So you've been asked to deliver an important speech and you've gone weak at the knees. How do you rise to the challenge?
Preparation, preparation, preparation
"You cannot prepare or practice enough," Richard says. "Consider your audience and what they are expecting. What will be their age range, gender make-up and cultural background? Consider the time of day you will be delivering your speech. Will it be after lunch when everyone is likely to be a bit tired, or in the morning when they are still buzzing from their morning coffee? Those contextual factors are important.
"Watch good TED talks and dissect speeches. What works well and why?"
Writing the speech
"Don't assume that because you know the material that you can communicate it well - they are actually two very different skills," Richard says. "Consider what you need to say and strategically plan the structure and sequencing of your speech, right down to your choice of words and language. Many inexperienced speakers adopt a chronological structure, but maybe that is not the most interesting way to captivate your audience and convey your information. You might lead in with a specific story or interesting anecdote.
"Speakers can feel they have to be stand-up comedians, that they have to be cracking jokes every 10 seconds to keep the audience engaged, but be mindful of the context. Humour isn't always appropriate. Be yourself; that's what the audience will connect with."
Practicing the speech
"It's not possible to over-rehearse," Richard says. "You need to be really familiar with your material, without memorising it to the point of knowing it off-by-heart. I don't encourage that; it can turn you into a robot and you can lose your connection with the audience. But don't read directly from your notes or slides either. Your notes should be a safety net, rather than something you rely on.
"Practice in front of a mirror, in front of a friend; even record your speech and watch yourself. This can be especially important if you are going to be delivering the speech online using Zoom or Skype and want to assess how you come across."
Ensure you are familiar with the technology
"This goes without saying, but also use the technology in such a way that you are in control," Richard says. "PowerPoint slides, for example, should complement rather than supplement you and your message. They should be as simple and uncluttered as possible, and use them sparingly, so they don't interfere with your connection with the audience."
Calm yourself
"I encourage deep, diaphragm-based breathing," Richard says. "Take a moment before you stand up or move to the lectern to place a hand on your belly and make sure that you are breathing mindfully, through the diaphragm and not your chest. We all get a little short of breath when we get anxious, so take five deep breaths and try and slow down your breathing. It can make a real difference."
The delivery
Remember to speak slowly and be aware of your body language - no slouching and odd hand movements! Maintain good posture, look audience members in the eye and smile.
"And when things go off the rails, which they might, don't panic," Richard says. "If the computer malfunctions or your slides get mixed up, then come back to your message. I think it's always important to have a Plan B and to have the slides printed out in front of you, just in case. Speak through them if you have to, which shouldn't be a problem if you are familiar with the content."
Ask for feedback
"If you can, get a sense of what the audience has taken away from the presentation, and be prepared for their honest feedback," Richard says. "This will help you continually improve and hone your public speaking skills."
Read Part 1 of this series.
