Your Public Best - Lillian Brown [51]
You may never make a speech that people will come to refer to in history books. However, with experience and a little luck, one day you may make a speech that your listeners call great, one that may be quoted or otherwise remembered. All it takes is some work and some know-how.
Some people find it easy to be “verbal.” They seem to speak effectively at any time, and both they and their listeners enjoy the experience.
But among the many aspects of this business of appearing in public, the one that many of my clients have told me over the years that they dread the most is getting up there and giving a speech. Years ago, one of my business clients said to me that he’d “rather have surgery than give a speech.”
I have found that this is often true even for those who are otherwise self-confident. Many of my clients worry about their performance and want to have their speaking skills equal their professional achievements. They want to get up on that platform and appear at their public best, but they find this difficult to do.
That’s why it’s always a great joy to me when I am able to see one of my clients become a better speaker. One of them, who was an expert in real estate investing whom I coached about six years ago, says that her career actually got stalled because she avoided all opportunities to speak and delegated them to subordinates. I worked with her for several months until she got over her fears and began to accept speaking engagements. It was only when she learned to give speeches that her career took off—she later landed an important job because her reputation as a dynamic speaker came to the attention of a prospective employer.
This chapter will help you to prepare and deliver a speech you can be proud of. It doesn’t matter whether you are one of those naturally verbal people or one who needs encouragement or some practice in order to become an effective speaker.
MAKING A COMMITMENT TO GIVE A SPEECH
When you are approached to make a speech, consider the depth of your commitment before you accept. Agree to the obligation only if you intend to honor it. People who cancel their speech dates frequently or on little notice soon get an unfavorable reputation.
Once you have accepted, reserve the date in your schedule and give it the time, consideration, and preparation that the engagement deserves. Each and every performance should be of major importance to you and to your audience.
In your mind, don’t call any speaking engagement that you have agreed to do “just a minor speech,” or you will end up giving it scant attention and your lack of preparation or your delivery style might reflect this and be sensed by your audience.
In order to arrive at the right place, at the right time, on the right day, get the important facts in writing—location, date, time of day, physical and financial arrangements, travel arrangements (including such details as airport-to-hotel transportation, if any), and the identity of your hosts. Ask for detailed directions in order to avoid last-minute confusion.
Write down the name and telephone number of the person who is making the preliminary arrangements and/or the person who is expecting you, and a number where those persons can be reached on the morning of your speech (even if it is on-site).
Also if you have any special needs such as a lowered podium, a box to stand on, hot tea with honey before you speak, a snack, or whatever, request these in advance and preferably in writing.
Ask in advance who will be introducing you, and make sure you know the correct way to spell and pronounce the name. Be sure that the sponsors know the correct spelling and pronunciation of your name. Also make sure they know what form of address you prefer to use (“doctor” or “professor,” for example), how you want your formal title or profession worded (“an expert on nuclear disarmament and the author of ten books on the subject”), and, finally, the correct name of the organization with which you are affiliated.
If the information about