Just back from an action packed weekend of Toastmasters. I attended the Toastmasters District 61 Fall Conference and had the opportunity to see the 2007 World Champion of Public Speaking - Vikas Jhingran - present a workshop on using emotion to capture the audience. He certainly captured our attention as he gave 3 fantastic speeches, including the one that got him to the world stage.
I also saw a fairly new Toastmaster give her speech as the test speaker for the English Evaluation Contest where she shared her dream of becoming a World Champion and I agree with all of her evaluators - she has the right stuff to get there and I look forward to seeing her on stage in the near future.
The weekend was filled with laughter and workshops and speeches and networking and meals and more. So much so that all I could think of when I got home was sleeping.
As the District 61 Public Relations Officer, I tried to capture some of the event and did a couple of video interviews which I uploaded to YouTube. But there is so much to a conference, it is impossible to capture the spirit of it. You have to be there to really drink it all in. If you ever have a chance to attend a Toastmasters Conference - take it. The next one for our District is in Vaudreuil at the end of April, but no matter where you live, there is a Toastmasters event near you. Check it out.
Fran
P.S. Here is a link to some of the videos I took videos
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Videos
Hi
Are you using videos to help you with your public speaking? Do you tape yourself, or have someone tape your speech, and then sit down to review how you used your gestures, your vocal variety, your eye contact, etc.? If not, you should consider doing it as it will help you develop your public speaking skills more quickly.
This is a mini video that we used to promote our Poetry Night for our Toastmasters Club. When I watch it I can see many things that I need to change.
So, go ahead, be brave. Videotape your next speech, and begin improving by leaps and bounds.
Fran
P.S. Click here to learn more
Are you using videos to help you with your public speaking? Do you tape yourself, or have someone tape your speech, and then sit down to review how you used your gestures, your vocal variety, your eye contact, etc.? If not, you should consider doing it as it will help you develop your public speaking skills more quickly.
This is a mini video that we used to promote our Poetry Night for our Toastmasters Club. When I watch it I can see many things that I need to change.
So, go ahead, be brave. Videotape your next speech, and begin improving by leaps and bounds.
Fran
P.S. Click here to learn more
Friday, November 11, 2011
We Remember
I wrote this this morning while attending a Remembrance Day Service.
An hour of our time
Is it too much to ask,
to think about those who died
to keep our country safe?
To think about those who
continue to serve,
caring not for themselves,
but for those of us who remain here
safe and sound,
while they suffer in the trenches of wars
stationed far away from family and friends?
And yet, they continue to volunteer to serve.
No, an hour is not too much,
and a lifetime is not long enough.
Thank you to all who serve
and who have served in the past.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Fran Watson
An hour of our time
Is it too much to ask,
to think about those who died
to keep our country safe?
To think about those who
continue to serve,
caring not for themselves,
but for those of us who remain here
safe and sound,
while they suffer in the trenches of wars
stationed far away from family and friends?
And yet, they continue to volunteer to serve.
No, an hour is not too much,
and a lifetime is not long enough.
Thank you to all who serve
and who have served in the past.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Fran Watson
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Leadership
How to Become an Ideal Leader
When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to? Do you see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished? And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals? Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.
Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. If that is the case, then maybe leadership just suits you fine.
Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.
What is leadership? To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. A leader contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
To get started first of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.
Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what your subordinates must be.
Studies have shown that one other basis of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have in you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization. Trust and confidence are built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.
Once you have their trust and confidence, you may proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.
Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.
Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.
It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone. You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.
Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.
To your leadership success
Fran
P.S. Did you know that Toastmasters has contributed significantly to the success of many of our leaders? Find out more here
P.P.S. For tips on Public Speaking click here
When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to? Do you see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished? And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals? Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.
Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. If that is the case, then maybe leadership just suits you fine.
Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.
What is leadership? To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. A leader contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
To get started first of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.
Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what your subordinates must be.
Studies have shown that one other basis of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have in you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization. Trust and confidence are built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.
Once you have their trust and confidence, you may proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.
Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.
Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.
It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone. You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.
Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.
To your leadership success
Fran
P.S. Did you know that Toastmasters has contributed significantly to the success of many of our leaders? Find out more here
P.P.S. For tips on Public Speaking click here
Monday, November 7, 2011
Deadly Sins in Public Speaking
Deadly Sin #7: Pride
Andrew Dlugan, sixminutes.dlugan.com
Pride is committed by a speaker who believes that public speaking is about them.
It’s not.
It’s never about you.
It’s never about your impressive accolades in your introduction.
It’s never about your dazzling delivery where you channel Churchill.
It’s never about your sumptuous slides which prominently feature your company logo beside dazzling 3-D pie charts.
Public speaking is always about the audience and the message you want to convey. Failing to put the audience first will kill any presentation. You need to perform audience analysis to discover how best to structure your presentation and deliver the message.
“It’s never about you. Public speaking is always about the audience and the message you want to convey.”
Avoid this sin by starting to analyze your presentation from the audience’s perspective. Amazingly, most of the other speaking sins will go away.
You’ll recognize that you need to prepare. (Sloth)
You will realize that you are uniquely capable of delivering your message to this audience. (Envy)
You will trim all of the fluff to deliver a message which is focused and easy-to-understand. (Gluttony)
You will respect the time your audience has given you. (Greed)
You won’t saddle your audience with your problems. (Wrath)
As for Lust when speaking, well… that’s just silly
I hope you enjoyed these tips from Andrew Dlugan. You can find a lot more information at his website: www.sixminutes.dlugan.com including tips for family members on stocking stuffers for public speakers. His site is pretty amazing and I would recommend you check it out.
To your success as a public speaker!
Fran Watson
P.S. For more tips on public speaking, click here
Andrew Dlugan, sixminutes.dlugan.com
Pride is committed by a speaker who believes that public speaking is about them.
It’s not.
It’s never about you.
It’s never about your impressive accolades in your introduction.
It’s never about your dazzling delivery where you channel Churchill.
It’s never about your sumptuous slides which prominently feature your company logo beside dazzling 3-D pie charts.
Public speaking is always about the audience and the message you want to convey. Failing to put the audience first will kill any presentation. You need to perform audience analysis to discover how best to structure your presentation and deliver the message.
“It’s never about you. Public speaking is always about the audience and the message you want to convey.”
Avoid this sin by starting to analyze your presentation from the audience’s perspective. Amazingly, most of the other speaking sins will go away.
You’ll recognize that you need to prepare. (Sloth)
You will realize that you are uniquely capable of delivering your message to this audience. (Envy)
You will trim all of the fluff to deliver a message which is focused and easy-to-understand. (Gluttony)
You will respect the time your audience has given you. (Greed)
You won’t saddle your audience with your problems. (Wrath)
As for Lust when speaking, well… that’s just silly
I hope you enjoyed these tips from Andrew Dlugan. You can find a lot more information at his website: www.sixminutes.dlugan.com including tips for family members on stocking stuffers for public speakers. His site is pretty amazing and I would recommend you check it out.
To your success as a public speaker!
Fran Watson
P.S. For more tips on public speaking, click here
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Seven Sins continued
Deadly Sin #6: Wrath
Andrew Dlugan sixminutes.dlugan.com
Wrath, or uncontrolled anger, is committed by a speaker who handles problems in the worst possible way.
As a speaker, you should always remain in control. No matter how bad your presentation is going, keep calm. Don’t let these frustrations provoke you:
When you make a mistake (even a big one), resist the urge to draw more attention to it by cursing yourself in an attempt to draw pity.
When an audience member is disrupting the room, resist the urge to “solve” it with sarcasm.
When the room or venue logistics fail, don’t start blaming the organizers or anyone else. Instead, roll with in and move on.
When an audience member is heckling you, do not take the bait.
Getting angry — whether at yourself, someone in the audience, or some other factor — is one of the worst things you can do. Your audience will feel uncomfortable and your credibility will be diminished considerably.
Finally, the first six speaker sins are all symptoms of the deadliest speaking sin of them all…
Come back and find out more
Fran Watson
P.S. In the meantime get more info on public speaking - click here
Andrew Dlugan sixminutes.dlugan.com
Wrath, or uncontrolled anger, is committed by a speaker who handles problems in the worst possible way.
As a speaker, you should always remain in control. No matter how bad your presentation is going, keep calm. Don’t let these frustrations provoke you:
When you make a mistake (even a big one), resist the urge to draw more attention to it by cursing yourself in an attempt to draw pity.
When an audience member is disrupting the room, resist the urge to “solve” it with sarcasm.
When the room or venue logistics fail, don’t start blaming the organizers or anyone else. Instead, roll with in and move on.
When an audience member is heckling you, do not take the bait.
Getting angry — whether at yourself, someone in the audience, or some other factor — is one of the worst things you can do. Your audience will feel uncomfortable and your credibility will be diminished considerably.
Finally, the first six speaker sins are all symptoms of the deadliest speaking sin of them all…
Come back and find out more
Fran Watson
P.S. In the meantime get more info on public speaking - click here
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Are you Boring?
Have you ever been waiting your turn to speak and waited and waited and waited because the people before you, all of whom were allotted only 5 minutes have gone on and on and on.......?
Deadly Sin #5: Greed
From Andrew Dlugan sixminutes.dlugan.com
“Speaking for more than your allotted time violates the contract you have with your audience, and that’s never a good thing.”
Greed is the deadly sin of excess, and is committed by a speaker who goes over time.
Does this sound familiar?
“Oh, is that clock correct? I’m only halfway through…”
“I haven’t gotten to the good part yet…”
“Are there any objections to cutting our lunch break in half so I can finish this?”
Speaking for more than your allotted time violates the contract you have with your audience, and that’s never good. People are busy and do not appreciate having their time wasted. Nobody will complain if you finish a few minutes early.
If you go over time, negative emotions begin to fill the room, making you more susceptible to experience…
Yours to better public speaking
Fran Watson
P.S. Toastmasters can help you become a better speaker. You can learn how to estimate the time it will take for your speech and how to cut to the chase if you have too many words for your time slot. Ask me how.
P.P.S. For more information and help with public speaking, click here
Deadly Sin #5: Greed
From Andrew Dlugan sixminutes.dlugan.com
“Speaking for more than your allotted time violates the contract you have with your audience, and that’s never a good thing.”
Greed is the deadly sin of excess, and is committed by a speaker who goes over time.
Does this sound familiar?
“Oh, is that clock correct? I’m only halfway through…”
“I haven’t gotten to the good part yet…”
“Are there any objections to cutting our lunch break in half so I can finish this?”
Speaking for more than your allotted time violates the contract you have with your audience, and that’s never good. People are busy and do not appreciate having their time wasted. Nobody will complain if you finish a few minutes early.
If you go over time, negative emotions begin to fill the room, making you more susceptible to experience…
Yours to better public speaking
Fran Watson
P.S. Toastmasters can help you become a better speaker. You can learn how to estimate the time it will take for your speech and how to cut to the chase if you have too many words for your time slot. Ask me how.
P.P.S. For more information and help with public speaking, click here
Sunday, October 30, 2011
7 Deadly Sins - Tip #4
Have you ever given a speech that ran over time?
Deadly Sin #4: Gluttony
by Andrew Dlugan sixminutes.dlugan.com
Gluttony is exhibited by speakers who believe that more is always better.
More slides, more bullets, more examples, more facts, more numbers, more details, more words — more of everything.
Packing all possible material into your presentation and then speeding through it is flawed, despite your best intentions to provide maximum value. More is (usually) not better. Cognitive research shows that people have a limited capacity to absorb information (see Kosslyn’s Clear and to the Point and Mayer’s Multimedia Learning). Overloading that capacity will reduce their ability to absorb anything at all! Quantity is no substitute for quality.
It is better to focus your presentation on your core message, select only the very best support material (facts, slides, anecdotes), and speak at a reasonable pace. Supplementary material, if necessary, belongs in a handout.
All of this gluttony — too many slides, too many stories, too many details — leads the speaker down a dark and dirty path towards…
Come back to find out more....
Fran Watson
P.S. For more tips on how to be a successful public speaker, click here!
Deadly Sin #4: Gluttony
by Andrew Dlugan sixminutes.dlugan.com
Gluttony is exhibited by speakers who believe that more is always better.
More slides, more bullets, more examples, more facts, more numbers, more details, more words — more of everything.
Packing all possible material into your presentation and then speeding through it is flawed, despite your best intentions to provide maximum value. More is (usually) not better. Cognitive research shows that people have a limited capacity to absorb information (see Kosslyn’s Clear and to the Point and Mayer’s Multimedia Learning). Overloading that capacity will reduce their ability to absorb anything at all! Quantity is no substitute for quality.
