The public speaking lesson you never had | DK . | TEDxNelson

Introduction

The speaker introduces himself and his experience with public speaking.

• The speaker has been running TEDx Wellington for the past 10 years.

• He has been coaching leaders, CEOs, and ex All Blacks for the past six years.

• He has over 60 years of public speaking experience himself.

Public Speaking Proposal

The speaker proposes a scenario to the audience about standing in front of a hundred people they don't know to share personal and professional stories.

• Asks if the audience would be interested in such a proposal.

• Mentions that many people may not enjoy public speaking.

Speaker's Background

The speaker shares his background and experiences with speech therapy due to hearing impairment.

• Born with a hearing impairment that required speech therapy from age five to eight or nine.

• Had multiple surgeries related to ear issues during his teens.

• Despite these challenges, he has turned listening into his speaking skill.

Components of Great Public Speaking

The speaker discusses the three components necessary for great public speaking: grace, credibility, and resonance.

Grace

• It's not what you say but how you say it that matters.

Credibility

• Refers to the content of your speech and the stories you tell.

Resonance

• Involves connecting with your audience on an emotional level.

Understanding Body Language

In this section, the speaker talks about how body language can reveal a lot about a person. He discusses different physical movements and gestures that people make while speaking.

Physicality of Speech

• The speaker's favorite thing to work on with clients is their physicality of speech.

• People have different ways of standing and moving while speaking, such as hip bop or one-legged walking.

• The soft rock star pose is a solution for those who tend to move around too much while speaking.

Gestures

• Hands are good for emphasizing points, but some people use them excessively.

• Swiveling and gestural cues are other common gestures that people make while speaking.

• Shaking is also common when people are nervous, but holding something like a clicker or hanky can help.

Scripts

• The speaker advises against using scripts because they limit spontaneity and can cause anxiety.

The Importance of Practicing Public Speaking

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of practicing public speaking without a script.

Practicing Public Speaking Without a Script

• When presenting with a piece of paper, it can shake and make the speaker appear scared.

• Getting rid of the script allows for better preparation for how one will feel when standing on stage in front of an audience.

• Most people practice wrong by writing a script. Writing and speaking are different, which creates a deficit in communication.

• Condensing the script into bullet points helps to prepare for what to say and stories to tell.

• Practicing without a script means not relying on feedback from family members or pets but preparing differently for physiological responses.

Credibility: The Stuff Coming Out of Your Mouth

In this section, the speaker talks about credibility and how it affects public speaking.

The Effect of Ted Talks on Audience Expectations

• Ted Talks have raised audience literacy levels, creating higher expectations for speakers.

• As a result, speakers must match or exceed what audiences have seen before.

Crafting Great Stories

• A great story is condensed and distilled down into bullet points from the original script.

• There are many narrative forms available such as telling where you started and finished while filling out details in between.

• Other more complex models include Nancy Duarte's "The Shape of Great Presentation" which establishes what is and what could be.

The Importance of Resonance in Presentations

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of resonance in presentations and how to achieve it.

Bullet Points Kill Attention

• Bullet points on a slide can distract from the presenter's message.

• Complex information should be broken up and presented as the speaker talks about it.

• Listeners cannot read and listen at the same time.

Humanize Information for Resonance

• The emotional impact of a presentation is important for resonance.

• Use stories that involve humans to make information more relatable.

• Emotion cues from the presenter help listeners understand how they should feel.

Jedi Mind Trick for Relaxation

• A breathing exercise can help presenters relax before giving a presentation.

• Breathing slowly and deeply can reset the parasympathetic system, reducing nervousness.

• This technique can also be used to shift nervousness into excitement.

Overcoming Nervousness in Public Speaking

In this section, the speaker discusses how to overcome nervousness when speaking in public.

Tips for Overcoming Nervousness

• The psychological state of being nervous is the same as being excited. Reframe your mindset and think of yourself as excited rather than nervous.

• Use a little bit of grace, credibility, and resonance to connect with your audience.

• Use a Yoda Jedi mind trick to boost your confidence.

• Have fun while speaking.

Overall, by reframing your mindset and using some simple techniques, you can overcome nervousness and deliver an effective speech.