The Art of Public Speaking: Basic Skills for Leaders

Public speaking is often cited as one of the greatest fears among individuals, yet it is also one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s arsenal!

Effective public speaking allows leaders to articulate their vision, inspire action, and influence others. However, mastering the art of public speaking requires more than just polished delivery; it involves careful preparation, authentic connection with the audience, and the ability to convey ideas with clarity and conviction.

One key aspect of successful public speaking is thorough preparation. Leaders should invest time in researching their audience, crafting a compelling message, and rehearsing their delivery to ensure a polished performance. Connecting with the audience on an emotional level is essential for engaging their attention and inspiring action. This can be achieved through storytelling, humor, or sharing personal anecdotes that resonate with the audience’s experiences and values. Moreover, conveying ideas with clarity and conviction is paramount for effective communication. Leaders should use clear and concise language, avoid jargon or technical terms, and maintain confident body language to command attention and convey credibility.

FOUNDATIONS OF VOCAL CONTROL

If you remember an earlier blog where I talked about Leadership Presence consisting of Your Appearance, Your Being and Your Speaking. Well public speaking ability roles up into leadership present in that third aspect. Often, if we are not able to speak well publicly, it can preclude from opportunities, promotions and influence with others. The more senior you are as a leader, the more you have to lean into this skill and it is worth your time to invest in this area! Now there are some basics to understand in terms of your vocal control and they are:

1. Rate of Speech - or the speed at which you speak. We all have a default and that can be really disengaging if you are talking in that same monotone throughout. SO vary your rate of speech; slow down for the important parts and speed up for all other components.
2. Volume - the volume can range from quiet to really loud. Depending on if you are having a 1/1 or giving a talk to 1000 people, you should change your volume. Also if you are online on a zoom, then speak louder as the medium can have people disengage really quickly.
3. Pitch - the melody, or high low of your tone as you speak. You have to learn to vary it, rather than stick in that monotone, use a higher pitch when you are talking about something exciting. Look out for ending sentences in that higher pitch question mark, as that can have you occur as if you don't know what you are talking about.
4. Tonality - the emotion underneath your voice and your message. If you are speaking about something sad, then be sad, if you are speaking about something joyful, then be happy. Use your facial expressions to help you deliver the emotions behind your message.
5. Pauses - Literally a pause. At Netflix we had the 15 seconds of silence distinction. This allows people to process your message and also think through a question, then find the courage to ask it. SO lean into pauses to engage your audience!!

By honing their public speaking skills and embracing opportunities to share their message with impact, leaders can amplify their influence, build credibility, and inspire positive change in their organizations and communities.

STORYTELLING ELEMENTS

Element 1: The Hook

Imagine attending a presentation where the speaker drones on with facts and figures, leaving you disengaged and uninspired. Now, contrast that with a leader who captivates you with a compelling story. Which one are you more likely to remember and be influenced by? Each story has some key elements to it.

• Anecdotal Hook: "When I first started my career, I made a communication blunder that nearly cost us a major project..."
• Question Hook: "Have you ever wondered why some teams thrive while others struggle to communicate?"
• Statistical Hook: "Did you know that 60% of projects fail due to poor communication? Let's explore how we can change that."
• Quotation Hook: "'The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.' – George Bernard Shaw."
• Emotional Hook: "Imagine losing your dream job because of a simple communication error..."
• Descriptive Hook: "In a bustling office, where deadlines loom and stress levels soar, the way we communicate can make or break our success."

Element 2: Characters

Characters are all the people or entities the story is about, such as yourself, team members, users, customers, managers, and other leaders. Make them relatable and focus on highlighting their challenges and motivations.

Element 3: Setting

The context or environment where the story takes place. Provide enough detail to make the setting vivid—describe the view, noises, smells, market landscape, industry, and more. Keep it relevant to your audience.

Element 4: Conflict

The challenge, conflict, or problem that needs resolution, such as internal conflicts, technical difficulties, market gaps, or personal challenges. Make the conflict clear and engaging, and show why solving this problem mattered.

Element 5: Resolution

How the conflict is resolved! Describe how your product solves a customer pain point, the successful resolution of a conflict, or how you got through a personal challenge. Be specific about the solution and highlight the benefits and outcomes.

