan when giving a talk. How many of these have happened to you? The microphone stops working, someone in the back row faints and gets taken out on a stretcher, a piano player says that he is booked at the same time as you and doesn't want to stop playing, or the door to the venue is locked and no one has a key. I have encountered all of those. That's why improvisation skills are a key part of my speaking style. In some forms of improv comedy, every scene you do is based on a suggestion from the audience, so you have to know how to react and build a story on the fly. Once you can do that, handling distractions and equipment malfunctions is just another day at the office. The show goes on!

Adapting to new communication styles in public speaking is all about flexibility and empathy. Begin by understanding your audience – their preferences, values, and expectations. Tailor your message to resonate with them, using language and examples that connect. Be observant during the speech; adjust your pace and tone based on audience reactions. Remember that it’s not just about what you say, but how you say it that makes a lasting impact.