The Not-So-Secret Secrets of TED Speakers

Intro

If you still don't know me well - I am much into #publicspeaking .

Communicating well, in general, has been said by Warren Buffet to be the number one skill for every person to develop, the one that compounds and exponentially helps your income to grow.

Speaking in front of others has been said through research to be amongst the top 3 fears people face in their lives, according to some research it feels even stronger than the fear of death.

You get the idea. Anything that very successful people say to be a unique skill, being at the same time something that most fear, will become invaluable.

A lot of demand and short supply!

But no, this is not the reason why I got to read "Ted Talks - The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking", by Chris Anderson.

The book got to me and many of us in our #toastmasters club thanks to Ana Flores , who suggested it as a Christmas gift for our members. Great idea.

What happens then when a Toastmaster gets deeper into the history and practices of TED? That's what you are about to learn!

The "TED Guide"

Let's start the journey with the title. They always mean a lot, and here Chris did something I really appreciated.

See, in my books there is just so many ways to do public speaking. To train and exercise for it. To identify areas of focus.

By naming it the "TED Guide", Chris acknowledges that this is not the definitive way, or the only way, or even the best way. It's their way and he wants to share it with us, so we can decide what to use and what not.

For me as a Toastmaster, it was a great opportunity to take in another perspective. To understand how the different schools think about public speaking.

Here is the thing: TED takes a lot more focus into the content itself and addressing the audience through their emotions, while Toastmasters has way more focus into being able to deliver any speech or any content, therefore with some more attention to different techniques that can be applied.

While with TED you will hear about people exercising their 20 minutes, one speech, for an year or sometimes more, with Toastmasters you will hear about people delivering a different speech every month or even every two weeks.

Another significant difference is the "traditional" and maybe "formal" approach with Toastmasters versus a more "modern" approach from TED. Something I hope Toastmasters to develop further in the coming year...

Talking to an audience WHILE talking to the camera and being recorded is a reality we can't ignore.

So, the tittle is important because it highlights this is one approach, and I can compare with another approach I have been experiencing... but what else is in that book?

Obviously, The Talks

56 different talks, highlighted by the head driving TED forward.

Around 18 hours of TED speeches handpicked for you, that not only bring unique ideas ("worth sharing") but also bring some of the most inspirational examples on how to present them while being yourself.

Different personalities altogether, showing that it is possible to present even if:

???? you are an introvert

???? you want to use a PowerPoint

???? you don't have the most amazing voice

???? you are very young, very old or anything in between

???? the topic is scary and sensitive

???? you prefer either a formal or informal style

???? you have had no experience ever talking to an audience

Some of the talks I had watched before, others I watched as it sparked my curiosity. And others I still didn't watch.

All the same, it's a source of inspiration for you, compiled by a master and easily accessible. What the excuse preventing you from taking your place in the stage?

There is a Framework, too

The book is split into 5 clusters, out of which you will be most interested in the first four: Foundation (a place to start), Talk Tools (the how), Preparation Process (YES! rehearse) and On Stage (the fine tuning).

Then it ends with a reflection.

Without spoiling it, let me share something you can you or that can inspire you, from each cluster:

Foundation

?? TED was saved by a 15-minute speech delivered by Chris. That shows how much speeches can be powerful!

?? It continues to tell stories of extremely shy speakers and how they overcame that to become tremendously famous and successful....

?? ... Getting TED's core: everyone has an idea worth spreading. You do, too!

?? The one line I loved: "Overstuffed equals underexplained"

?? A powerful question: "what are the fifteen words that encapsulate my talk?"

Talk Tools

?? Connection: you know these, my fellow Toastmasters! Eye contact, vulnerability, humor, storytelling. All those things we love in human beings!

?? Using the right approach at the right time in the right way: narration, explanation, persuasion (and priming), revelation

?? One killing metaphor: make the audience your detectives (get them interested and thinking)

Preparation

?? Visuals matter. And if you have any questions, the recommendation is clear: less is more. Those transitions in your ppt? Kill them.

?? "Scripting or not scripting?". A good summary of my conversations with Bruno Bieth. The answer? it depends.

?? Need structure? The four strong starters and seven amazing endings will give you the inspiration you need. Bonus: a few ways NOT to start or end!

?? And yes... just please rehearse.

On Stage

?? Your clothes matter

?? Your mindset matter

?????? The technology you will use matter

?? Both your voice AND your body language matter

???? Make sure you work on everything that matters, and ensure you take into account the format or setting used (virtual? in person?)

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This is a short summary. If you get the book, Chris will drive you through the many stories that illustrate each concept, each best practice.?

And each bad practice.?

Chris closes the book with great reflections, from which I will choose one to share with you as a gift:

"The secret of happiness is: finding something more important than you are, and dedicate your life to it."

If you read often my summaries, you will connect this with the book "Authentic Happiness". That secret works - for life, and for coming up with your idea worth spreading!?

Book Review

I like something simple and straightforward every know and then. That's what I got here!

• Easy of reading: 4 stars. Very accessible. It enhances the value of the reading if you at least check 2-3 minutes of the talks he refers to.?
• Learning something new: 3 stars. I have been into public speaking for long, thus there were not that many eye openers or big surprises. Yet, it helps to go through the examples.
• Interesting and Engaging: 3 stars. I may be to strict here, just because I already knew a lot of the talks. If those are new to you, you may give 5 stars!

What would be one take away you would like to explore from this summary, or even put into action??