It is better to focus your presentation on your core message, select only the very best support material (facts, slides, anecdotes), and speak at a reasonable pace. Supplementary material, if necessary, belongs in a handout.
All of this gluttony — too many slides, too many stories, too many details — leads the speaker down a dark and dirty path towards…
Come back to find out more....
Fran Watson
P.S. For more tips on how to be a successful public speaker, click here!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Deadly Sin #3 - Lust
Tips from Andrew Dlugan - http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/
“Please don’t picture the audience naked, especially if I am in your audience.”
The lustful speaker attempts to calm their nerves by applying the common (yet terrible) advice to picture the audience naked!
Please don’t picture the audience naked, especially if I am in your audience.
In theory, picturing your audience naked makes them seem as vulnerable as you feel. It may provide a brief lighthearted moment to feed your teenaged appetite, but it won’t help you speak better.
More likely, it will cause an additional distraction and impede your efforts to connect with your audience. Consider this: how easy is it for you to communicate something meaningful to a room full of naked people? Can you inspire them? Impossible.
Nervous speakers who avoid this lustful deadly sin are, unfortunately, still prone to committing another deadly sin…
Stay tuned for the next tip
to your speaking success!!
Fran
P.S. In the meantime, help yourself to more tips - Click here
“Please don’t picture the audience naked, especially if I am in your audience.”
The lustful speaker attempts to calm their nerves by applying the common (yet terrible) advice to picture the audience naked!
Please don’t picture the audience naked, especially if I am in your audience.
In theory, picturing your audience naked makes them seem as vulnerable as you feel. It may provide a brief lighthearted moment to feed your teenaged appetite, but it won’t help you speak better.
More likely, it will cause an additional distraction and impede your efforts to connect with your audience. Consider this: how easy is it for you to communicate something meaningful to a room full of naked people? Can you inspire them? Impossible.
Nervous speakers who avoid this lustful deadly sin are, unfortunately, still prone to committing another deadly sin…
Stay tuned for the next tip
to your speaking success!!
Fran
P.S. In the meantime, help yourself to more tips - Click here
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking - Tip 2
Deadly Sin #2: Envy
From Andrew Dlugan - SixMinutes.dlugan.com
Envy is characterized by a false belief that great speakers are simply lucky to have been born with natural speaking skills.
You’ve heard the excuses from your colleagues, haven’t you?
“She’s so lucky! She’s a natural speaker!”
“Hmph! It’s so easy for him to speak in front of people.”
“No, I couldn’t deliver the proposal. I’m not a speaker.”
People who are envious of the “natural” skills of others are more likely to apply misguided solutions when confronted by an unavoidable speaking situation:
They steal stories and anecdotes from others rather than creating original ones
They copy PowerPoint slides from others even if they don’t quite apply
They mimic the oratorical style of others and lack authenticity
Because of bad habits like this, speakers suffer from lack of confidence. They know the stories, the slides, and the words are not their own. Nervousness results because they fear being exposed, and this nervousness leads to crazy behaviors like… (read more tomorrow)
Go, and sin no more...
Fran
P.S. For more tips on public speaking, click here:
From Andrew Dlugan - SixMinutes.dlugan.com
Envy is characterized by a false belief that great speakers are simply lucky to have been born with natural speaking skills.
You’ve heard the excuses from your colleagues, haven’t you?
“She’s so lucky! She’s a natural speaker!”
“Hmph! It’s so easy for him to speak in front of people.”
“No, I couldn’t deliver the proposal. I’m not a speaker.”
People who are envious of the “natural” skills of others are more likely to apply misguided solutions when confronted by an unavoidable speaking situation:
They steal stories and anecdotes from others rather than creating original ones
They copy PowerPoint slides from others even if they don’t quite apply
They mimic the oratorical style of others and lack authenticity
Because of bad habits like this, speakers suffer from lack of confidence. They know the stories, the slides, and the words are not their own. Nervousness results because they fear being exposed, and this nervousness leads to crazy behaviors like… (read more tomorrow)
Go, and sin no more...
Fran
P.S. For more tips on public speaking, click here:
Monday, October 24, 2011
7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking
from Andrew Dlugan sixminutes.dlugan.com
Deadly Sin #1: Sloth
Sloth, or laziness, is committed by speakers who fail to prepare.
Speaking in public, whether formally or informally, is an essential activity that requires effort. Yet, the majority of people expend no effort to improve their effectiveness as a speaker. Tragically, they are content to drift from one frustrating presentation to the next.
“Speaking in public, whether formally or informally, is an essential activity that requires effort.”
You can avoid sloth in a number of ways:
■Enroll in a public speaking course
■Read public speaking books
■Read public speaking blogs
■Join Toastmasters or another local speaking club
■Study great speakers
■Hire a speaking coach
(By reading this article, you’re making the effort to improve. Sloth has no claim on you!)
Failing to prepare for life by improving your speaking skills leads to a chain of excuses, characterized by… (come back tomorrow to find out..)
To becoming a better speaker!!
Fran
P.S. For more help in developing your public speaking skills, click here.
Deadly Sin #1: Sloth
Sloth, or laziness, is committed by speakers who fail to prepare.
Speaking in public, whether formally or informally, is an essential activity that requires effort. Yet, the majority of people expend no effort to improve their effectiveness as a speaker. Tragically, they are content to drift from one frustrating presentation to the next.
“Speaking in public, whether formally or informally, is an essential activity that requires effort.”
You can avoid sloth in a number of ways:
■Enroll in a public speaking course
■Read public speaking books
■Read public speaking blogs
■Join Toastmasters or another local speaking club
■Study great speakers
■Hire a speaking coach
(By reading this article, you’re making the effort to improve. Sloth has no claim on you!)
Failing to prepare for life by improving your speaking skills leads to a chain of excuses, characterized by… (come back tomorrow to find out..)
To becoming a better speaker!!
Fran
P.S. For more help in developing your public speaking skills, click here.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Public Speaking - The Key Is In The Body Language.
Most people have a fear of speaking to a large group. This is a totally normal apprehension. People may visualise the audience laughing at them, or shouting out. This is an extremely rare occurrence, unless you are a politician.
Most people listening to you are aware of the pressures you are under and would never change places with you.
These guidelines will help you to overcome your fears.
1. Know your subject. Read through your presentation beforehand. Read around the subject, so that you are confident that you know more than your audience, even after you have spoken. If you know your subject then you will come across in an interesting way and keep the attention of your audience.
2. Expect to do well. Your expectations are obvious in your body language. If your audience sees that you expect to do badly, you will do badly. Expectation is vital.
3. Look at your audience. Eye contact is vital if you are to judge their understanding so that you can change the pace of your delivery if necessary.
4. Use notes. You should never, never read your speech from a sheet.
5. Slow your speech down. This makes you appear more confident and enables your audience to take it in more easily. If you are talking slower, it is easier for your audience to maintain their attention, and momentary lapses in their concentration mean that they miss less.
6. Vary the tone and level of your voice. This maintains interest. You should speak clearly and project your voice, rather than shouting. Talking quietly in key segments means that your listeners will need to actively listen to those parts of your presentation.
7. Avoid excessive body movements and gestures. Hand gestures can be used for emphasis only.
8. Keep your hands and thumbs visible. Holding your hands out, with the thumbs uppermost is a very powerful dominance gesture. Watch politicians speaking, they all use this gesture.
9. Rejoice in the endorphin high that you will feel when it goes well.
For more information on public speaking, check out Toastmasters
To your success as a public speaker!!
Fran Watson
P.S. You can get a copy of over 800 speech topics here
Most people listening to you are aware of the pressures you are under and would never change places with you.
These guidelines will help you to overcome your fears.
1. Know your subject. Read through your presentation beforehand. Read around the subject, so that you are confident that you know more than your audience, even after you have spoken. If you know your subject then you will come across in an interesting way and keep the attention of your audience.
2. Expect to do well. Your expectations are obvious in your body language. If your audience sees that you expect to do badly, you will do badly. Expectation is vital.
3. Look at your audience. Eye contact is vital if you are to judge their understanding so that you can change the pace of your delivery if necessary.
4. Use notes. You should never, never read your speech from a sheet.
5. Slow your speech down. This makes you appear more confident and enables your audience to take it in more easily. If you are talking slower, it is easier for your audience to maintain their attention, and momentary lapses in their concentration mean that they miss less.
6. Vary the tone and level of your voice. This maintains interest. You should speak clearly and project your voice, rather than shouting. Talking quietly in key segments means that your listeners will need to actively listen to those parts of your presentation.
7. Avoid excessive body movements and gestures. Hand gestures can be used for emphasis only.
8. Keep your hands and thumbs visible. Holding your hands out, with the thumbs uppermost is a very powerful dominance gesture. Watch politicians speaking, they all use this gesture.
9. Rejoice in the endorphin high that you will feel when it goes well.
For more information on public speaking, check out Toastmasters
To your success as a public speaker!!
Fran Watson
P.S. You can get a copy of over 800 speech topics here
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Toastmasters Builds Leaders
How to Become an Ideal Leader
When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.
Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.
Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.
You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.
First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.
Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be.
Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization.
Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.
Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.
Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.
Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.
It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.
You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.
Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.
Toastmasters International recently went through a rebranding process and the new motto is "Toastmasters Where Leaders Are Made".
You may wonder... "what does public speaking have to do with leadership?", but communication is one of the skills a leader must have in order to lead. You also learn leadership in a club by taking on meeting roles such as Toastmaster and Table Topics Master or General Evaluator or Speech Evaluator.
If you haven't yet checked out Toastmasters, why not look for a club near you by going to the Toastmasters International website and click on "Find A Club".
I am a member of District 61 and you can find more information about our clubs here
Perhaps we will meet at a conference some time!
Please feel free to comment below.
Fran Watson
P.S. If you would like a list of over 800 speech topics, click here
P.P.S. Once you have received your list, you will also receive weekly tips on public speaking.
When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.
Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.
Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.
You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.
First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.
Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be.
Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization.
Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.
Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.
Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.
Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.
It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.
You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.
Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.
Toastmasters International recently went through a rebranding process and the new motto is "Toastmasters Where Leaders Are Made".
You may wonder... "what does public speaking have to do with leadership?", but communication is one of the skills a leader must have in order to lead. You also learn leadership in a club by taking on meeting roles such as Toastmaster and Table Topics Master or General Evaluator or Speech Evaluator.
If you haven't yet checked out Toastmasters, why not look for a club near you by going to the Toastmasters International website and click on "Find A Club".
I am a member of District 61 and you can find more information about our clubs here
Perhaps we will meet at a conference some time!
Please feel free to comment below.
Fran Watson
P.S. If you would like a list of over 800 speech topics, click here
P.P.S. Once you have received your list, you will also receive weekly tips on public speaking.
Friday, September 30, 2011
10 Ways To Take The Fear Out Of Public Speaking
Do you "feel the fear" when asked to do some Public Speaking?
Public Speaking is still one of our greatest fears and it turns grown men and women into nervous wrecks. The mere thought of it turns our tongue to cotton wool, causes our internal plumbing to act up and turns our knees to jelly.
Well, there's no need for all of this because help is at hand. All you need to remember are your P's and Q's. Let's start with the P's
Preparation -
When you sit down to write what you're going to say, bear in mind who you'll be speaking to. Will they understand what you're talking about; will they understand the technical stuff and the jargon? If in doubt remember the old saying - "Keep It Simple Stupid".
Make sure that what you say has a beginning, middle and an end. Think of some anecdotes that help reinforce your story. People think visually so paint verbal pictures for your audience. And always remember, people want to know what's in it for them - so make sure you tell them!
Place -
Have a look at the venue before the event if you can. It's not always possible, however, even if you get there half an hour before, you can check out where you'll be speaking.
Stand at the point where you will deliver from, imagine where the audience will be and check that they can see and hear you. You may even wish to place a glass of water where you'll be able to find it.
Personal Preparation -
Before any Public Speaking event, think about what you are going to wear; when in doubt dress up rather than down. You can always take things off for a more casual look. Men could remove their jacket and their tie. Women could remove items of jewellery.
Part of your personal preparation should include some mouth and breathing exercises. Practise saying some tongue twisters to give your speaking muscles a good work out. Take a deep breath and expand your diaphragm. Then breathe out, counting at the same time; try and get up to fifty and not pass out.
As part of your personal preparation, write your own introduction. Write out exactly what you want someone to say about you, large font, double-spaced and ask the person introducing you to read it. Believe me they won't object and will probably be pleased and impressed.
