Last week, I conducted a public speaking workshop for a marketing company. I gave the organizers three questions to ask the participants ahead of time. They had the choice of answering the following: What is one of your favorite childhood memories? What is your favorite book or movie, and why? What hobby or interest do you have that sparks your creativity? Everyone prepared their answer and took the opportunity to get up in front of their co-workers and talk a little bit about themselves.
This short but powerful exercise worked on different levels. As each person got up to speak, it was a moment of pride for those who were prepared and a learning opportunity for those who thought they could just wing it. The value of preparation was clearly demonstrated, as it's important to organize your thoughts to produce a solid beginning, middle, and end. Otherwise, you're subjecting your audience to a rambling speech that goes nowhere. After I gave a couple of suggestions, it took less than two minutes for the speaker to redo their talk and give a better account of their story, a moment of accomplishment for each of them.
Practicing your presentation in front of others and getting constructive feedback is invaluable. Not only was there a pronounced sense of confidence as each person did their talk a second time, but getting a better understanding of how to be a more effective communicator. The support and guidance provided through constructive feedback were instrumental in their growth as leaders, showing that we all have room for improvement, and that's okay. I explained the reason for having a speaking coach is the same as having a baseball coach help you hit or catch a ball with more accuracy. Everyone does better when given guidance on what to practice.
As each person spoke, their awareness of how our body language speaks became apparent. Moving across the stage helped their speech flow. Eye contact and smiling increased engagement, and gesturing naturally enhanced their message. The biggest change in each speaker happened when they paid attention to their posture. Once they stood tall, with their shoulders back and heads lifted, they reflected a greater sense of self-assurance.
After the workshop, it was wonderful to hear that the attendees enjoyed learning more about their co-workers. Having the chance to talk about something other than work gave them an unexpected insight into each other. This newfound understanding fostered a sense of unity and connection among the team members. Team building happened organically without doing a forced activity. I believe we can minimize misunderstandings in the workplace when we're given the opportunity to learn more about each other.
Speaking off the cuff and being an effective communicator are two different things. Conveying your ideas becomes more memorable and impactful when you take the time to develop and practice your presentation or sales pitch. It also shows respect to your customers that you're prepared and not stumbling or rushing through your talk. Keep your story organized with a beginning, a middle, and an ending that emphasizes your main idea or point. Last but not least, see the value of hiring a coach to help you become a better speaker.
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