Practicing a speech is intimidating. Not only do you have to know your stuff, but you also have to think about your structure, your gestures and your audience. Through working one-to-one with clients to improve their communication skills, the biggest issue I’ve repeatedly observed is how we try to master multiple aspects of public speaking at the same time – and it’s overwhelming.
Drawing on my observations combined with my theatrical background, I developed “CPR” to take the stress out of practicing public speaking by breaking down public speaking into three primary elements: Content, Process and Relationship. Have you ever noticed what makes you watch a movie a first, a second, and sometimes even a third time? It’s the same way you should be practicing public speaking.
Content, the “what”
When you first watch a movie, what are you paying attention to? Most likely, it’s the plot; the narrative; the core of “what” is going on. You want to understand what’s going on in the story, what the conflict is about, and how it ultimately gets resolved. Public speaking is very much the same: before anything else, you want to get clear on what you’re speaking about and in what order.
The biggest mistake in speaking practice is trying to do everything at once. Before anything else, get clear on what you’re going to speak about. What key message do you want to leave people with? Determine your focus to stay on point and diminish the risk of going on tangents. What points do you want to cover? Try to stick to a few key points and avoid the impulse to throw too much in. What’s the desired outcome of your speech? Have a clear idea of what you want people to think, feel or do by the time your time is up.
Process, the “how”
When you watch a movie the second time, what are you looking for? Most people answer “the things I missed the first time.” From elements such as what characters say that foreshadows later events, the nuances of scenes that contributes to a richer plot or Easter eggs for dedicated fans, a second viewing is more about looking for “how” the story is told. The same goes for public speaking once again: once you’ve got the content of your speech down, you’ve got scope to focus more on the nuances of delivery without the distraction of trying to work out the content.
Once you’ve got the content down, it’s time to develop your delivery. Where would a pause give the audience time to reflect? Where should you stand on stage and when to bring the point home? What gestures could you employ that would emphasise your wording and bring your message to life? Trying to ongoingly develop your content as rehearse keeps you trapped in your head; trusting in your knowledge and establish clarity gives you the room to refine what you have to share into a captivating performance. Remember – cinematic scripts are well-ironed out before actors start to refine their delivery!
Relationship, the “why”
What would drive you to watch a movie for a third time? Most likely, it’s because there is something meaningful to you about that movie. Perhaps there’s a character that you identify with, a scene that moves you in some way, or a conflict that you can relate to. Beyond what the movie is about or how it’s portrayed, it is how you connect with it that is likely to bring you back and keep you engaged. In public speaking, this comes down to how you communicate “why” should your audience listen to you. Once you’ve refined your delivery and can shift your focus out onto the audience, it’s time to develop the relational aspect of your speaking.
Once you’ve refined your delivery, focus on how you can connect with your audience. Where are you looking when you speak? Making meaningful eye contact with your audience is valuable. How are you showing your vulnerability? Demonstrating your authenticity enriches your credibility. How are you opening yourself up to the audience? Coming across as approachable encourages further conversation. Hone the ways with which you connect with the people you’re speaking to and you’ll mark the difference between being a polished performer and a relatable speaker.
“If you want to bring your speech to life, use CPR!”
We’ve all had times where we felt overwhelmed by the shear amounts of work we’ve had to do to prepare for a presentation. While putting effort in is unavoidable, the stress certainly is. The next time you have a speech on the horizon, remember to use CPR: thoroughly grasp your content first, polish your delivery second, then deepen your human impact third. As you develop each level individually and successively, and you’ll find yourself quickly honing the skills at the heart of mastering public speaking.
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