Poise and Posture -
Whenever you're called to speak, stand up or walk to the front quickly and purposefully. Pull yourself up to your full height, stand tall and look like you own the place. Before you start to speak, pause, look round your audience and smile. You may even have to wait until the applause dies down. Remember, you want the audience to like you, so look likeable.
Pretend -
I'm suggesting you pretend you're not nervous because no doubt you will be. Nervousness is vital for speaking in public, it boosts your adrenaline, which makes your mind sharper and gives you energy.
The trick is to keep your nerves to yourself. On no account tell your audience your nervous; you'll only scare the living daylights out of them if they think you're going to faint.
Some tricks for dealing with nerves are:
Before you're called to speak, get lots of oxygen into your system, run on the spot and wave your arms about like a lunatic. It burns off the stress chemicals.
Speak to members of your audience as they come in or at some time before you stand up. That tricks your brain into thinking you're talking to some friends.
Have a glass of water handy for that dry mouth. One word of warning - do not drink alcohol. You want to be sure you know what you are saying.
The Presentation -
Right from the start your delivery needs to grab their attention.
Don't start by saying - "Good morning, my name is Fred Smith and I'm from Smith Associates." Even if your name is Smith, it's a real boring way to start a presentation. Far better to start with some interesting facts or an anecdote that's relevant to your presentation.
Look at the audience as individuals; it grabs their attention if they think you're talking to them personally.
Talk louder than you would normally do, it keeps the people in the front row awake and makes sure those at the back get the message. Funnily enough, it's also good for your nerves.
PowerPoint -
And for those of you who haven't heard of it, it's a software programme that's used to design stunning graphics and text for projection onto a screen.
As a professional speaker, I'm not that struck on PowerPoint. I feel that too many speakers rely on it and it takes over the presentation. After all, you're the important factor here. If an audience is going to accept
what you say then they need to see the whites of your eyes. There needs to be a big focus on you, not on the technology.
Use PowerPoint if you want but keep it to a minimum and make sure you're not just the person pushing the buttons. Why not get a bit clever at using the faithful old Flip Chart, lots of professionals do. Paul Huschilt does an amazing job with Flip Charts.
Passion -
This is what stops the audience in their tracks. This is what makes them want to employ you or to accept what you're proposing. Couple this with some energy, enthusiasm and emotion and you have the makings of a great public speaker.
Give your presentation a bit of oomph and don't start telling me - "I'm not that kind of person." There's no need to go over the top but you're doing a presentation to move people to action, not having a cosy little chat in your front room.
That's the P's finished, so let's look at the Q's.
Questions -
Decide when you're going to take them and tell people at the start. In a short speech it's best to take questions at the end. If you take them as you go then you may get waylaid and your timing will get knocked out.
Never - never - never finish with questions; far better to ask for questions five or ten minutes before the end. Deal with the questions and then summarise for a strong finish. Too many presentations finish on questions and the whole thing goes a bit flat.
When you're asked a question, repeat it to the whole audience and thank the questioner. It keeps everyone involved, it gives you time to think and it makes you look so clever and in control.
Quit -
Quit when you're ahead. Stick to the agreed time; if you're asked to speak for twenty minutes, speak for nineteen and the audience will love you for it. Remember, quality is not quantity.
One of the most famous speeches ever - "The Gettysburg Address", by President Lincoln, was just over two minutes long.
Right, that's my cue to quit when I'm ahead. Now that you're armed with this information you too can minimise your fear of Public Speaking.
To your Speaking Success
Fran
P.S. For a free list of over 800 speech topics click here
Public Speaking is still one of our greatest fears and it turns grown men and women into nervous wrecks. The mere thought of it turns our tongue to cotton wool, causes our internal plumbing to act up and turns our knees to jelly.
Well, there's no need for all of this because help is at hand. All you need to remember are your P's and Q's. Let's start with the P's
Preparation -
When you sit down to write what you're going to say, bear in mind who you'll be speaking to. Will they understand what you're talking about; will they understand the technical stuff and the jargon? If in doubt remember the old saying - "Keep It Simple Stupid".
Make sure that what you say has a beginning, middle and an end. Think of some anecdotes that help reinforce your story. People think visually so paint verbal pictures for your audience. And always remember, people want to know what's in it for them - so make sure you tell them!
Place -
Have a look at the venue before the event if you can. It's not always possible, however, even if you get there half an hour before, you can check out where you'll be speaking.
Stand at the point where you will deliver from, imagine where the audience will be and check that they can see and hear you. You may even wish to place a glass of water where you'll be able to find it.
Personal Preparation -
Before any Public Speaking event, think about what you are going to wear; when in doubt dress up rather than down. You can always take things off for a more casual look. Men could remove their jacket and their tie. Women could remove items of jewellery.
Part of your personal preparation should include some mouth and breathing exercises. Practise saying some tongue twisters to give your speaking muscles a good work out. Take a deep breath and expand your diaphragm. Then breathe out, counting at the same time; try and get up to fifty and not pass out.
As part of your personal preparation, write your own introduction. Write out exactly what you want someone to say about you, large font, double-spaced and ask the person introducing you to read it. Believe me they won't object and will probably be pleased and impressed.
Poise and Posture -
Whenever you're called to speak, stand up or walk to the front quickly and purposefully. Pull yourself up to your full height, stand tall and look like you own the place. Before you start to speak, pause, look round your audience and smile. You may even have to wait until the applause dies down. Remember, you want the audience to like you, so look likeable.
Pretend -
I'm suggesting you pretend you're not nervous because no doubt you will be. Nervousness is vital for speaking in public, it boosts your adrenaline, which makes your mind sharper and gives you energy.
The trick is to keep your nerves to yourself. On no account tell your audience your nervous; you'll only scare the living daylights out of them if they think you're going to faint.
Some tricks for dealing with nerves are:
Before you're called to speak, get lots of oxygen into your system, run on the spot and wave your arms about like a lunatic. It burns off the stress chemicals.
Speak to members of your audience as they come in or at some time before you stand up. That tricks your brain into thinking you're talking to some friends.
Have a glass of water handy for that dry mouth. One word of warning - do not drink alcohol. You want to be sure you know what you are saying.
The Presentation -
Right from the start your delivery needs to grab their attention.
Don't start by saying - "Good morning, my name is Fred Smith and I'm from Smith Associates." Even if your name is Smith, it's a real boring way to start a presentation. Far better to start with some interesting facts or an anecdote that's relevant to your presentation.
Look at the audience as individuals; it grabs their attention if they think you're talking to them personally.
Talk louder than you would normally do, it keeps the people in the front row awake and makes sure those at the back get the message. Funnily enough, it's also good for your nerves.
PowerPoint -
And for those of you who haven't heard of it, it's a software programme that's used to design stunning graphics and text for projection onto a screen.
As a professional speaker, I'm not that struck on PowerPoint. I feel that too many speakers rely on it and it takes over the presentation. After all, you're the important factor here. If an audience is going to accept
what you say then they need to see the whites of your eyes. There needs to be a big focus on you, not on the technology.
Use PowerPoint if you want but keep it to a minimum and make sure you're not just the person pushing the buttons. Why not get a bit clever at using the faithful old Flip Chart, lots of professionals do. Paul Huschilt does an amazing job with Flip Charts.
Passion -
This is what stops the audience in their tracks. This is what makes them want to employ you or to accept what you're proposing. Couple this with some energy, enthusiasm and emotion and you have the makings of a great public speaker.
Give your presentation a bit of oomph and don't start telling me - "I'm not that kind of person." There's no need to go over the top but you're doing a presentation to move people to action, not having a cosy little chat in your front room.
That's the P's finished, so let's look at the Q's.
Questions -
Decide when you're going to take them and tell people at the start. In a short speech it's best to take questions at the end. If you take them as you go then you may get waylaid and your timing will get knocked out.
Never - never - never finish with questions; far better to ask for questions five or ten minutes before the end. Deal with the questions and then summarise for a strong finish. Too many presentations finish on questions and the whole thing goes a bit flat.
When you're asked a question, repeat it to the whole audience and thank the questioner. It keeps everyone involved, it gives you time to think and it makes you look so clever and in control.
Quit -
Quit when you're ahead. Stick to the agreed time; if you're asked to speak for twenty minutes, speak for nineteen and the audience will love you for it. Remember, quality is not quantity.
One of the most famous speeches ever - "The Gettysburg Address", by President Lincoln, was just over two minutes long.
Right, that's my cue to quit when I'm ahead. Now that you're armed with this information you too can minimise your fear of Public Speaking.
To your Speaking Success
Fran
P.S. For a free list of over 800 speech topics click here
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Nervousness
7 Public Speaking Survival Tips
I used to be terrified of public speaking - now it's natural and fun.
Dry mouth, fast heart, sweaty palms, blank mind - yeah I've been there! It's easy to fear public speaking. But I was never just content with overcoming fear. I wanted to be a great speaker. What I needed was a way of calming down and applying simple techniques and strategies to talk like a pro.
When I'd learned to relax (more of that later) I learned and applied the following four steps.
- Reassure your audience - they need to know you know your stuff and you are human!
- Hook them by being interesting and relevant. Tell them why what you are saying is relevant to them.
- Inspire them by giving them information and ways of seeing that are new and applicable.
- Leave them on a high by telling a story them encapsulates your central message.
How do you become confident enough to apply the four steps?
Here's some tips some of which are practical some of which are to do with the way you think about your public presentations and also how you can start to change the way you feel about them.
Tip One
Breath your way to calm. When you breath out you relax that's why people sigh when they're stressed.
Breathing in without breathing out causes hyperventilation and worsens anxiety. Just before your speech take five minutes breathing in to the count of seven and out to the count of eleven (quick count-not seconds!). On the out breath hold it a second before breathing in again. This will produce quick and lasting calm. Remember extending the out breath calms you down.
Tip Two
You have a responsibility as the presenter but relax you don't carry all the responsibility. Presenting is a team effort. Audiences are responsible for politeness, extending their attention and attempting to learn. It's not all you-it's a meeting of two halves. Never mind how they judge you. How do you judge them?
Tip Three
Use metaphor and stories. We all experience life metaphorically. The most technical logical person spends at least two hours a night dreaming! Talk detail if necessary but present patterns with metaphors. Folk from 4 to 104 love stories. Use em.
Tip four
Captivate attention by using words that evoke all the senses. Describe how things look, sound, feel, smell and taste. Paint pictures and sensations in their minds with your words.
Tip Five
Vary your voice tonality and speed of delivery. Keep them alert and engaged. Convey energy when need be and slow down when you need to 'draw them in close.' You are the conductor to their orchestra. And pepper your talk with humour. Your willingness to be funny shows personal confidence and confidence is contagious.
Tip Six
Tell them what they are going to get. What they are currently getting and then what they have got from you. Sell your sizzle!
Tip Seven
Watch and learn from other great speakers until compelling, relaxed speaking is a part of you.
Rehearse positively. You need to rehearse how your going to feel as well as what you are going to present. Don't think about your forthcoming presentation whilst feeling nervous as this creates an instinctive association between fear and presenting. This natural negative self-hypnosis is very common with nervous speakers.
Hypnotically rehearse your speech whilst feeling relaxed. This produces the right 'blueprint' in your mind. In fact when you do this enough times it actually becomes hard to be nervous!
All great speakers know how to use great self-hypnotic rehearsal. Hypnosis changes attitudes and can bring emotion under control. I used hypnosis, to change my instincts around public speaking. Now I just can't get nervous whether it's 50 or 500 people. The world needs great communicators. Go for it!
Cure your fear of public speaking at HypnosisDownloads.com
Article by Mark Tyrrell of Hypnosis Downloads.com.
To calming your fears!
Fran Watson
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
100 Reasons To Join Toastmasters
WHEN YOU JOIN TOASTMASTERS
Over the next few weeks I will be sharing with you 100 reasons to join Toastmasters. You may have heard the name before. You may have read some articles in the paper. You may have heard people talk about it. But you are still not sure if Toastmasters is for you. Perhaps after you read these articles you will decide that it is indeed for you and for many of your friends. If so, please contact me and I will give you more information., or go to www.toastmasters.org to find a club near you.
To start out, let’s look at some of the growth you will experience with Toastmasters.
You will develop:
1. Public speaking skills – if you are in customer service in any capacity, you can benefit from learning to develop your public speaking skills. If you are an employer, you might want to encourage your staff to attend weekly meetings.
2. Presentation skills – have you ever been called upon at the last minute to give a presentation or a talk on something you’ve been working on, or something for a new client? Well, Toastmasters can help you think on your feet and be well organized so that this will become easy for you.
