This Management Monday is all about speaking skills…
Public speaking is no easy thing for the majority of people, and yet the demand for speakers is on the rise.
- The New York Times article A Few Well Chosen Words Pay the Fare for Some cites that as of 2010, 71,600 people were employed in the United States as meeting, convention and event planners.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number is expected to grow 44 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Despite the title of an employee, many jobs require public speaking in addition to other roles. This comes as no surprise when one considers the importance of a public speaker. Where would business or society be without brave leaders who come forward to teach and guide change? Imagine the consequences if Martin Luther King, “MLK,” had a dream, but never shared it.
So for all the public speakers, the employees trying to develop their presentation skills and speakers to be, here are some tips Martin Luther King would likely share.
Public Speaking Lessons from Martin Luther King:
1. Evaluate your message
This is possibly the lengthiest and most crucial step of the process. If you don’t know your mission, you’ve got no direction. Take the time to know yourself, so you know what you have to offer to others. At times, professional guidance through communication training can do wonders for this part of the journey. Be certain you are both passionate about your topic and well versed in the area.
2. Create an outline
Set up your foundation to build on. Write down key points and create a flow of content.
3. Expand your content
Now it is time to juice up your outline. This step is all about making the important messages interesting. Tell stories, leverage contrasting ideologies, metaphors and historical references to accompany your points.
4. Set the stage
Consider props that may make the presentation more powerful. With today’s evolving technology, there are many opportunities to bring presentations to life. Engaging PowerPoint presentations, videos, printed banners, handouts, charts and music are just a few helpful tools available. Also be mindful or your own appearance. Professionalism is the first consideration and the second is audience. In other words, always dress professional, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box if it strengthens your routine.
5. Deliver with conviction
Speaking with conviction is possibly the most important skill to be learned from Martin Luther King, or any other renowned leader. Stay focused on your goal at all times and don’t be afraid to tap into emotions. Take time, and develop your emotional intelligence in order better read and respond to your audience. So often, speaking is thought of as a “one man show.” However, the more engaged the audience becomes, the more powerful the speaker.
These are some tips to get a speaker started, but there is always more to learn. Practice and training will do wonders for those who aim to change the world with one strongly spoken message.
