The Fundamental Lessons to Avoid the Terror of Public Speaking
One of the most important part of the CEOs job is the ability to communicate, and that means public speaking. But it’s not that easy and if you don’t get it right, tension can wonder and your authority can be questioned.
Some of the worlds most successful CEOs and world experts shared their views on what it takes to lead a multi billion- dollar company. The CEOs and experts we we spoke to were:
- Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group
- Jeannette Nelson, Head of Voice at the National Theatre
- Andy Penn, Telstra
You can watch the BBC CEO Guru Episode on Public Speaking at the end of this post.
So what are some of the most important and fundamental tips for CEOs and leaders when it comes to public speaking?
1/ Recognise that communication is the most important skill for a CEO and leader
Improving your skills in becoming a more confident and authentic communicator is critical in an age where building trust has never been more important.
"Communication is probably the most important skill of the chief executive in the modern world," Andy Penn, Telstra
2/ Its not just what you say, it’s your voice and presence
Learn ways to connect with your body by breathing and relaxing and pay close attention to the way you stand.
“If we are going to talk about voice then we need to talk about the body because voice is a physical thing. Voice is incredibly personal as it carries your history, and once you start honing in on that people can get defensive and self conscious” Jeannette Nelson, head of voice at the National Theatre
3/ Feel like you are part of the people you are speaking to
Connect to the people in the room through focusing on your breathing and your presence.
“Breathing into the space of the hall – take your breath from the furthest reaches and you send your breath to it. It tells you how much you need to breath, It brings the room to you rather that you having to push” - Jeannette Nelson, head of voice at the National Theatre
4/ Always be authentic
Senior leaders have become very scripted the last few years and have lost their authenticity and what people see as real communication, so it’s important that your words, your message and your body are all in sync together. Then it’s important to also just relax and be yourself.
“The advice I give my children if they are doing public speaking is to just think you are in a living room having a chat, just be yourself. If you are being interviewed and they ask you a question and you don’t know the answer, just tell them you don’t know what they are talking about.People want real people not smooth talkers” - Richard Branson, Virgin Group
5/ Be a great story teller
The best CEO communicators are those that tell a great story
"Storytellers bring a situation to life that have meaning, inspiration and powerful lessons for the listener" - Steve Tappin
6/ Record yourself and get feedback
Even the best most talented public speakers practice practice practice and feedback feedback feedback. Not many people like listening to their voices but the best thing you can do is to record yourself and give yourself feedback and get feedback from others.
You can watch our BBC CEO Guru episode on the terror of public speaking
I'm interested to know which CEOs you think are the best public speakers, and what else do you think is needed to be an inspiring public speaker.
LIKE & SHARE:
Give the article a like if you like these lessons or comments from CEOs
COMMENT:
What are the other skills needed to become an inspiring communicator.
Do follow me here on LinkedIn as I bring to life what’s happening in the world of CEOs on a weekly basis, along with regular leadership, social media, career, hiring and productivity insights.
----------------------------------------
By Steve Tappin
Chief Executive, Xinfu, Host BBC CEO Guru
Steve is a personal confidant to many of the world’s top CEOs. He is the host of the award winning BBC ‘CEO Guru’, which features in-depth, on-the-record interviews with the CEOs of the biggest and fastest-growing companies. Steve is the author of ‘The Secrets Of CEOs’, which interviews 200 CEOs on business life and leadership.
C-Suite Executive Communications Advisor | Help Senior Leaders Master the Art of Human-Centered Communication
8 年Two of my favorite CEO presenters are Peter Diamandis for his unwavering optimism and Marc Benioff for the passion he exudes on stage.
Mrs. Kelly's Journey Home, a personal journey with universal appeal. Heart and humor in a riveting one-woman show. Fundraising performances booking now. | Keynote speaker| Playwright| International Performances
9 年Well said. .
Executive Communication Coach - helping high-performing professionals to be more influential communicators
9 年Great article. I would add to the list the importance of not reading off of notes. This is critical to being 'part of the room' you are speaking to and to being authentic. While this may seem obvious, though you'd be surprised how many exec's do this instead of proper planning and memorization.
President @ Fripp Virtual Training | Presentation skills expert
9 年This is a great article with good advice. I especially like what Jeannette Nelson, head of voice at the National Theatre said "Feel like you are part of the people you are speaking to." I will take some issue with Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group. He says, "The advice I give my children if they are doing public speaking is to just think you are in a living room having a chat, just be yourself.” When I heard him speak for one of my clients in Las Vegas he was sitting on a coach being interviewed by the CEO. We were all excited to hear him. His is larger than life. I tell my executive speech coaching clients their audiences want to see “the person behind the position.” Our expectations were high. As a speech coach and seasoned professional speaker, I do look at presentations closer than most. Sir Richard was the worst speaker I have ever heard on a stage. 100’s of “non” words, no stories, and few specifics. He said,”People want real people not smooth talkers.” What an audience expects from a well-known personalities and leaders is someone who is themselves ON PURPOSE. We want to see someone we can have confidence in. Who respects us enough to think through what they will say. And yes, earn the $175,000 speaking fee.
Enterprise Account Executive
9 年Public Speaking is not scary. Try being chased by a herd of Woolly Mammoths!!!