3. Communication skills – this involves more than just talking. It also involves shutting up. Communication is a two way conversation. Many people say, “I have no problem talking”, and those around them are well aware of that. These people may have a problem letting other people talk. How many times have you been at a meeting where the person is supposed to speak only for 5 minutes and 15 minutes later they are still at it? At Toastmasters you learn how to craft a speech within a specified time frame.
4. Listening skills – are an important part of communication. It is important to listen well enough so that you really “hear” what the other person is saying. At our weekly meetings the Quizmaster tests the listening skills of the group by asking questions about things that went on during the meeting.
5. Leadership skills – are developed as members take on roles such as Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, Timer, Quizmaster, General Evaluator and others. Each person takes control of the lectern for their role.
6. Evaluation techniques – it is important to learn how to correctly evaluate someone so that they learn about the things they need to improve while being recognized for the things that they already do well. If all they hear is criticism, they don’t feel very good about themselves. Toastmasters teaches the “sandwich technique” for evaluations. Come to a meeting and find out more.
7. Vocal variety – helps keep your conversations lively and worth listening to. Have you ever listened to a boring lecture where the person just drones on and on with no variety or depth to their voice? It’s enough to put you to sleep. You will learn how to effectively use your voice for the highs and lows to keep people’s attention.
8. Effective non-verbal communication – your body often speaks louder than your actual words and people “read” what you are saying by the way you say it. You can learn how to use gestures and eye contact to keep the audience watching and listening.
9. Research techniques are developed as you prepare for your roles. If you are providing the word of the week, you will research the word to find out where it came from and what it means. If you are giving the Toast, you may want to look up more information on the weekly theme. If you are giving an Educational Tip, you will want to research your topic and prepare.
I hope this article has intrigued you and that you will consider joining us.
Toastmasters is an international non-profit club run by volunteers to improve our public speaking ability by speaking regularly in a supportive environment with a solid program and helpful feedback. Anyone over 18 who is interested in public speaking can join. Clubs have a great mix of experienced and beginning speakers, young and old. We believe that a diverse club offers the best learning opportunities. There are also opportunities for youth programs.
Find out more at www.toastmasters.org
Fran Watson
District 61 PRO
Over the next few weeks I will be sharing with you 100 reasons to join Toastmasters. You may have heard the name before. You may have read some articles in the paper. You may have heard people talk about it. But you are still not sure if Toastmasters is for you. Perhaps after you read these articles you will decide that it is indeed for you and for many of your friends. If so, please contact me and I will give you more information., or go to www.toastmasters.org to find a club near you.
To start out, let’s look at some of the growth you will experience with Toastmasters.
You will develop:
1. Public speaking skills – if you are in customer service in any capacity, you can benefit from learning to develop your public speaking skills. If you are an employer, you might want to encourage your staff to attend weekly meetings.
2. Presentation skills – have you ever been called upon at the last minute to give a presentation or a talk on something you’ve been working on, or something for a new client? Well, Toastmasters can help you think on your feet and be well organized so that this will become easy for you.
3. Communication skills – this involves more than just talking. It also involves shutting up. Communication is a two way conversation. Many people say, “I have no problem talking”, and those around them are well aware of that. These people may have a problem letting other people talk. How many times have you been at a meeting where the person is supposed to speak only for 5 minutes and 15 minutes later they are still at it? At Toastmasters you learn how to craft a speech within a specified time frame.
4. Listening skills – are an important part of communication. It is important to listen well enough so that you really “hear” what the other person is saying. At our weekly meetings the Quizmaster tests the listening skills of the group by asking questions about things that went on during the meeting.
5. Leadership skills – are developed as members take on roles such as Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, Timer, Quizmaster, General Evaluator and others. Each person takes control of the lectern for their role.
6. Evaluation techniques – it is important to learn how to correctly evaluate someone so that they learn about the things they need to improve while being recognized for the things that they already do well. If all they hear is criticism, they don’t feel very good about themselves. Toastmasters teaches the “sandwich technique” for evaluations. Come to a meeting and find out more.
7. Vocal variety – helps keep your conversations lively and worth listening to. Have you ever listened to a boring lecture where the person just drones on and on with no variety or depth to their voice? It’s enough to put you to sleep. You will learn how to effectively use your voice for the highs and lows to keep people’s attention.
8. Effective non-verbal communication – your body often speaks louder than your actual words and people “read” what you are saying by the way you say it. You can learn how to use gestures and eye contact to keep the audience watching and listening.
9. Research techniques are developed as you prepare for your roles. If you are providing the word of the week, you will research the word to find out where it came from and what it means. If you are giving the Toast, you may want to look up more information on the weekly theme. If you are giving an Educational Tip, you will want to research your topic and prepare.
I hope this article has intrigued you and that you will consider joining us.
Toastmasters is an international non-profit club run by volunteers to improve our public speaking ability by speaking regularly in a supportive environment with a solid program and helpful feedback. Anyone over 18 who is interested in public speaking can join. Clubs have a great mix of experienced and beginning speakers, young and old. We believe that a diverse club offers the best learning opportunities. There are also opportunities for youth programs.
Find out more at www.toastmasters.org
Fran Watson
District 61 PRO
Monday, September 12, 2011
Speaking About Time or Timing Your Speaking
Have you ever thought about the relationship between time and public speaking?
I just read this really neat blog by Andrew Dlugan of SixMinutes
"On the surface, you engage your audience second by second, stringing together words into sentences that, over the duration of your presentation, may last minutes or perhaps hours.
Yet, the impact of your speaking experiences may last days, weeks, months, or even years — for you and for those in your audiences.
In this article, we examine time scales ranging from a tenth of a second to hundreds of years, and consider how each of these scales is relevant to you as a speaker."
read more
I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.
Fran Watson
P.S. For help with your public speaking, consider Toastmasters. Find a Club near you...Click here
P.P.S. Check out this article on Public Speaking
I just read this really neat blog by Andrew Dlugan of SixMinutes
"On the surface, you engage your audience second by second, stringing together words into sentences that, over the duration of your presentation, may last minutes or perhaps hours.
Yet, the impact of your speaking experiences may last days, weeks, months, or even years — for you and for those in your audiences.
In this article, we examine time scales ranging from a tenth of a second to hundreds of years, and consider how each of these scales is relevant to you as a speaker."
read more
I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.
Fran Watson
P.S. For help with your public speaking, consider Toastmasters. Find a Club near you...Click here
P.P.S. Check out this article on Public Speaking
Develop Leadership and Communication Skills with Toastmasters
How to Become an Ideal Leader
When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.
Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.
Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.
You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.
First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.
Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be.
Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization.
Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.
Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.
Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.
Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.
It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.
You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.
Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.
Toastmasters International is a not-for-profit organization designed to help you grow your communication and leadership skills during weekly meetings. Each meeting you have an opportunity to take on a role such as Chair, Toast, Word, Joke or Story, Table Topics Master, Education Tip, Speaker or Evaluator. Each week you learn more about the various roles and how to improve your speaking and presentation skills. Each week you receive feedback from other members of your club on how you performed your roles and how to enhance your communication skills.
Communication and leadership skills are vital if you want to improve your lifestyle and your employment opportunities. Check out a Toastmasters Club near you today. You can find one by going to http://www.toastmasters.org
To aspiring leaders everywhere!!
Fran Watson
District 61 PRO (Public Relations Officer)
http://www.toastmastersdistrict61.org
When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.
Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.
Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.
You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.
First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.
Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be.
Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization.
Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.
Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.
Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.
Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.
It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.
You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.
Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.
Toastmasters International is a not-for-profit organization designed to help you grow your communication and leadership skills during weekly meetings. Each meeting you have an opportunity to take on a role such as Chair, Toast, Word, Joke or Story, Table Topics Master, Education Tip, Speaker or Evaluator. Each week you learn more about the various roles and how to improve your speaking and presentation skills. Each week you receive feedback from other members of your club on how you performed your roles and how to enhance your communication skills.
Communication and leadership skills are vital if you want to improve your lifestyle and your employment opportunities. Check out a Toastmasters Club near you today. You can find one by going to http://www.toastmasters.org
To aspiring leaders everywhere!!
Fran Watson
District 61 PRO (Public Relations Officer)
http://www.toastmastersdistrict61.org
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Make Public Speaking An Enjoyable Experience
For most people, giving a presentation—whether something formal to the board or something casual to a community group—is a stressful experience. And as we all know, too much stress can contribute to health problems and impede a person’s ability to live a robust life. The American Institute of Stress reports that some surveys show 75 to 90 percent of visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints. And according to the National Women’s Health Information Center, the effects of stress on women’s physical and emotional health can range from headaches to irritable bowel syndrome. Fortunately, there is a way to make public speaking less stressful and something you actually look forward to.
Making public speaking enjoyable comes down to being in control of yourself and your environment. The more control you feel you have, the less stress you’ll experience in any situation. Granted, there are always some things you can’t control, like the weather, but there are key things you do have a say on. Here are the top four for presenters.
read more
To your success in public speaking
Fran Watson, DTM
District 61 PRO
Making public speaking enjoyable comes down to being in control of yourself and your environment. The more control you feel you have, the less stress you’ll experience in any situation. Granted, there are always some things you can’t control, like the weather, but there are key things you do have a say on. Here are the top four for presenters.
read more
To your success in public speaking
Fran Watson, DTM
District 61 PRO
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Effective Communication
Make it Understandable
If your audience doesn’t understand you, they can’t be persuaded by you. To be an effective communicator, you’ve first got to be a clear communicator. To be a clear communicator, you must use words, phrases, examples, and visuals that are understandable, and you’ve got to deliver them at a pace that the audience can absorb.
How can you do this? Let us count some ways… Read more
I enjoy searching the internet to find valuable resources for public speakers. I hope that you find this information useful and I would appreciate any comments you might have.
To your success in public speaking.
Fran Watson, DTM
Toastmasters
District 61 PRO
If your audience doesn’t understand you, they can’t be persuaded by you. To be an effective communicator, you’ve first got to be a clear communicator. To be a clear communicator, you must use words, phrases, examples, and visuals that are understandable, and you’ve got to deliver them at a pace that the audience can absorb.
How can you do this? Let us count some ways… Read more
I enjoy searching the internet to find valuable resources for public speakers. I hope that you find this information useful and I would appreciate any comments you might have.
To your success in public speaking.
Fran Watson, DTM
Toastmasters
District 61 PRO
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Social Media and Public Speaking
Use the Web to expand your Toastmasters journey.
By John Zimmer
During a 1996 speech on the Internet, then-U.S. President Bill Clinton famously remarked, “When I took office, only high-energy physicists had ever heard of … the Worldwide Web. … Now even my cat has its own page.”
Now the Internet is an omnipresent and indispensable feature in the lives of millions. Used wisely, it can enhance our public-speaking skills and our Toastmasters experience.
Read more
By John Zimmer
During a 1996 speech on the Internet, then-U.S. President Bill Clinton famously remarked, “When I took office, only high-energy physicists had ever heard of … the Worldwide Web. … Now even my cat has its own page.”
Now the Internet is an omnipresent and indispensable feature in the lives of millions. Used wisely, it can enhance our public-speaking skills and our Toastmasters experience.
Read more
Funny You Should Ask - Humourous Speeches
When John Zimmer of Geneva, Switzerland, gave his speech last November, he donned a pair of black shades and broke out a nimble Arnold Schwarzenegger accent. Not only that, but The Terminator’s timing was spot-on.
The occasion was a Humorous Speech Contest, an event that Toastmasters International presents every year. The competition is held at various Toastmasters venues throughout the world, and it produces loads of laughter and fun for everyone involved.
Read more
The occasion was a Humorous Speech Contest, an event that Toastmasters International presents every year. The competition is held at various Toastmasters venues throughout the world, and it produces loads of laughter and fun for everyone involved.
Read more
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Get Their Attention With Your Speech Topic
First, if you are looking for a persuasive speech topic, you must know that the more controversial the speech topics, are the more response you will get from your audiences.
The topic sentence has to be short, declarative sentence that states the central idea of your speech. Your persuasion speech topics should zero in on one main idea rather than focusing on entirely different areas.
If you are looking for science related speech topics, there's plenty of those in the science forums. It is relatively easy to join forums. A visual presentation is sure to bring your informative speech topics to a whole new level of interest.
Choosing a persuasive speech topic for your presentation is not an easy task. Introduce the topic with a statement of fact and support that statement with the main points of your speech. Write a purpose statement by stating the goal and topic for a speech and specifying the method to be used in developing the speech. This means you will have to research your topic and work your sources into your speech and outline.
