speaking-and-presenting - Em Royce & Company

2025-04-06 #speaking #presenting #good-with-words [[maps-of-content]] > [!success]- Concept Sketch: [[speaking-and-presenting.excalidraw.svg|Concept Sketch]] > ![[speaking-and-presenting.excalidraw.svg]] # Speaking and Presenting — Patrick Barry > [!abstract]- Quick Review > > **Core Essence**: Effective speaking transcends mere words, combining strategic verbal techniques, deliberate delivery, and authentic audience connection. > > **Key Concepts**: > > - Being comfortable "in public" and developing learnable poise > - Strategic use of pauses to build trust and clarity > - Rhetorical devices (repetition, parallelism, rule of three) > - Non-verbal communication and dynamic presence > - Audience-centered connection and strategic surprise > > **Must Remember**: > > - Speaking slowly with purposeful pauses projects confidence > - "It's not about you" - focus on the audience's experience > - Rhetorical techniques create memorable, impactful moments > - Practice and feedback are essential to development > - Balance intellectual content with emotional connection > > **Critical Relationships**: > > - Pauses ↔ Trust (longer pauses = greater trust) > - Delivery speed ↔ Perceived confidence (slower = more confident) > - Verbal/Non-verbal alignment ↔ Authenticity > - Surprise + Conviction = Memorable impact > - Problem clarity + Solution vision = Informed hope ## Introduction: Beyond Words Alone Public speaking is far more than stringing words together in a coherent manner. It's a multidimensional skill that encompasses your physical presence, vocal delivery, rhetorical techniques, and authentic connection with your audience. This material explores the critical elements that transform ordinary speaking into powerful, memorable presenting—moving beyond content to the art of effective communication. > [!tip] Learning Focus > Notice how the most impactful speaking techniques balance seemingly opposite qualities: careful preparation with natural delivery, technical structure with emotional resonance, and personal authority with audience focus. ## I. The Foundation: Being "In Public" with Poise **Being comfortable "in public" forms the bedrock of effective speaking.** Before anything else, public speaking requires comfort with being observed, even in silence. ### The Learnable Skill of Poise Contrary to popular belief, poise isn't an innate talent but a developable skill. Even renowned speakers like Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, Oprah Winfrey, and Justice John Roberts weren't born with their abilities—they "practiced, messed up and then practiced some more." > [!note] Reframing Speaking Anxiety > When you feel nervous about speaking, recognize that this isn't a personal deficiency but simply a skill in development. The most polished speakers have simply accumulated more practice hours than you have—so far. ### Comfort with Observation A fundamental aspect of speaking well is becoming comfortable with others watching you. This includes: - Being at ease during silences - Maintaining composure when all eyes are on you - Projecting calm while under observation ## II. The Power of Pauses: Creating Space for Impact **Strategic pauses are among the most powerful tools in a speaker's arsenal.** They enhance clarity, build trust, and create space for impact. ### The Virtue of Clarity Edmund Wilson, as noted by Clive James, demonstrated "the virtue of clarity" by not overpacking his thoughts or saying everything at once. Instead, he completely finished one point before starting another—a practice equally valuable in speaking. ### Pauses Build Trust Rushing through a presentation communicates nervousness and discomfort, while purposeful pauses build both: - **Intellectual trust**: Audiences can process and understand your ideas - **Emotional trust**: You appear calm, controlled, and present > [!warning] Common Mistake > Many speakers rush to fill silence out of discomfort, but this undermines their perceived authority. Remember: "Hasty is not a synonym for trustworthy, nor is frazzled or manic." ### Practical Implementation 1. Write "**PAUSE**" and "**BREATHE**" on note cards in large, bold letters 2. Practice with a timer, holding pauses longer than feels natural 3. Record yourself to identify rushed sections 4. Study recordings of powerful speakers to observe their pause patterns ### The Research on Pause Duration Research by Kristina Lundholm Fors found that a half-second pause significantly improves audience comprehension, while pauses longer than four seconds can be detrimental. Find the balance that works for your content and style. > [!example] Historical Example > Churchill's Whitespace Winston Churchill's speech drafts looked "like a draft of a poem" due to the whitespace he deliberately inserted to remind himself to pause. These pauses weren't accidental but carefully choreographed for maximum impact—transforming good content into an unforgettable delivery. ```mermaid graph LR A[Too Fast: No Pauses] --> B[Perceived as: Nervous Frazzled Untrustworthy] C[Balanced: 0.5-2 Second Pauses] --> D[Perceived as: Confident Thoughtful Trustworthy] E[Too Slow: >4 Second Pauses] --> F[Perceived as: Uncertain Disconnected Unprepared] style C fill:#90EE90 ``` > [!visual] "0.5-2 sec" as the ideal pause duration > ## III. Rhetorical Rhythm: Verbal Technology for Impact **Rhetorical devices create memorable, persuasive patterns that resonate with audiences.** These "verbal technologies" have been used throughout history to craft messages that stick. ### Rhetorical Repetition Two powerful forms of repetition include: 1. **Anaphora**: Repeating words at the beginning of successive phrases - Example: MLK's "I have a dream" speech - Commercial application: Home Depot's "More saving. More doing." 2. **Epistrophe**: Repeating words at the end of successive phrases - Example: "If you see something, say something" - Political example: LBJ's Voting Rights Speech repetition ### Parallel Structure **Parallel structure expresses corresponding ideas in corresponding grammatical forms.** This creates a sense of balance, precision, and completeness. - Example: Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" - Creates "syntactic symmetry" that audiences find both comforting and compelling ### The Rule of Three **Grouping ideas in threes creates a sense of completeness and rhythm.