How To Become A Master Speaker

WHAT DEFINES A MASTER?

4 PRINCIPLES TO KEEP IN MIND

When I asked Dr. Sun, my Quigong (Martial Arts) teacher, what his definition of “A Master” was, he offered the following:

• The proper amount of energy
• At the proper time
• In the proper proportion
• So that you do no harm

How does this relate to becoming a Master Speaker?

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ENERGY WHILE SPEAKING?

A lot of people ask me these kinds of questions:

• What is the right amount of energy to use when I speak?
• What do I do with my hands?
• Where do I focus my mind?
• How should I move while speaking?
• Do I leave the podium or stay behind it?
• Where do I look when I am speaking?

The general rule of thumb here is if it sounds and feels and looks like you normally speak, it’s most likely just right. You don’t have to punch your speaking up to something that looks and sounds forced or that you are convinced is going to be more entertaining. That usually backfires.

Have Fun

If you are having fun while you are speaking, then your audience is bound to appreciate that and want to come with you on the speaking journey you are leading them on.

Speak From Your Heart

Audiences like to hear an authentic person speak from the heart and
tell their story as honestly and genuinely as possible. It’s no more
complicated than that. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be
truthful, natural and real. That’s compelling.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO SPEAK?

• If you are a subject matter expert, then you are usually invited to speak.
• If you are not the subject matter expert, but are trying to act like one, keep your mouth shut.
• As Abraham Lincoln said, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

WHAT IS THE PROPER PROPORTION OF SPEAKING TO SILENCE?

• Using silence in the proper proportion to your speaking can make your speeches extremely effective.
• Most people speak too fast not leaving enough silence between thoughts for their listeners to keep pace with or catch up to them.

Those Dreaded “Ummmms”

• Instead of saying “Umm” between your thoughts or sentences, challenge yourself to leave a small space of silence. Your audience will be grateful you do.
• Most speakers who are plagued with the dreaded “Umms” are themselves trying to create a space between their thoughts so they can catch up with themselves.
• “Umms” are often simply a place holder between a speakers thoughts. Silence works even better as it is less distracting for your audience.

HOW DO YOU SPEAK SO YOU DO NO HARM TO YOURSELF, YOUR TEAM OR OTHERS?

• Make sure you know “The Why,” or the reason you are speaking at all times. Most people get “The Facts” pretty well, but they forget “The Why” of why they are there.
• Passionate Master Speakers are always concerned with getting the facts
  correct but “The Why” is what makes their speech unique, interesting
  and compelling.

We All Love a Good Story
 

• Our brains are not hard wired for facts. They are hard wired for storytelling. But remember to tell a story that is relevant, compelling and that highlights the point you are trying to make. Irrelevant storytelling that is spoken for shock value or a joke in bad taste can be considered offensive and you run the risk of losing your audiences interest and trust completely.

Don’t Forget To Analyze Your Audience

• Before you even begin to write your speech for yourself or your group, analyze your audience very thoroughly and know:

1.           who they are,
2.           why they are there,
3.           what is the ratio of men to women,
4.           when they were born or their age demographic range,
5.           where they were born and anything specific about that part of the world
6.           what are the cultural bias’s they share or do not share among them and
7.           what they came to learn.

What are Your and Your Team’s Strengths and Weakness’s?

• Make sure you or your team member is the most qualified to speak on the subject at hand.
• Always know your speaking assets and liabilities. Make the most of your
  assets and minimize your liabilities as much as possible. This goes for your teammates as well.

And What About The Q and A?

• When preparing for a Q and A session, make sure you know what your and others team members strengths and weakness’s are.
• If a question is directed to you and it is not your strength,
  graciously pass it off to your team member with the words, “You know,
  that is a great question. I think my associate Jim is best qualified to
  answer your question and get you the information you need. Jim?” This
  strategy will not only cover your exposure point, it will make you look
  like a great team player.
• If you and your team do not know the answer or do not have the facts at hand, defer the question and be honest. Tell them, “That is a great question and I/we don’t have the specifics on that right now but if you will give your name or card to my/our assistant here, we promise to get you an answer within 48 hours. And then keep your word.

BECOMING A MASTER SPEAKER

Share Your Life Experiences

A Master Speaker is always learning, growing, and expanding. The more interesting a person you become, the more interesting stories you will have from your life experience to talk about and share with your audience.

It Truly Can Become Effortless

Focus on creating a flourishing life, and you will naturally shine in your speaking with the joy of living. Focus on expressing your True Self, and your Real Voice will be expressed quite naturally. The Master Speaker makes it all look so effortless and it is effortless when you allow the True You to speak from the heart.