The more controversial your persuasive speech topic, the harder challenge your creating for yourself, and the more you'll learn. Interest the listeners in the topic, purpose, and issues of the speech. Developing a topic and identifying the purpose of a speech will aid in the organization and direction of the overall performance. You will get enthusiastic applause...perhaps even a standing ovation, every time you speak if you develop informative speech topics which are slightly controversial in nature!
If you should emphasize both the positive and negative characteristics of your topic in order to provide a well-balanced speech, you will definitely make your speech more interesting! So, the idea here is to first pick a topic and then list down the positive and negative characteristics of your topic. It will stimulate your mind in more ways than you can imagine, and could easily spawn dozens of speech topic ideas.
Happy speaking!
Fran
P.S. For a list of more than 800 speech topics and to sign up for my public speaking newsletter, click here: http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html
The topic sentence has to be short, declarative sentence that states the central idea of your speech. Your persuasion speech topics should zero in on one main idea rather than focusing on entirely different areas.
If you are looking for science related speech topics, there's plenty of those in the science forums. It is relatively easy to join forums. A visual presentation is sure to bring your informative speech topics to a whole new level of interest.
Choosing a persuasive speech topic for your presentation is not an easy task. Introduce the topic with a statement of fact and support that statement with the main points of your speech. Write a purpose statement by stating the goal and topic for a speech and specifying the method to be used in developing the speech. This means you will have to research your topic and work your sources into your speech and outline.
The more controversial your persuasive speech topic, the harder challenge your creating for yourself, and the more you'll learn. Interest the listeners in the topic, purpose, and issues of the speech. Developing a topic and identifying the purpose of a speech will aid in the organization and direction of the overall performance. You will get enthusiastic applause...perhaps even a standing ovation, every time you speak if you develop informative speech topics which are slightly controversial in nature!
If you should emphasize both the positive and negative characteristics of your topic in order to provide a well-balanced speech, you will definitely make your speech more interesting! So, the idea here is to first pick a topic and then list down the positive and negative characteristics of your topic. It will stimulate your mind in more ways than you can imagine, and could easily spawn dozens of speech topic ideas.
Happy speaking!
Fran
P.S. For a list of more than 800 speech topics and to sign up for my public speaking newsletter, click here: http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Fran Watson
District PRO
Toastmasters
http://www.toastmasters.org/
http://www.toastmastersdisctrict61.org/
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Where Do We Find Stories for our Speeches?
WHERE DO WE FIND STORIES?
by J.A. Gamache
Third place Champion at the 2001 Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking
There are many tools you can use to illustrate a speech. You could show an image, quote a statistic or even develop an analogy. However, telling a story is my favourite technique for getting a message across to an audience. A story can have different forms. Here are a few:
- A lesson you learned from observing your child;
- An adventure read in a book and why it was important to you;
- A fairy tale and its application to your everyday life;
- An anecdote from a biography and how it helped you;
- A newspaper article and the action you took after reading it;
- A movie scene and the link you make with your own life;
- A television show and the reaction of a family member;
- A question and answer period at a press conference and what you thought of it;
- A childhood memory and the way it influences you today;
- A fable and the context in which that story was told to you;
- A historical fact and the effect it had on the life of one of your family members;
- Your pet's reaction to something and the way it reminds you of your own behaviour;
- A personal anecdote or one about an acquaintance that made you see life differently;
- The way your parents or ancestors lived and why you do or don't want to follow their example;
- A humorous adventure that you make up to illustrate an actual situation;
- The psychological traits you or someone you know may have in common with a cartoon character;
- A joke with a basis of truth;
- A telephone call that brought changes to your life;
- A good or bad surprise and its consequences.
Have you noticed that each type of story I just mentioned has a link to you? In order for a story to be efficient, it's always better to establish a direct link between the story and the message YOU want to put across. Otherwise, the audience might not understand why you're using the story.
This list is incomplete because stories can be found everywhere. I hope that it gives you an incentive to find
stories where you might not have thought to look before.
Happy speech!
©MMIX J.A. Gamache www.jagamache.com. All rights reserved.
---------------------------------
PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO REPRODUCE THIS ARTICLE in whole or in part if a copy of the reproduced text is sent to J.A. Gamache at info@jagamache.com after publication and also provided that this byline, including the following paragraph, appears along with the reproduced text:
This article was reproduced from "Speaking in Public with J.A.", a FREE electronic magazine authored by J.A. Gamache, International Inspirational Speaker. To subscribe to his FREE e-zine or to find out more about his presentations, visit: http://www.jagamache.com/.
---------------------------------
J.A. Gamache is Toastmasters District 61 (http://www.tm61.org/) representative to the 2011 World Championship of Public Speaking. Check back next week to see how he did, or go to http://www.toastmasters.org/ on Monday to see all the final results.
Hope you found these tips helpful on your journey to become a better communicator.
Fran Watson
District 61 PRO (Public Relations Officer)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tips on Humour in Public Speaking
Irwin Barker died in June 2010, but his legend lives on via YouTube. I hope you enjoy some of these videos and learn some tips on public speaking.
Fran Watson
District 61 PRO
http://www.tm61.org/
Fran Watson
District 61 PRO
http://www.tm61.org/
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Toastmasters helps build Leaders
http://youtu.be/qovsP1aaEQY
Wish you were funnier? Are you a Toastmaster? Do you want to give a humorous speech? Do you want to add humor to a serious speech or presentation? Watch the way Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking, Darren LaCroix. Why do people think public speaking is supposed to be boring? Humor and humorous speeches get listened to. Make people laugh, learn to add humor to your presentation for a great humor coach. Want more humor in your speech?
Follow Darren LaCroix, Toastmasters World Champion:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/StageTime
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/darrenlacroix
Linked in - http://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenlacroix
I hope you enjoyed this. Check here for a local Toastmasters Club - http://www.toastmasters.org/
Fran Watson
Friday, July 29, 2011
Speaking From The Pulpit
Pulpit Presenters: 12 Speaking Lessons from the Clergy
by Ed Tate (see biography below)
“Daddy are you going to church to hear the word of God or to take speaker notes from the preacher?” That question was asked of me many years ago by my young son while on our way to church. The one word answer I gave to my son was “Yes.” I was there to hear the word of God AND observe the speaking secrets of my preacher.
It has been said that if you want to quickly upset a room full of people, talk about politics or religion. Relax. There will be no ideological debates in this lesson.
If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best. And some of the best orators speak from behind a pulpit rather than a podium. They speak to congregations rather than an audience. And their followers number in the millions worldwide.
In the United States, Billy Graham, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, and Joel Osteen are among the most popular pulpit speakers. What is it that he or she does from the pulpit that captivates the congregation and drives their sermon home?
I’ve identified 12 lessons:
Lesson #1: They use tools to help the audience understand the message. The tools in their toolbox are analogies, metaphors, stories, and parables. They seldom use facts, data, statistics, or PowerPoint presentations to get the message across. For example, Joel Osteen is pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. According to Forbes Magazine, it has largest and fastest-growing congregation in America. Joel uses two tools to make his point to his very large congregation: the story and metaphor. This story is called “Be a Thermostat.” You can find a copy of it on his website, joelosteen.com.
Not long ago I called to order a pizza. I had called this restaurant dozens of times before. When you call, the first thing they always ask for is your telephone number. Since I was so familiar with the routine, when a young lady answered the phone and, I answered very friendly and politely said, “Hello. My phone number is (713)…” and I gave her the rest of my number.
When I did that, you would have thought I had just totally insulted her. She practically screamed in my ear in the rudest voice you can imagine, “Sir! I am not ready for your phone number. And when I get ready, I will ask you for your phone number!” I wanted to say, “Lady, I will give you my phone number whenever I feel like giving you my phone number! But down in my spirit, I didn’t want to hear it, I could hear that still, small voice coming up inside saying, “Joel, be a thermostat, not a thermometer. You may have walked into a room that’s 200 degrees, but you have the controls. You can bring it down.
But I realized she didn’t have anything against me. She was just having a bad day. Something was irritating her. So I decided I was going to do everything I could to cheer her up. I started thinking of everything I could possibly compliment her on. And God knows I had to use my imagination! I said, “Ma’am, I just want to thank you for answering that phone so quickly and taking such good care of me. You guys make the best pizzas in the world. Your delivery is always on time. You run such a great organization.” On and on I went telling her all these compliments. Do you know by the time I got finished, she was throwing in hot wings and Dr. Pepper and coupons for more pizza? I had won her over. What happened? I became a thermostat instead of a thermometer.
A thermostat changes the environment by bringing the temperature up or down. Through God’s self-control and wisdom, you can do the same in situations and in the lives of others around you.
Joel Osteen used a story and a metaphor to teach us the lesson that we have a choice in controlling our temperature and our temper.
Lesson #2: Pulpit presenters use universal themes. That is, a message or lesson that practically everyone can relate to and understand. Universal themes transcend generations, gender, creed, race, or religion. These themes include but are not limited to massages of hope, relationships, finances, friends, family, faith, health, forgiveness, culture, and truth—just to name a few. For example, on my website, edtate.com, there is a story entitled “Three Questions.” It is a story about telling the truth. Several years ago, I told this story to a 100% Jewish audience. Two days and several continents later, I told this same story to a 100% Muslim audience. Their reactions were identical. Both audiences related to the universal messages: (1) it was a story about being a parent, and (2) that there is no relationship without trust.
Lesson #3: They take a concept and convert it into the concrete. In other words, they make their messages visual. Teacher and author Joyce Meyer does an exceptional job of this in her message entitled “It’s Time to Unpack your Baggage.” On the stage there is a large pile suitcases. Five feet tall. Ten feet wide. Each suitcase has a label as big as the suitcase: guilt, anger, fear, unforgiveness, and rejection. She grabs a few of the suitcases and walks back and forth on the stage to illustrate the point: we carry too much baggage a daily basis and how it weights us down. Her point is we need unpack our burden baggage on purpose and let it go. Joyce made the concepts—forgiveness and letting go—visual and concrete.
Lesson #4: Use humor. Joel Osteen, begins each sermon with a clean joke. He uses self-deprecating humor and occasionally will make fun of his brother. Pulpit presenters know how to deliver a punch line. This helps to break down walls and connects with the audience.
The next 8 tips are from Kirk Waller a minister from San Francisco, California.
Pulpit presenters have Passion – they care about what they say and whom they are saying it to. They start talking to me first. This lets me know that they care.
Simplicity – They simplify the message without dumbing it down. Again, tools such as stories, analogies, metaphors, and humor help people to connect and get the message.
Short – Typically their message is short: 30 minutes or less. And the stories and parables they use within their message is also short (typically under 2 minutes).
Connection – You feel as if they are speaking just to you. Usually they are. Again, one way they achieve this is by using universal themes.
Confidence – They never seem to be nervous. Confidence emanates from them. Joel Osteen spends all day on Wednesday and Thursday preparing this Sunday message.
Pace – They start off slow. I have taught many students “break preoccupation.” Begin with a bang. Many ministers start slow and end with a crescendo. According to Kirk Waller, “You begin low, continue slow, rise up higher, catch on fire, and sit down in the storm.”
Intensity – they vary their intensity from high to low, hard to soft. Toastmasters, call it vocal variety.
Decision – Pulpit presenters have a specific call to action for every message. They want you to take action with the message you have received.
Bonus Lesson: Stick the landing. They bring the message home, make the sale. Tie it all together and sit down in the storm. You leave them wanting more. Or as Craig Valentine says “Leave them on the edge of their seats.”
Ed Tate
About Ed Tate
Established in 1998, Ed Tate & Associates, LLC, provides speaking, sales and leadership training and motivation to individuals and businesses, including executives, Fortune 500 companies, sales teams and entrepreneurs, throughout the United States and globally.
Led by Ed Tate, an internationally known and respected speaker, trainer, author, business executive and motivator, Ed Tate & Associates is dedicated to raising the bar on the goals, results and overall success of all of its clients and audience members.
I hope you find this helpful in your public speaking career
Fran
by Ed Tate (see biography below)
“Daddy are you going to church to hear the word of God or to take speaker notes from the preacher?” That question was asked of me many years ago by my young son while on our way to church. The one word answer I gave to my son was “Yes.” I was there to hear the word of God AND observe the speaking secrets of my preacher.
It has been said that if you want to quickly upset a room full of people, talk about politics or religion. Relax. There will be no ideological debates in this lesson.
If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best. And some of the best orators speak from behind a pulpit rather than a podium. They speak to congregations rather than an audience. And their followers number in the millions worldwide.
