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Communications

Five Good Ideas about public speaking

Published on October 23, 2015

Everyone working towards social change will eventually get to the point where they need to share their efforts publicly. How and when this happens can be a critical moment for the success or failure of an organization or initiative. When the time comes to stand in front of the microphone, do you have what it takes to deliver? In this session, David P. Leonard, Director of Events and Special Projects at The Walrus, will share some of the tips he uses for preparing some of Canada’s top thinkers to present their ideas on stages across the country.

Five Good Ideas

  1. Take the opportunity – It’s critical to understand the expectations of your host, as well as learning as much as possible about the audience, format and potential reach of your speaking engagement. Focus on what they want. Your work is likely broad and multi-faceted. Find the message in it that will resonate best with your audience while also helping you achieve your goal. Build around that message.
  2. Build a bridge – No matter how well-known you think your subject matter may be, your audience needs you to guide them in. Show them how your topic fits into a larger, familiar context. Don’t dumb it down; bring them along with you.
  3. Tell a story – People connect with stories. Use your stats, use your research, use your call-to-action, but also connect the story to a person or a place or a tangible thing. Make it real.
  4. Be the expert‎ – Successful speaking comes from ease and confidence with your material. Consult your colleagues. Practice your talk, test your technology and deliver an on-time, on-topic talk. This is your moment. Do the work.
  5. Own your speech – The audience takes in your demeanour as much as they take in your words. Walk with purpose, think about your posture and breathing, don’t fidget and keep your head up as much as you can. Don’t grip the podium. Project control. When talking, don’t be afraid to slow down or pause for effect. The best orators see a speech as a performance. This is yours.

Good Resources

  1. Take the opportunity: Market Research Techniques: Primary and Secondary Market Research
  2. Tell a story: A Changemaker’s Guide storytelling
  3. Be the expert: Your colleagues, your research, a sounding board.
  4. Own your speech: 90 tips from Toastmasters or “Breathing” (a video to teach you how to reduce anxiety)