** Often the third element varies slightly ("short, short, kind of long" or "same, same, kind of different"). - Political example: Tony Blair's "education, education, education" - Steve Jobs: "prepare to die...tell your kids...buttoned up...say your goodbyes" > [!note] Ethical Consideration These rhetorical techniques work equally well for noble or ignoble purposes. "Nobody has a monopoly on effective language." Consider the ethical implications of your persuasive techniques. ```mermaid graph TD A[Rhetorical Devices] --> B[Repetition] A --> C[Parallel Structure] A --> D[Rule of Three] B --> E[Anaphora Beginning Repetition] B --> F[Epistrophe Ending Repetition] D --> G[Pattern: Same, Same, Different] D --> H[Pattern: Short, Short, Long] ``` ## IV. Beyond Words: The Non-Verbal Dimension **Non-verbal communication significantly impacts how your message is received.** While the exact percentages are debated, how you say something often matters more than what you say. ### The Speed-Confidence Connection Speaking slowly and deliberately communicates calm and control. Rushed speech suggests nervousness and discomfort, while measured delivery projects confidence. ### Dynamic Movement Even subtle physical movements enhance engagement: - Head movements - Arm gestures - Shifts in stance As Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrated, "Your mouth should not be the only thing that moves." > [!warning] Technology Trap > "A bad presentation with good technology is still a bad presentation." Don't rely on slides or props to create dynamism that should come from your delivery. ## V. The Heart of Connection: Audience-Centered Speaking **Effective speaking is fundamentally about the audience, not the speaker.** Building connection requires prioritizing the audience's experience over your own comfort or preferences. ### The Trust Equation Gaining your audience's trust requires balancing: - **Intellectual trust**: Demonstrating competence and clarity - **Emotional trust**: Creating comfort and connection ### The Conversation Mindset Treat presentations like conversations rather than performances: - Focus on making your audience feel smart, not proving your own intelligence - "Trying to sound smart is a pretty dumb strategy. Making your audience feel smart is a freaking brilliant strategy." ### The Principle of Tact The fundamental principle of audience connection is: "It's not about you." Focus on how audience members feel rather than how you appear. > [!example]- Case Application: The Failed Genius > > A brilliant researcher presented complex findings to potential investors using technical jargon, complex slides, and rapid delivery to demonstrate his expertise. Despite flawless content, he received no funding. > > In a coaching session, he reframed his presentation around the investors' needs and questions, simplified his language, added strategic pauses, and focused on making his audience feel intelligent rather than proving his own brilliance. > > Result: His next presentation, though technically simpler, secured full funding because investors felt included, respected, and confident in both his expertise and his ability to communicate effectively. ## VI. The Elements of Surprise and Hope **Engaging presentations often include unexpected elements delivered with conviction.** This strategic "mischief" creates memorable moments that reinforce your message. ### Be Surprisingly Convincing Examples of effective surprise: - Bill Gates releasing mosquitoes at a TED Talk about malaria - Steve Jobs pulling the MacBook Air from a standard envelope ### The Power of Optimism Even when discussing serious topics, a positive demeanor enhances impact: - "Smile more than you think appropriate" - Project "the smile of someone who has something to share" ### The Hope Equation Effective proposals balance: - Clear understanding of "what is" (the problem) - Compelling vision of "what could be" (the solution) This creates informed hope—optimism grounded in reality. ```mermaid graph LR A[Effective Presentation] --> B[Clear Problem Understanding] A --> C[Compelling Solution Vision] B --> D[Informed Hope] C --> D ``` ## VII. The Development Journey: Practice Makes Progress **Speaking skills develop through consistent effort and feedback.** They cannot be acquired through theory alone. > [!note] Development Reality > "You can't think your way to acquiring speaking skills. You have to develop them, often slowly, through a not-always-comfortable mix of practice, feedback, reflection, and adjustment." ### The Practice Loop 1. Practice speaking in various contexts 2. Receive specific feedback 3. Reflect on your performance 4. Make deliberate adjustments 5. Repeat > [!tip] Feedback Focus > When practicing, ask observers to focus on specific elements (pauses, movement, rhetorical devices) rather than general impressions. This provides actionable insights for improvement. ## Summary: The Integrated Speaker Masterful speaking integrates multiple dimensions into a seamless whole. Rather than focusing on individual techniques, the best speakers blend verbal craftsmanship, strategic delivery, and authentic connection to create meaningful impact. The journey from good to great speaking involves: 1. Developing comfort with being "in public" 2. Mastering the strategic use of pauses 3. Deploying rhetorical devices for impact 4. Harnessing non-verbal communication 5. Creating genuine audience connection 6. Adding elements of surprise and hope 7. Committing to ongoing practice and development > [!important] Most Important Takeaway > **Effective speaking is not about the speaker but about the audience's experience.** When you shift your focus from how you appear to how your audience feels—intellectually engaged, emotionally connected, and valued—your impact increases dramatically. The technical aspects of speaking matter only insofar as they serve this fundamental purpose: creating meaningful connection that enables your message to be received, understood, and remembered. -- Reference: - Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting by Patrick Barry