In the United States, Billy Graham, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, and Joel Osteen are among the most popular pulpit speakers. What is it that he or she does from the pulpit that captivates the congregation and drives their sermon home?
I’ve identified 12 lessons:
Lesson #1: They use tools to help the audience understand the message. The tools in their toolbox are analogies, metaphors, stories, and parables. They seldom use facts, data, statistics, or PowerPoint presentations to get the message across. For example, Joel Osteen is pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. According to Forbes Magazine, it has largest and fastest-growing congregation in America. Joel uses two tools to make his point to his very large congregation: the story and metaphor. This story is called “Be a Thermostat.” You can find a copy of it on his website, joelosteen.com.
Not long ago I called to order a pizza. I had called this restaurant dozens of times before. When you call, the first thing they always ask for is your telephone number. Since I was so familiar with the routine, when a young lady answered the phone and, I answered very friendly and politely said, “Hello. My phone number is (713)…” and I gave her the rest of my number.
When I did that, you would have thought I had just totally insulted her. She practically screamed in my ear in the rudest voice you can imagine, “Sir! I am not ready for your phone number. And when I get ready, I will ask you for your phone number!” I wanted to say, “Lady, I will give you my phone number whenever I feel like giving you my phone number! But down in my spirit, I didn’t want to hear it, I could hear that still, small voice coming up inside saying, “Joel, be a thermostat, not a thermometer. You may have walked into a room that’s 200 degrees, but you have the controls. You can bring it down.
But I realized she didn’t have anything against me. She was just having a bad day. Something was irritating her. So I decided I was going to do everything I could to cheer her up. I started thinking of everything I could possibly compliment her on. And God knows I had to use my imagination! I said, “Ma’am, I just want to thank you for answering that phone so quickly and taking such good care of me. You guys make the best pizzas in the world. Your delivery is always on time. You run such a great organization.” On and on I went telling her all these compliments. Do you know by the time I got finished, she was throwing in hot wings and Dr. Pepper and coupons for more pizza? I had won her over. What happened? I became a thermostat instead of a thermometer.
A thermostat changes the environment by bringing the temperature up or down. Through God’s self-control and wisdom, you can do the same in situations and in the lives of others around you.
Joel Osteen used a story and a metaphor to teach us the lesson that we have a choice in controlling our temperature and our temper.
Lesson #2: Pulpit presenters use universal themes. That is, a message or lesson that practically everyone can relate to and understand. Universal themes transcend generations, gender, creed, race, or religion. These themes include but are not limited to massages of hope, relationships, finances, friends, family, faith, health, forgiveness, culture, and truth—just to name a few. For example, on my website, edtate.com, there is a story entitled “Three Questions.” It is a story about telling the truth. Several years ago, I told this story to a 100% Jewish audience. Two days and several continents later, I told this same story to a 100% Muslim audience. Their reactions were identical. Both audiences related to the universal messages: (1) it was a story about being a parent, and (2) that there is no relationship without trust.
Lesson #3: They take a concept and convert it into the concrete. In other words, they make their messages visual. Teacher and author Joyce Meyer does an exceptional job of this in her message entitled “It’s Time to Unpack your Baggage.” On the stage there is a large pile suitcases. Five feet tall. Ten feet wide. Each suitcase has a label as big as the suitcase: guilt, anger, fear, unforgiveness, and rejection. She grabs a few of the suitcases and walks back and forth on the stage to illustrate the point: we carry too much baggage a daily basis and how it weights us down. Her point is we need unpack our burden baggage on purpose and let it go. Joyce made the concepts—forgiveness and letting go—visual and concrete.
Lesson #4: Use humor. Joel Osteen, begins each sermon with a clean joke. He uses self-deprecating humor and occasionally will make fun of his brother. Pulpit presenters know how to deliver a punch line. This helps to break down walls and connects with the audience.
The next 8 tips are from Kirk Waller a minister from San Francisco, California.
Pulpit presenters have Passion – they care about what they say and whom they are saying it to. They start talking to me first. This lets me know that they care.
Simplicity – They simplify the message without dumbing it down. Again, tools such as stories, analogies, metaphors, and humor help people to connect and get the message.
Short – Typically their message is short: 30 minutes or less. And the stories and parables they use within their message is also short (typically under 2 minutes).
Connection – You feel as if they are speaking just to you. Usually they are. Again, one way they achieve this is by using universal themes.
Confidence – They never seem to be nervous. Confidence emanates from them. Joel Osteen spends all day on Wednesday and Thursday preparing this Sunday message.
Pace – They start off slow. I have taught many students “break preoccupation.” Begin with a bang. Many ministers start slow and end with a crescendo. According to Kirk Waller, “You begin low, continue slow, rise up higher, catch on fire, and sit down in the storm.”
Intensity – they vary their intensity from high to low, hard to soft. Toastmasters, call it vocal variety.
Decision – Pulpit presenters have a specific call to action for every message. They want you to take action with the message you have received.
Bonus Lesson: Stick the landing. They bring the message home, make the sale. Tie it all together and sit down in the storm. You leave them wanting more. Or as Craig Valentine says “Leave them on the edge of their seats.”
Ed Tate
About Ed Tate
Established in 1998, Ed Tate & Associates, LLC, provides speaking, sales and leadership training and motivation to individuals and businesses, including executives, Fortune 500 companies, sales teams and entrepreneurs, throughout the United States and globally.
Led by Ed Tate, an internationally known and respected speaker, trainer, author, business executive and motivator, Ed Tate & Associates is dedicated to raising the bar on the goals, results and overall success of all of its clients and audience members.
I hope you find this helpful in your public speaking career
Fran
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
First Impressions
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
by J.A. Gamache Third place Champion at the 2001 Toastmasters
International World Championship of Public Speaking
Your walk, posture and facial expressions convey non-verbal
messages about your state of mind. Decide to send the right
messages so you can make a good first impression whenever you
speak in public.
As you walk to the podium, the audience receives many
non-verbal cues before you've even said a word. Their first
impression of you is based on that information.
First impressions are important because the audience won't
find your message credible unless they feel that you're in
control. If you don't project self-confidence, they will find
it hard to trust you. Unwittingly, you might be raising
doubts in their minds.
Is it a disaster to fail at making a good first impression?
No. You'll always be able to catch up. However, you'll have
to work harder to reassure the audience that in spite of
appearances, you are a trustworthy source of information.
Here are some tips on how to make an entrance that conveys
the impression that you're in control.
1- WALK
Look at self-confident people--they have a strong, rapid
stride. Decide to send the same message. When your name is
announced, walk as though you're saying, "I am confident,"
even though you feel like running away!
2- POSTURE
Stand straight and adopt a solid stance. Open your torso to
ease your breathing. This posture sends the message that
you're calm even though you're shaking with fear!
3- FACIAL EXPRESSION
Put a smile on your face! When you walk to the podium, hold
your head high. Before you speak, take a deep breath. It'll
calm you down. Don't speak right away! Take time to look at
the audience. This silent pause sends the message, "I am
happy to be here!" even though you may be wondering what on
earth you've gotten yourself into.
Practice your entrance at home. Pay attention to the way you
walk, your posture, and your facial expressions, and you'll
make a good first impression every time.
Happy speech!
©MMIX J.A. Gamache www.jagamache.com. All rights reserved.
--------------------------------
PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO REPRODUCE THIS ARTICLE in whole or
in part if a copy of the reproduced text is sent to J.A.
Gamache at info@jagamache.com after publication and also
provided that this byline, including the following paragraph,
appears along with the reproduced text:
This article was reproduced from "Speaking in Public with
J.A.", a FREE electronic magazine authored by J.A. Gamache,
International Inspirational Speaker. To subscribe to his FREE
e-zine or to find out more about his presentations, visit:
http://www.jagamache.com/.
I hope you enjoyed this tip
Fran Watson
P.S. Have a great day and check out this site
by J.A. Gamache Third place Champion at the 2001 Toastmasters
International World Championship of Public Speaking
Your walk, posture and facial expressions convey non-verbal
messages about your state of mind. Decide to send the right
messages so you can make a good first impression whenever you
speak in public.
As you walk to the podium, the audience receives many
non-verbal cues before you've even said a word. Their first
impression of you is based on that information.
First impressions are important because the audience won't
find your message credible unless they feel that you're in
control. If you don't project self-confidence, they will find
it hard to trust you. Unwittingly, you might be raising
doubts in their minds.
Is it a disaster to fail at making a good first impression?
No. You'll always be able to catch up. However, you'll have
to work harder to reassure the audience that in spite of
appearances, you are a trustworthy source of information.
Here are some tips on how to make an entrance that conveys
the impression that you're in control.
1- WALK
Look at self-confident people--they have a strong, rapid
stride. Decide to send the same message. When your name is
announced, walk as though you're saying, "I am confident,"
even though you feel like running away!
2- POSTURE
Stand straight and adopt a solid stance. Open your torso to
ease your breathing. This posture sends the message that
you're calm even though you're shaking with fear!
3- FACIAL EXPRESSION
Put a smile on your face! When you walk to the podium, hold
your head high. Before you speak, take a deep breath. It'll
calm you down. Don't speak right away! Take time to look at
the audience. This silent pause sends the message, "I am
happy to be here!" even though you may be wondering what on
earth you've gotten yourself into.
Practice your entrance at home. Pay attention to the way you
walk, your posture, and your facial expressions, and you'll
make a good first impression every time.
Happy speech!
©MMIX J.A. Gamache www.jagamache.com. All rights reserved.
--------------------------------
PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO REPRODUCE THIS ARTICLE in whole or
in part if a copy of the reproduced text is sent to J.A.
Gamache at info@jagamache.com after publication and also
provided that this byline, including the following paragraph,
appears along with the reproduced text:
This article was reproduced from "Speaking in Public with
J.A.", a FREE electronic magazine authored by J.A. Gamache,
International Inspirational Speaker. To subscribe to his FREE
e-zine or to find out more about his presentations, visit:
http://www.jagamache.com/.
I hope you enjoyed this tip
Fran Watson
P.S. Have a great day and check out this site
Monday, July 4, 2011
Speak and Deliver....
I found a blog you might be interested in checking out. http://speakanddeliver.blogspot.com/
Rich Hopkins is a fellow Toastmaster....
In case you aren't familiar with Toastmasters, you should check it out www.toastmasters.org
Build your vocabulary to improve your public speaking.
Form the Book-Note Habit: To possess a word involves three things: To know its special and broader meanings, to know its relation to other words, and to be able to use it. When you see or hear a familiar word used in an unfamiliar sense, jot it down, look it up, and master it.
Use a new word accurately five times and it is yours. Professor Albert E. Hancock says: "An author's vocabulary is of two kinds, latent and dynamic: latent—those words he understands; dynamic—those he can readily use. Every intelligent man knows all the words he needs, but he may not have them all ready for active service. "
Form the Reference-Book Habit: Do not be content with your general knowledge of a word—press your study until you have mastered its individual shades of meaning and usage. Mere fluency is sure to become despicable, but accuracy never. The dictionary contains the crystallized usage of intellectual giants. No one who would write effectively dare despise its definitions and discriminations. Think, for example, of the different meanings of mantle, or model, or quantity. Any late edition of an unabridged dictionary is good, and is worth making sacrifices to own.
The same brilliant Frenchman sent this sound advice to his pupil, Guy de Maupassant: "Whatever may be the thing which one wishes to say, there is but one word for expressing it, only one verb to animate it, only one adjective to qualify it. It is essential to search for this word, for this verb, for this adjective, until they are discovered, and to be satisfied with nothing else."
To improving your vocabulary and your speaking ability.
Fran
P.S. Check out this page
Rich Hopkins is a fellow Toastmaster....
In case you aren't familiar with Toastmasters, you should check it out www.toastmasters.org
Build your vocabulary to improve your public speaking.
Form the Book-Note Habit: To possess a word involves three things: To know its special and broader meanings, to know its relation to other words, and to be able to use it. When you see or hear a familiar word used in an unfamiliar sense, jot it down, look it up, and master it.
Use a new word accurately five times and it is yours. Professor Albert E. Hancock says: "An author's vocabulary is of two kinds, latent and dynamic: latent—those words he understands; dynamic—those he can readily use. Every intelligent man knows all the words he needs, but he may not have them all ready for active service. "
Form the Reference-Book Habit: Do not be content with your general knowledge of a word—press your study until you have mastered its individual shades of meaning and usage. Mere fluency is sure to become despicable, but accuracy never. The dictionary contains the crystallized usage of intellectual giants. No one who would write effectively dare despise its definitions and discriminations. Think, for example, of the different meanings of mantle, or model, or quantity. Any late edition of an unabridged dictionary is good, and is worth making sacrifices to own.
