The public speaking lesson you never had | DK . | TEDxNelson

Summary

The speaker, a seasoned public speaker and TEDx organizer, shares invaluable insights on effective public speaking. Despite his hearing impairment and speech therapy background, he has honed his skills to inspire action through storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of 'grace,' which involves one's physicality and presence on stage, 'credibility,' which is achieved through compelling storytelling, and 'resonance,' the emotional impact on the audience. The speaker also discusses common public speaking pitfalls, such as the misuse of scripts and bullet points, and offers practical advice like the 'soft rock star pose' to combat stage nerves. He concludes with a 'Jedi mind trick,' encouraging speakers to reframe nervousness as excitement, thereby transforming the physiological response to public speaking.

Takeaways

• 🎤 **Embrace Vulnerability**: Sharing personal stories can create a deep connection with the audience, as demonstrated by the speaker's experience at The Sandbox Summit.
• 🎶 **Transform Weaknesses into Strengths**: The speaker turned a hearing impairment and speech difficulties into a powerful speaking skill through perseverance and practice.
• 🤸 **Master the Art of Listening**: Listening is as important as speaking in public presentations, and it can be transformed into a strength that enhances one's communication.
• 👀 **Eliminate Distractions**: Be aware of physical habits like excessive walking or swiveling, which can distract the audience from the message.
• 🚫 **Avoid Script Dependency**: Relying on scripts can lead to nervousness and a lack of authenticity in delivery; instead, prepare by understanding the feelings and responses you want to convey.
• 📝 **Focus on Storytelling**: Crafting a compelling narrative is more impactful than simply presenting information; use personal experiences and emotions to engage the audience.
• 📉 **Breathe and Relax**: Utilize breathing techniques to calm nerves and harness the excitement of public speaking, which can help in delivering a more confident performance.
• 🤝 **Establish Credibility**: The content of the speech should be well-researched and delivered with confidence to establish the speaker's credibility.
• 🎭 **Use Body Language Effectively**: Non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures play a significant role in conveying emotions and maintaining audience engagement.
• 📈 **Structure Your Speech**: Follow a clear structure like the 'tell them what you're going to tell them' model for a coherent and memorable presentation.
• 🚫 **Limit Bullet Points**: Overuse of bullet points can distract and disengage the audience; instead, integrate complex information naturally within the narrative.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the speaker suggests one might face when asked to speak in front of a hundred strangers?

The main challenge is the fear and discomfort of sharing personal and professional stories with an unfamiliar audience, which might make someone want to avoid such a situation.

What has the speaker been doing for the past 10 years that involves public speaking?

The speaker has been running TEDx Wellington, an event in New Zealand's capital city where people are asked to stand and share their stories.

What is the speaker's background related to speech and hearing?

The speaker was born with a hearing impairment and underwent speech therapy during formative years. They also had multiple surgeries related to their ears, which left them with a hearing deficiency.

What is the 'soft rock star pose' the speaker suggests for public speaking?

The 'soft rock star pose' is a strong and firm standing position that prevents the speaker from engaging in nervous habits like hip-bopping or one-legged walking while speaking.

What are the three key components the speaker believes are necessary to deliver a great talk?

The three key components are Grace (the manner of speaking), Credibility (the content and how it's delivered), and Resonance (the emotional impact on the audience).

Why does the speaker advise against using a script during public speaking?

Using a script can lead to nervousness being more visible, as the paper may shake, and it can also disconnect the speaker from the audience, making the speech feel less natural and engaging.

What is the 'Jedi mind trick' the speaker refers to in relation to public speaking?

The 'Jedi mind trick' is a technique where the speaker reframes their nervousness as excitement, which can help to calm their parasympathetic system and make the experience of public speaking more enjoyable.

What does the speaker mean by 'humanizing information' in the context of storytelling during a presentation?

Humanizing information means incorporating personal stories, experiences, or emotions into the presentation to make it more relatable and engaging for the audience.

Why is it important to avoid bullet points when delivering a complex story?

Bullet points can distract the audience and kill attention as people tend to read them rather than listen to the speaker. It's better to segmentize complex information and present it in a way that complements the spoken narrative.

What is the significance of the speaker's personal story about their hearing impairment in the context of the presentation?

The personal story serves as an example of vulnerability and authenticity, which can resonate with the audience and make the speaker more relatable. It also demonstrates how personal challenges can be turned into strengths.

What is the role of the speaker's physicality in enhancing the resonance of their talk?

The speaker's physicality, including facial expressions and body language, provides emotional cues to the audience, helping them understand how they should feel at different points in the presentation.