Public Speaking:

Session 2

Get Better At It

Introductions and Warm-up

AnxietyAccording to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does this seem right? This means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you'd be better off in the casket than giving the eulogy.

- Jerry Seinfeld

Unpacking Anxiety

You’re not aloneCauses of our anxietyWhat to do

You’re Not Alone

“There are two kinds of speakers: those who are nervous and those who are liars.” -Mark Twain

Everyone. Gets. Nervous.

Public speaking anxiety- a matter of:

•Degree•Ability to mask and to channel nervous energy

It’s Not ALL Bad

A little nervousness is good . . .it keeps you focused, makes you more energetic, animated and enthusiastic.

What is the fear?

What is the fear?

Being scrutinized or evaluated by others

Causes of Anxiety

If I Only Had A (helpful) Brain

The (Very) Simplified Science

Hind Brain

Hind Brain

Job: make sure you survive

Being part of a group essential

What might get you kicked out?

What to do

Speak in public . . . and prove that you live through those experiences!

Mid Brain

Mid Brain

Job: regulate your emotions

Retrieval service for memories

What to do: exercise1. Think of that nerve-wracking presentation experience.2. On a scale of 1 to 100, how awful was it?3. Imagine your little finger has just been cut off in an

accident. On a scale of 1 to 100, how awful is that?4. Now . . . compare.

Fore Brain

Fore Brain

Job: conscious thinking

What are the thought patterns that contribute to your nervousness?

What to doIdentify problematic thought patterns and analyze them rationally. Think of/write down a rational response discrediting the thought. Next time, when the thought comes, you may also remember the rational rebuttal.

And meanwhile . . .Practical tips!

Tips:1. Visualize success before the

presentation.

Tips:2. Write out and memorize your

introduction and conclusion

Tips3. Rehearse out loud and simulate

real conditions.

Tips4. Rehearse Q & A

Tips5. Time your presentation!!!!

Tips6. Anticipate problems and prepare

solutions.• Stumbling• Forgetting

Day of Presentation Tips7. Manage your internal dialogue.

Day of Presentation Tips8. Use stress-busting exercises:

breathing, stretching, head rolls, arm lifts . . . movement.

Day of Presentation Tips9. Arrive early to check arrangements.

Day of Presentation Tips10. Connect with your audience

before the presentation begins.

During the Presentation Tips11.Look at one face at a time, and

find a “good face” to return to.

During the Presentation Tips12.“Act as if” you are confident and

calm. Don’t refer to your nervousness or apologize.

Disguising Common Signs of Anxiety

FidgetingHands in steeple position

Hands on lectern as if playing piano

PacingMove somewhere and stop. Move somewhere else and stop.

SweatingKeep your jacket on.

Have an all cotton handkerchief. Keep it folded into a small square.

Dab at the sweat and put handkerchief back in your pocket.

Shaking handsHold a clicker, pen, book, or marker.

Use notecards rather than paper.

Rather than holding props, lay them on a table.

Shaking legsWear baggy pants.

Burn up the excess energy by moving around.

Dry mouthDrink water

Consider putting Vaseline on your teeth and gums

Turning bright redLet it go. Chances are others won’t notice.

If they do, it won’t affect your message.

If you don’t suffer, the audience won’t suffer.

The bottom line of anxietyIt’s all about the message. It’s not about you.

Body languageYour body speaks!

More than half of all communication is nonverbal

Goal: to use our bodies to strengthen our message

We want to project:Earnestness

Enthusiasm

Sincerity

Caring

Confidence & control

Empathy: the ability to share in another’s emotionsAudience tends to mirror speakers – feel what they feel and respond accordingly.

Why physical movement helps

Makes your message more memorable

Adds meaning

Channels nervous tension

Mannerisms to eliminate 1• Rocking• Swaying• Pacing• Gripping/leaning on lectern• Tapping the fingers• Biting/licking lips

Mannerisms to eliminate 2• Jingling pocket change• Frowning• Adjusting hair or clothing• Turning the head/eyes from side to

side like an oscillating fan

The bad news:They’re unconscious.

The good news:We have colleagues! And cameras!

Focus on the messageWhen we: •are interested in our subject•believe what we’re saying•want to share with others then our movements are natural and sincere.

What we’re going for:Natural, spontaneous, conversational

Prepared – thus confident

Speaking postureConfident, alert, in command and self and situation

Good posture helps us breathe properly, gives us a base, decreases tension, minimizes random movements

Speaking posturePractice!

GesturesSpecific bodily movement that reinforces a verbal message or conveys a thought or emotion

Mostly made with hands and arms

Effective gesturesVisible

Purposeful

Mean to the audience what they mean to the speaker

Reflect what’s being said

Reflect speaker’s personality

Types of gesturesDescriptive

Emphatic

Suggestive

Prompting

Gesturing effectively1. Respond naturally to what you think, say, or feel•Don’t suppress your gestures if they tend to be large; work to temper them•Don’t copy another person’s gestures•Be yourself

Gesturing effectively2. Create the conditions, not the gestures. •Our gestures should be motivated by the content of our message.•When we’re focused on our message (not ourselves), we create the conditions that enable us to gesture naturally.

Gesturing effectively3. Suit the action to the word and occasion•Match vigor and frequency of gestures with words•The larger the audience, the broader and slower the gesture•Young audiences like energetic gestures; older audiences, less so

Gesturing effectively4. Make your gestures convincing•Follow through . . .start a gesture, finish a gesture•Distinct and not jerky

Gesturing effectively5. Make your gestures smooth and well-timed•Approach•Stroke•Return

Gesturing effectively6. Make natural, spontaneous gestures a habit•Practice in everyday conversation•Find out what you’re doing now

Body movementChanging your position or location

Benefits and risks

Moderation

Reasons to move purposefullyStimulate audience attentiveness

Support the structure of your message

Dramatize an important point

Get from one place to another

Facial expressionsKey determinant of meaning behind messages

Communicate attitudes and emotions most clearly

What is my face doing?Become aware - colleagues & camera

Remove expressions that don’t belong there – distracting mannerisms and unconscious expressions

Remember to smile!When it’s suitable

Genuinely

Access your enjoyment of giving something valuable to others

Eye contactAfter voice, eyes are most powerful communication tool

Public speaking is amplified conversation

Eye contact = sincerityWant to appear truthful, honest, credible, friendly, skillful? Make eye contact!

Looking at individual faces: conveys that you care about me as an audience member and whether or not I’m getting your message

Eye contact benefits youControl device – pay attention!

Source of strength and encouragement

Dissipates nervousness

Visual feedback

Using Eye Contact EffectivelyKnow your material

•Be prepared•Speak without notes (great!) or with notes. Using notes: brief – words or symbols.

Using Eye Contact EffectivelyEstablish a bond

•Focus on individual listeners•Talk to individuals, not to the group•Hold one person’s gaze 5-10 seconds, long enough to finish a thought•Avoid a set pattern in how your eyes move from person to person

Using Eye Contact EffectivelyMonitor visual feedback

Are audiences members looking at you? If no:•Can they hear you? (speak louder)•Are they bored? (incorporate a visual aid or larger gesture)

Skill development

Pick a different audience and situation realistic for you. Create a 3:00–5:00 minute speech informing or persuading (whichever you didn’t do for this session) this audience on a topic of value to them, to you, or to the library.