Word derivations are rich in suggestiveness. Our English owes so much to foreign tongues and has changed so much with the centuries that whole addresses may grow out of a single root-idea hidden away in an ancient word-origin. Translation, also, is excellent exercise in word-mastery and consorts well with the study of derivations.
Search Faithfully for the Right Word: Books of reference are tripled in value when their owner has a passion for getting the kernels out of their shells. Ten minutes a day will do wonders for the nut-cracker. "I am growing so peevish about my writing," says Flaubert. "I am like a man whose ear is true, but who plays falsely on the violin: his fingers refuse to reproduce precisely those sounds of which he has the inward sense. Then the tears come rolling down from the poor scraper's eyes and the bow falls from his hand."
The same brilliant Frenchman sent this sound advice to his pupil, Guy de Maupassant: "Whatever may be the thing which one wishes to say, there is but one word for expressing it, only one verb to animate it, only one adjective to qualify it. It is essential to search for this word, for this verb, for this adjective, until they are discovered, and to be satisfied with nothing else."
To improving your vocabulary and your speaking ability.
Fran
P.S. Check out this page
Monday, June 27, 2011
Become An Inspiring Speaker
https://dreamuniversity.infusionsoft.com/go/VisionaryGift/franwats/Everything You Need To Achieve Your Dreams
Message from Marcia:
"Over the years, many people have approached me after a keynote or at the end of my workshops and said, "I want to do what you do. I want to be a speaker." If this is your dream or you want to confidently deliver an inspiring message, read on. Whether you are a novice, intermediate, or even an advanced business presenter or professional speaker, you can benefit from this program."
•Hear secrets, shortcuts and the mistakes to avoid, saving yourself money and cutting years off your learning curve.
•Learn to design and deliver an inspiring message.
•Create your own authentic and confident "Presence & Persona".
•Develop a new relationship with your voice and essential skills to step into your power and build rapport.
•Practice using stories, spontaneity and humor.
•See how to market yourself to get booked.
•Learn about producing and selling Back of the Room (BOR) products – a huge income potential.
Check it out now
Fran
P.S. Go here to pick up a free gift
Message from Marcia:
"Over the years, many people have approached me after a keynote or at the end of my workshops and said, "I want to do what you do. I want to be a speaker." If this is your dream or you want to confidently deliver an inspiring message, read on. Whether you are a novice, intermediate, or even an advanced business presenter or professional speaker, you can benefit from this program."
•Hear secrets, shortcuts and the mistakes to avoid, saving yourself money and cutting years off your learning curve.
•Learn to design and deliver an inspiring message.
•Create your own authentic and confident "Presence & Persona".
•Develop a new relationship with your voice and essential skills to step into your power and build rapport.
•Practice using stories, spontaneity and humor.
•See how to market yourself to get booked.
•Learn about producing and selling Back of the Room (BOR) products – a huge income potential.
Check it out now
Fran
P.S. Go here to pick up a free gift
Monday, June 6, 2011
Humour in Public Speaking
Public Speaking - 7 Types of Humor You Can Use
In public speaking, the ability to use humor is an important skill to possess whatever your natural ability is. Most people like to smile, to laugh, or to enjoy a listening experience. Humor adds sparkle and interest to a speech. Humor when used should be good willed and not given in a manner to show how witty you are.
It is probably impossible to catalog humor completely. Here I have listed the 7 kinds of humor commonly used in public speaking.
Turn of Phrase
In this type of humor, you get the laugh by starting to make a serious point in one direction and suddenly an unexpected meaning is revealed. Mark Twain used this technique when he said that "youth is such a wonderful thing, it is shame to waste it on children."
The Pun
A word is used to evoke a serious meaning and then used in a completely different meaning altogether. The second meaning gives a whole new viewpoint to the speaker's remarks. To be funny the meaning should not be stretched too far or it will evoke groans rather than smiles. For example, the organiser of an event may ask a member of the audience if the guest speaker was an able speaker. The member of the audience may reply "Yes, the guest speaker was able. He was able to stand up all the way through his speech."
Exaggeration
This is where a small thing is made into a larger important issue. This is similar to the how a cartoonist will exaggerate the features of a politician for effect.
Understatement
This is the opposite of exaggeration, and words are used to underplay the importance of an event or issue.
Irony
Here, the face value meaning of the words is different to the intended meaning. An example is the phrase "as pleasant and relaxed as a coiled rattlesnake" used by Kurt Vonnegut in one of his books.
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is a cutting form of wit and should be used with care. To be funny the audience should not have much sympathy for the intended target. If they do it will not work in your favor.
Satire
Satire is an attack upon something worded in a way as to be pleasant but clear in its meaning. Will Rogers at a bankers convention asked "I have often wondered where the Depositor's hold their convention."
To be funny, the humor should be said in a spirit of fun. However, for best effect, humor should be unannounced and told with a straight face (you don't want to laugh before your audience does). It requires more practice and preparation than other parts of your speech. The humor will die if you fumble over words or stumble during the punch line. In public speaking, as it is with conversation, the telling of humor should be effortless and natural.
To be effective in public speaking the humor should be relevant to the points being made. It is woven into the fabric of the speech. With practice and preparation it is possible to employ the 7 types of humor listed, regardless of how dry and shy you maybe.
Author: Edward Hope ... Add interest to your your public speaking and conversation with "The Art of Great Conversation." To claim your free preview visit http://www.selfconfidentspeaking.com/
Keep them laughing
Fran Watson
http://www.franwatson.ca/PublicSpeaking/index2.html
In public speaking, the ability to use humor is an important skill to possess whatever your natural ability is. Most people like to smile, to laugh, or to enjoy a listening experience. Humor adds sparkle and interest to a speech. Humor when used should be good willed and not given in a manner to show how witty you are.
It is probably impossible to catalog humor completely. Here I have listed the 7 kinds of humor commonly used in public speaking.
Turn of Phrase
In this type of humor, you get the laugh by starting to make a serious point in one direction and suddenly an unexpected meaning is revealed. Mark Twain used this technique when he said that "youth is such a wonderful thing, it is shame to waste it on children."
The Pun
A word is used to evoke a serious meaning and then used in a completely different meaning altogether. The second meaning gives a whole new viewpoint to the speaker's remarks. To be funny the meaning should not be stretched too far or it will evoke groans rather than smiles. For example, the organiser of an event may ask a member of the audience if the guest speaker was an able speaker. The member of the audience may reply "Yes, the guest speaker was able. He was able to stand up all the way through his speech."
Exaggeration
This is where a small thing is made into a larger important issue. This is similar to the how a cartoonist will exaggerate the features of a politician for effect.
Understatement
This is the opposite of exaggeration, and words are used to underplay the importance of an event or issue.
Irony
Here, the face value meaning of the words is different to the intended meaning. An example is the phrase "as pleasant and relaxed as a coiled rattlesnake" used by Kurt Vonnegut in one of his books.
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is a cutting form of wit and should be used with care. To be funny the audience should not have much sympathy for the intended target. If they do it will not work in your favor.
Satire
Satire is an attack upon something worded in a way as to be pleasant but clear in its meaning. Will Rogers at a bankers convention asked "I have often wondered where the Depositor's hold their convention."
To be funny, the humor should be said in a spirit of fun. However, for best effect, humor should be unannounced and told with a straight face (you don't want to laugh before your audience does). It requires more practice and preparation than other parts of your speech. The humor will die if you fumble over words or stumble during the punch line. In public speaking, as it is with conversation, the telling of humor should be effortless and natural.
To be effective in public speaking the humor should be relevant to the points being made. It is woven into the fabric of the speech. With practice and preparation it is possible to employ the 7 types of humor listed, regardless of how dry and shy you maybe.
Author: Edward Hope ... Add interest to your your public speaking and conversation with "The Art of Great Conversation." To claim your free preview visit http://www.selfconfidentspeaking.com/
Keep them laughing
Fran Watson
http://www.franwatson.ca/PublicSpeaking/index2.html
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Leadership Tips
Leadership Exposed: Things You Thought You Knew About Leadership
Much has been written about leadership: rules, pointers, styles, and biographies of inspiring leaders throughout world history. But there are certain leadership ideas that we ourselves fail to recognize and realize in the course of reading books. Here is a short list of things you thought you knew about leadership.
1. Leaders come in different flavors.
There are different types of leaders and you will probably encounter more than one type in your lifetime. Formal leaders are those we elect into positions or offices such as the senators, congressmen, and presidents of the local clubs. Informal leaders or those we look up to by virtue of their wisdom and experience such as in the case of the elders of a tribe, or our grandparents; or by virtue of their expertise and contribution on a given field such as Albert Einstein in the field of Theoretical Physics and Leonardo da Vinci in the field of the Arts. Both formal and informal leaders practice a combination of leadership styles.
· Lewin’s three basic leadership styles – authoritative, participative, and delegative
· Likert’s four leadership styles – exploitive authoritative, benevolent authoritative, consultative, and participative
· Goleman’s six emotional leadership styles - visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, and commanding.
2. Leadership is a process of becoming.
Although certain people seem to be born with innate leadership qualities, without the right environment and exposure, they may fail to develop their full potential. So like learning how to ride a bicycle, you can also learn how to become a leader and hone your leadership abilities. Knowledge on leadership theories and skills may be formally gained by enrolling in leadership seminars, workshops, and conferences. Daily interactions with people provide the opportunity to observe and practice leadership theories. Together, formal and informal learning will help you gain leadership attitudes, gain leadership insights, and thus furthering the cycle of learning. You do not become a leader in one day and just stop. Life-long learning is important in becoming a good leader for each day brings new experiences that put your knowledge, skills, and attitude to a test.
3. Leadership starts with you.
The best way to develop leadership qualities is to apply it to your own life. As an adage goes “action speaks louder than words.” Leaders are always in the limelight. Keep in mind that your credibility as a leader depends much on your actions: your interaction with your family, friends, and co-workers; your way of managing your personal and organizational responsibilities; and even the way you talk with the newspaper vendor across the street. Repeated actions become habits. Habits in turn form a person’s character. Steven Covey’s book entitled 7 Habits of Highly Effective People provides good insights on how you can achieve personal leadership.
4. Leadership is shared.
Leadership is not the sole responsibility of one person, but rather a shared responsibility among members of an emerging team. A leader belongs to a group. Each member has responsibilities to fulfill. Formal leadership positions are merely added responsibilities aside from their responsibilities as members of the team. Effective leadership requires members to do their share of work. Starting as a mere group of individuals, members and leaders work towards the formation of an effective team. In this light, social interaction plays a major role in leadership. To learn how to work together requires a great deal of trust between and among leaders and members of an emerging team. Trust is built upon actions and not merely on words. When mutual respect exists, trust is fostered and confidence is built.
5. Leadership styles depend on the situation.
How come dictatorship works for Singapore but not in the United States of America? Aside from culture, beliefs, value system, and form of government, the current situation of a nation also affects the leadership styles used by its formal leaders. There is no rule that only one style can be used. Most of the time, leaders employ a combination of leadership styles depending on the situation. In emergency situations such as periods of war and calamity, decision-making is a matter of life and death. Thus, a nation’s leader cannot afford to consult with all departments to arrive at crucial decisions. The case is of course different in times of peace and order---different sectors and other branches of government can freely interact and participate in governance. Another case in point is in leading organizations. When the staffs are highly motivated and competent, a combination of high delegative and moderate participative styles of leadership is most appropriate. But if the staffs have low competence and low commitment, a combination of high coaching, high supporting, and high directing behavior from organizational leaders is required.
Now that you are reminded of these things, keep in mind that there are always ideas that we think we already know; concepts we take for granted, but are actually the most useful insights on leadership.
Lead on.....
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html
Much has been written about leadership: rules, pointers, styles, and biographies of inspiring leaders throughout world history. But there are certain leadership ideas that we ourselves fail to recognize and realize in the course of reading books. Here is a short list of things you thought you knew about leadership.
1. Leaders come in different flavors.
There are different types of leaders and you will probably encounter more than one type in your lifetime. Formal leaders are those we elect into positions or offices such as the senators, congressmen, and presidents of the local clubs. Informal leaders or those we look up to by virtue of their wisdom and experience such as in the case of the elders of a tribe, or our grandparents; or by virtue of their expertise and contribution on a given field such as Albert Einstein in the field of Theoretical Physics and Leonardo da Vinci in the field of the Arts. Both formal and informal leaders practice a combination of leadership styles.
