Speaking in public has the remarkable power of unsettling some of the toughest people - even high-flying men and women in the business world.
I continue to be surprised that so many of those I work with who are responsible for making courageous big money decisions still complain about butterflies in the stomach and sweaty palms at the idea of talking to an audience.
Even those used to macho endeavours like bungy-jumping, parachuting and hang-gliding can find these activities less fear-inducing that putting their company's case to a gathering of prospects or potential investors.
It doesn't have to be like this.
There's much you can do to get these adverse physical side effects of public speaking nerves under control.
Being physically warmed up before you start, taking a few deep slow breaths to fill you with confidence, standing more upright and getting your hands and legs in the right places are amongst the things which can make you - and your audience - feel so much better about your next speech.
But the performance side is just one of three elements to supercharging your presentational efforts.
The other two are choosing the best possible material - and saying things in the most appropriate order.
When you get the content right and the structure right then magically you feel much, much better about the actual performance - and those palms remain dryer.
My sessions on "Presenting with Confidence, Impact and Pizzazz" work by getting participants to come along with a short presentation on the big day.
It could be a sales pitch to enticing new prospects, or a (hopefully) motivational talk to your employees.
Or it could even be that nerve-wracking best man's speech you have to give.
If you have any doubt about the importance of getting the content of this right, check out Hugh Grant's car crash of a best man's speech in Four Weddings And A Funeral.
Here he unwisely talks about the previous time he gave a best man's speech for a couple whose marriage went on to last just two days (two violent days).
Even a less-than-sensitive Australian could probably tell that choosing to talk about the previous groom's sexual adventures with the bride's younger sister and mother may not have been his best content choice.
So I'm hoping that the content for our participants in our next sessions will be more carefully selected than Hugh's character managed.
But if it isn't, we'll look at a method for quickly sorting out what should stay in and what should be thrown out.
We'll be working on picking out of your potential material what is exactly right for your specific audience at that particular moment.
This is because the most promising speech in the world is not enticing if delivered to the wrong audience...as Hugh Grant will attest!
And we'll also show you the magic formula for getting your structure right.
Those who've been on my "Giving Great Answers To Tough Questions" workshop, will know that there are a couple of magic formulae which - when you deploy them - make it very logical to determine the order in which you should say things to your questioners.
Similarly there's a magic formula for putting your material in the right order in your next presentation.
So when you get the content right and structure right, you'll be a far better place to get your performance right - and reduce the sweat on your palms.
And if you still get a few butterflies in your belly, at least you'll have them flying in formation! |
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BOOST YOUR SPEAKING PERFORMANCE - IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Most sessions of "Presenting with Confidence, Impact and Pizzazz" are run for specific companies, chief executives groups or individuals.
But there's an open opportunity for all to participate in the East Midlands on Friday 27 April in the luxury setting of Highgate House just outside Northampton.
This session is being hosted by the Business Leaders Group which helps those running companies to constantly upgrade their skillsets.
The session is limited to just six participants - so everyone will get plenty of practice time to overhaul or polish their performance.
Joint Chairman of the BLG - the multi-skilled Graham Speechley - will be filming our participants throughout the day.
This means you will get the chance to see yourself back as others see you, and adjust your approach accordingly.
Graham has been the film-maker in all my recent sessions in Northamptonshire, so he knows how to capture and highlight whatever it is that needs improving.
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| Graham Speechley |
And after the session over a glass of wine at Highgate House, you can entice Graham to apply his business brain to helping tackling your company's biggest challenges.
The Business Leaders Group is offering an extra discount to readers of the Michael Dodd Media Newsletter who book before 17 March.
You get a £100 discount beyond what Graham calls their "early investor" rate - which means you boost your presenting performance and confidence for £595.
Bookings can be made at: http://www.businessleaderslearning.com/events/michael-dodd-workshop/
To take advantage of the readers discount offer please write the code "MDM05" in the "additional information" box.
And while you're in the region you can take in a bit of Northampton's fascinating history.
It has a magnificent Guild Hall - where the cells of prisoners previously condemned to death can be visited by prior arrangement (yes really).
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| Northampton Guildhall |
Sadly, Northampton has lost its castle which was torn down on the orders of King Charles II.
This was punishment for the good local folk who supported the parliamentarians during the English Civil War - enough to make anyone a republican.
Fortunately Northampton's giant market square remains.
It's one of the largest in the UK.
Beware, it can become overpopulated with pigeons, Australian tourists and other pests...
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| Picture Credit - Cedric Pulford |
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AND HERE'S A BOOK THAT CAN HELP
People have been asking why I haven't written a book on "Presenting with Confidence, Impact and Pizzazz."...and maybe one day I will.
Until then, if you want to uplift your speeches, go for "The Presentation Coach - Bare Knuckle Brilliance For Every Presenter" by my Professional Speaking Association colleague, Graham Davies.
Graham's book will help you make your speech stand out from the crowd - much the way he does himself by nearly always wearing bright lolly pink shirts.
You can spot Graham in his dazzling signature shirt in the opening shots of this famous youtube clip:
Graham is a particular master of getting the content and structure of your speech exactly right for a particular audience.
And he warns against over-packing your speech, with the eloquent words:
"Remember the mind cannot accept what the bottom cannot endure."
Graham has kindly inscribed my copy of his book: "Michael, here is a book you do NOT need."
I ignored his advice.
You should too.
Keep smiling,
Michael |
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