Element 6: The Takeaway

The lesson or message of the story, such as the value proposition of your product or the moral of a success story. Make the takeaway clear and actionable, and connect it to your audience's needs or goals.

APPLYING STORYTELLING

Storytelling can be applied in various contexts such as writing business cases, crafting the vision of the future, and presenting to stakeholders, investors, clients, and students. Identify your audience first and tailor your stories to their interests and level of understanding. Keep it simple, avoid jargon, and maintain a straightforward narrative. Be authentic and share genuine stories and experiences, and where possible, use visuals, images, charts, and videos.

Creating a good presentation involves both effective speaking behaviors and well-designed PowerPoint slides. Below is a more detailed view of the basics for each aspect.

BEHAVIORS OF THE SPEAKER WHILE PRESENTING

Confidence and Enthusiasm

• Speak with a clear and steady voice, maintain good posture, and avoid fidgeting.
• Show passion for the topic through your tone and facial expressions to engage your audience.

Body Language

• Make regular eye contact with the audience to create a connection and keep their attention.
• Use natural hand gestures to emphasize points and convey enthusiasm.
• Move around the stage or presentation area to maintain audience interest, but avoid pacing or unnecessary movement that can be distracting.

Vocal Delivery

• Speak loudly enough for everyone to hear but not too loud. Ensure your speech is clear and articulate.
• Vary your speaking pace to emphasize key points and keep the audience engaged. Avoid speaking too fast or too slow.
• Use pauses effectively to allow key points to sink in and give yourself a moment to think. Use intonation or focus on emphasizing certain words to pull out key points.
• Use dynamic energy to keep people engaged and the room uplifted. If you are feeling flat, then the session will be flat. Practice being 10 times more excited in front of a mirror reading your speech out loud.

Audience Engagement

• Encourage and answer questions from the audience to make the presentation interactive.
• Read the audience’s reactions and adjust your delivery accordingly. If they seem bored, pick up the pace or add an engaging story.
• Use techniques like polling, asking for a show of hands, or brief discussions to involve the audience.

Preparation and Practice

• Practice your presentation multiple times to become familiar with the content and flow.
• Ensure your presentation fits within the allocated time slot. Practice with a timer to manage this.
• Be well-versed in your topic so you can confidently answer questions and handle unexpected issues.

GOOD PRACTICES FOR POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

Slide Design

• Keep slides simple and uncluttered. Use bullet points rather than large blocks of text.
• Incorporate relevant images, charts, and graphs to illustrate points and make slides visually appealing.
• Use a consistent theme, font, and color scheme throughout the presentation.

Content

• Focus on the key points of your presentation. Each slide should convey one main idea.
• Be concise. Use short phrases or bullet points instead of full sentences.
• Organize your slides logically with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Include an introduction, main content, and a conclusion.

Text and Font

• Use large, readable fonts (at least 24-point size) and avoid overly decorative fonts.
• Ensure there is high contrast between text and background (e.g., dark text on a light background).
• Use bold or different colors to emphasize important points but avoid overuse which can be distracting.

Use of Colors and Graphics

• Use a professional and visually pleasing color scheme. Avoid using too many different colors.
• Use high-quality images and graphics. Ensure they are relevant and add value to the content.
• Use animations sparingly and only when they add to the understanding of the content. Avoid over-the-top transitions.

Data Presentation

• Use charts and graphs to present data clearly and effectively. Label all axes and data points.
• Use infographics to present complex information in a visually appealing and easily understandable format.
• Ensure all data is clear and easy to read. Avoid cluttering slides with too much information.

Technical Aspects

• Ensure your presentation is compatible with the equipment you’ll be using. Test it on the actual device beforehand.
• Have a backup copy of your presentation on a USB drive or cloud storage.
• Check all equipment (projector, microphone, etc.) before the presentation starts to avoid technical difficulties.

CONCLUSION

By combining confident and engaging speaker behaviors with well-designed PowerPoint slides and storytelling, you can create a compelling and effective presentation for public speaking opportunities. Preparation and practice are key to ensuring that your delivery is smooth, your visuals support and enhance your message, and that your message is relevant for the audience and impactful.