· Lewin’s three basic leadership styles – authoritative, participative, and delegative
· Likert’s four leadership styles – exploitive authoritative, benevolent authoritative, consultative, and participative
· Goleman’s six emotional leadership styles - visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, and commanding.
2. Leadership is a process of becoming.
Although certain people seem to be born with innate leadership qualities, without the right environment and exposure, they may fail to develop their full potential. So like learning how to ride a bicycle, you can also learn how to become a leader and hone your leadership abilities. Knowledge on leadership theories and skills may be formally gained by enrolling in leadership seminars, workshops, and conferences. Daily interactions with people provide the opportunity to observe and practice leadership theories. Together, formal and informal learning will help you gain leadership attitudes, gain leadership insights, and thus furthering the cycle of learning. You do not become a leader in one day and just stop. Life-long learning is important in becoming a good leader for each day brings new experiences that put your knowledge, skills, and attitude to a test.
3. Leadership starts with you.
The best way to develop leadership qualities is to apply it to your own life. As an adage goes “action speaks louder than words.” Leaders are always in the limelight. Keep in mind that your credibility as a leader depends much on your actions: your interaction with your family, friends, and co-workers; your way of managing your personal and organizational responsibilities; and even the way you talk with the newspaper vendor across the street. Repeated actions become habits. Habits in turn form a person’s character. Steven Covey’s book entitled 7 Habits of Highly Effective People provides good insights on how you can achieve personal leadership.
4. Leadership is shared.
Leadership is not the sole responsibility of one person, but rather a shared responsibility among members of an emerging team. A leader belongs to a group. Each member has responsibilities to fulfill. Formal leadership positions are merely added responsibilities aside from their responsibilities as members of the team. Effective leadership requires members to do their share of work. Starting as a mere group of individuals, members and leaders work towards the formation of an effective team. In this light, social interaction plays a major role in leadership. To learn how to work together requires a great deal of trust between and among leaders and members of an emerging team. Trust is built upon actions and not merely on words. When mutual respect exists, trust is fostered and confidence is built.
5. Leadership styles depend on the situation.
How come dictatorship works for Singapore but not in the United States of America? Aside from culture, beliefs, value system, and form of government, the current situation of a nation also affects the leadership styles used by its formal leaders. There is no rule that only one style can be used. Most of the time, leaders employ a combination of leadership styles depending on the situation. In emergency situations such as periods of war and calamity, decision-making is a matter of life and death. Thus, a nation’s leader cannot afford to consult with all departments to arrive at crucial decisions. The case is of course different in times of peace and order---different sectors and other branches of government can freely interact and participate in governance. Another case in point is in leading organizations. When the staffs are highly motivated and competent, a combination of high delegative and moderate participative styles of leadership is most appropriate. But if the staffs have low competence and low commitment, a combination of high coaching, high supporting, and high directing behavior from organizational leaders is required.
Now that you are reminded of these things, keep in mind that there are always ideas that we think we already know; concepts we take for granted, but are actually the most useful insights on leadership.
Lead on.....
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Speaker Videos
Check these out. These are the winning videos from a recent contest.
THE WINNER OF THE BEST SPEAKER
VIDEO CONTEST IS:
JOHN YOUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfbDgKHFfs0
What the judges appreciated about John's video: great energy, solid content, unique, relevant, high production quality, positions as an expert.
Congratulations John!
RUNNERS UP ARE:
Simon Bailey (commands the stage brilliantly)
http://www.youtube.com/brilliance777#p/a/u/0/veREsqHhUHg
Bill Stainton (Fun, unique, great energy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdUdKjzX2NY
Steve Shapiro (pulls us in)
http://www.vimeo.com/15265556
Michelle Ray (energy, audience engagement)
http://www.michelleray.com/demo.html
Kris Belcher (great funny stories, she's real)
http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=n7UqrBYt4QY
Congratulations Runner's Up!
And special thanks goes out to the panel: Joe Calloway and Robin Creasman, for their wisdom and expertise!
And, if you wonder why your video wasn't selected, this post called "Video: You Might Lose Me If"
might help. http://ow.ly/36WMI
See you soon Wealthy Speakers!
Comments? Post to my blog
http://www.speakerlauncher.com/blog/
Hope you enjoy these
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html
THE WINNER OF THE BEST SPEAKER
VIDEO CONTEST IS:
JOHN YOUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfbDgKHFfs0
What the judges appreciated about John's video: great energy, solid content, unique, relevant, high production quality, positions as an expert.
Congratulations John!
RUNNERS UP ARE:
Simon Bailey (commands the stage brilliantly)
http://www.youtube.com/brilliance777#p/a/u/0/veREsqHhUHg
Bill Stainton (Fun, unique, great energy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdUdKjzX2NY
Steve Shapiro (pulls us in)
http://www.vimeo.com/15265556
Michelle Ray (energy, audience engagement)
http://www.michelleray.com/demo.html
Kris Belcher (great funny stories, she's real)
http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=n7UqrBYt4QY
Congratulations Runner's Up!
And special thanks goes out to the panel: Joe Calloway and Robin Creasman, for their wisdom and expertise!
And, if you wonder why your video wasn't selected, this post called "Video: You Might Lose Me If"
might help. http://ow.ly/36WMI
See you soon Wealthy Speakers!
Comments? Post to my blog
http://www.speakerlauncher.com/blog/
Hope you enjoy these
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html
Growing Your Vocabulary
Boys flying kites haul in their white winged birds;
You can't do that way when you're flying words.
"Careful with fire," is good advice we know,
"Careful with words," is ten times doubly so.
Thoughts unexpressed many sometimes fall back dead;
But God Himself can't kill them when they're said.
—Will Carleton, The First Settler's Story.
The term "vocabulary" has a special as well as a general meaning. True, all vocabularies are grounded in the everyday words of the language, out of which grow the special vocabularies, but each such specialized group possesses a number of words of peculiar value for its own objects. These words may be used in other vocabularies also, but the fact that they are suited to a unique order of expression marks them as of special value to a particular craft or calling.
In this respect the public speaker differs not at all from the poet, the novelist, the scientist, the traveler. He must add to his everyday stock, words of value for the public presentation of thought.
A study of the discourses of effective orators discloses the fact that they have a fondness for words signifying power, largeness, speed, action, color, light, and all their opposites. They frequently employ words expressive of the various emotions. Descriptive words, adjectives used in fresh relations with nouns, and apt epithets, are freely employed. Indeed, the nature of public speech permits the use of mildly exaggerated words which, by the time they have reached the hearer's judgment, will leave only a just impression.
Form the Book-Note Habit
To possess a word involves three things: To know its special and broader meanings, to know its relation to other words, and to be able to use it. When you see or hear a familiar word used in an unfamiliar sense, jot it down, look it up, and master it.
Use a new word accurately five times and it is yours. Professor Albert E. Hancock says: "An author's vocabulary is of two kinds, latent and dynamic: latent—those words he understands; dynamic—those he can readily use. Every intelligent man knows all the words he needs, but he may not have them all ready for active service. The problem of literary diction consists in turning the latent into the dynamic."
Your dynamic vocabulary is the one you must especially cultivate.
Form the Reference-Book Habit
Do not be content with your general knowledge of a word—press your study until you have mastered its individual shades of meaning and usage. Mere fluency is sure to become despicable, but accuracy never. The dictionary contains the crystallized usage of intellectual giants. No one who would write effectively dare despise its definitions and discriminations. Think, for example, of the different meanings of mantle, or model, or quantity. Any late edition of an unabridged dictionary is good, and is worth making sacrifices to own.
Books of reference are tripled in value when their owner has a passion for getting the kernels out of their shells. Ten minutes a day will do wonders for the nut-cracker. "I am growing so peevish about my writing," says Flaubert. "I am like a man whose ear is true, but who plays falsely on the violin: his fingers refuse to reproduce precisely those sounds of which he has the inward sense. Then the tears come rolling down from the poor scraper's eyes and the bow falls from his hand."
Don't be pugnacious!
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/PublicSpeaking/index2.html
You can't do that way when you're flying words.
"Careful with fire," is good advice we know,
"Careful with words," is ten times doubly so.
Thoughts unexpressed many sometimes fall back dead;
But God Himself can't kill them when they're said.
—Will Carleton, The First Settler's Story.
The term "vocabulary" has a special as well as a general meaning. True, all vocabularies are grounded in the everyday words of the language, out of which grow the special vocabularies, but each such specialized group possesses a number of words of peculiar value for its own objects. These words may be used in other vocabularies also, but the fact that they are suited to a unique order of expression marks them as of special value to a particular craft or calling.
In this respect the public speaker differs not at all from the poet, the novelist, the scientist, the traveler. He must add to his everyday stock, words of value for the public presentation of thought.
A study of the discourses of effective orators discloses the fact that they have a fondness for words signifying power, largeness, speed, action, color, light, and all their opposites. They frequently employ words expressive of the various emotions. Descriptive words, adjectives used in fresh relations with nouns, and apt epithets, are freely employed. Indeed, the nature of public speech permits the use of mildly exaggerated words which, by the time they have reached the hearer's judgment, will leave only a just impression.
Form the Book-Note Habit
To possess a word involves three things: To know its special and broader meanings, to know its relation to other words, and to be able to use it. When you see or hear a familiar word used in an unfamiliar sense, jot it down, look it up, and master it.
Use a new word accurately five times and it is yours. Professor Albert E. Hancock says: "An author's vocabulary is of two kinds, latent and dynamic: latent—those words he understands; dynamic—those he can readily use. Every intelligent man knows all the words he needs, but he may not have them all ready for active service. The problem of literary diction consists in turning the latent into the dynamic."
Your dynamic vocabulary is the one you must especially cultivate.
Form the Reference-Book Habit
Do not be content with your general knowledge of a word—press your study until you have mastered its individual shades of meaning and usage. Mere fluency is sure to become despicable, but accuracy never. The dictionary contains the crystallized usage of intellectual giants. No one who would write effectively dare despise its definitions and discriminations. Think, for example, of the different meanings of mantle, or model, or quantity. Any late edition of an unabridged dictionary is good, and is worth making sacrifices to own.
Word derivations are rich in suggestiveness. Our English owes so much to foreign tongues and has changed so much with the centuries that whole addresses may grow out of a single root-idea hidden away in an ancient word-origin. Translation, also, is excellent exercise in word-mastery and consorts well with the study of derivations.
Search Faithfully for the Right WordBooks of reference are tripled in value when their owner has a passion for getting the kernels out of their shells. Ten minutes a day will do wonders for the nut-cracker. "I am growing so peevish about my writing," says Flaubert. "I am like a man whose ear is true, but who plays falsely on the violin: his fingers refuse to reproduce precisely those sounds of which he has the inward sense. Then the tears come rolling down from the poor scraper's eyes and the bow falls from his hand."
The same brilliant Frenchman sent this sound advice to his pupil, Guy de Maupassant: "Whatever may be the thing which one wishes to say, there is but one word for expressing it, only one verb to animate it, only one adjective to qualify it. It is essential to search for this word, for this verb, for this adjective, until they are discovered, and to be satisfied with nothing else."
Here is an exercise to help you grow your vocabulary: Find as many synonyms and antonyms as possible for each of the following words: Excess, Rare, Severe, Beautiful, Clear, Happy, Difference, Care, Skillful, Involve, Enmity, Profit, Absurd, Evident, Faint, Friendly, Harmony, Hatred, Honest, Inherent.
Subscribe to "Wordsmith" and get a word each day.Don't be pugnacious!
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/PublicSpeaking/index2.html
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wild Words Contest
In order to prepare good speeches, you need to be able to write. Here's your chance to participate in a Wild Words Contest and get some great information.
SARK just announced SARK's Wild Words Contest! It's sort of combination between a writing contest and a treasure hunt...and EVERYONE who enters wins a prize! One person will win the JUICY GRAND PRIZE, which includes being FEATURED in your own "Magical Mini-Memoir" in the program - right alongside the other inspiring writers. Enter today - the contest ends April 8th! Plus, through April 8, there is an "Early Word Special" with a really nice discount. Enter SARK's Wild Words Contest here!
I love SARK
Fran
SARK just announced SARK's Wild Words Contest! It's sort of combination between a writing contest and a treasure hunt...and EVERYONE who enters wins a prize! One person will win the JUICY GRAND PRIZE, which includes being FEATURED in your own "Magical Mini-Memoir" in the program - right alongside the other inspiring writers. Enter today - the contest ends April 8th! Plus, through April 8, there is an "Early Word Special" with a really nice discount. Enter SARK's Wild Words Contest here!
I love SARK
Fran
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