Speak to Lead

Public Speaking: Out of Time--What to Do When the Speakers Before You Use Up Your Time

What do you do when your time is cut? Perhaps other speakers run over their time allotment, impeding on your minutes. Perhaps an awards ceremony runs over. Perhaps the meeting starts late.

Here are 4 guidelines:

1. Prepare 3 versions when you write your speech--A) full length, B) 10 to 15 minutes, C) 3 to 5 minutes. You don't need to write 3 totally new presentations. Just make sure you know what content can be dropped to get the time down.
2. Ask the meeting planner or whoever is in charge if they want you to end on schedule or go over.
3. If they need you to end on time, use version A or B.
4. If they want you to go over, let the audience know that when you start to speak. Tell them you will understand if some of them have to leave before you finish.
5. If you do go over, keep the extended remarks under 15 minutes.

I once spoke at a three-day conference of senior military officers. The meetings were held at a resort in Florida and the spouses (in this case all wives) of the brass accompanied their husbands. The first two days included time in the afternoon for recreational activities. Unfortunately, it had rained heavily both days.

I was scheduled to conduct a workshop from 8:30 to 12:30 the final morning. At 8 a.m. as the sunshine poured through my window, I got a call from the conference organizer, asking

Public Speaking: Logistics Matter Part 2--Staff Error Makes Tony Blair's Successor Invisible

Little did I know when I was writing yesterday's post on "Logistics Matter" that "across the pond" the staff of would-be British prime minister Gordon Brown was demonstrating (unintentionally I presume) how poor logistics can sabotage the message.

It seems that Mr. Brown's staff told the broadcast technicians to change the angle of the teleprompter (autocue to the Brits) screens. The result is best seen by clicking here. Mr. Gordon can't be seen by the press! A good clue that your message isn't being heard loud and clear is when the first question is "I can't see you. Can you see me?" (BBC reporter)

Two Lessons:

1. Unless you really know what you're doing, don't override the technicians on matters of prompter placement or lighting. If you think something is not right, mention your concerns to them and let them explain why things are the way they are.*
2. Always check the audience sight line, by sitting in various spots around the room.

*Broadcast technicians at the major networks and stations are professionals. They will do the right thing. This is not always true of a/v technicians you may encounter at a hotel or conference venue. I have found they frequently do a set up that is convenient for them, not necessarily one that is best for the speaker.

Public Speaking: Logistics Matter--How Little Screwups Can Sabotage Results

Public speaking that gets results combines compelling message with convincing delivery and controlled logistics. Sadly, delivery and logistics are often the neglected sides of the triangle. Case in point:

Republican presidential tease Fred Thompson spoke last week to a Republican gathering in California. Because of high interest among many conservatives in his potential run for the nomination, the speech attracted significant media attention. Audience response was underwhelmed.

In an article in today's Washington Times, "Thompson's 'folksy' speaking style brings bad reviews," reporter Stephen Dinan writes, "But it was his delivery, more than the content, that drew criticism..." Dinan continues, "At times, he seemed to stumble over his notes and his place in the speech."

One commentator is quoted as saying by way of excuse that Thompson has been "off the political speech-making circuit for some time." That's nonsense! The skills of political speech making are like the skills of riding a bicycle.  Even after years of non use, they return immediately, especially to an actor. I think Thompson overestimated his skills and didn't see any need to practice. Perhaps scheduling rehearsal time wasn't factored into the logistics of the event.

Dinan also writes, "His backers said Mr. Thompson had a difficult time with the microphone, which...was set too low for the 6-foot-6 actor." Dinan then goes on to point out that the mic problem was evident hours earlier when the emcee was rehearsing. Why wasn't the staff there fixing the problem? This cannot be the first time Thompson's height has been a factor. The answer is probably that neither the ex-senator nor his staff were focused on the logistics of the room. And as a result, instead of newspaper articles discussing Thompson's message and drive, we see the focus on his lackluster performance.

Success in public speaking requires attention to logistical details, including, but not limited to

• room set up
• type of microphone
• type of lectern
• who will do the introduction
• what else is scheduled for the program
• what time are you scheduled to speak
• name and cell phone number or pager of on-site contact

For a more detailed list of speech logistics, email me at l o u at h a m p t o n g r o u p dot c o m Put "logistics" in the subject line.

Public Speaking: Projecting Command Presence Part 1--Two Easy Steps to Look Confident and Comfortable Before an Audience

Part of your success in public speaking comes from your ability to project command presence. Typically this is a combination of posture, facial expression, eye contact, and content that draws the audience's attention, and sends the message that you are comfortable and confident. Obviously, that's a lot of elements to have working together.

So here are two easy-to-implement techniques that add to command presence.

First, savor the lull before the speech. By lull I mean the time beginning when your introducer stops talking and ends when you say your first word. Most speakers rush to start.

Instead, walk to the lectern (or wherever you will be standing when you begin). Put down your written speech or any notes you have. When the papers are in order, look up and look directly at one person. Smile. Shift your eyes to another person, hold briefly and begin saying your first line to that person. About three seconds will have elapsed from when you first looked up until you begin to speak.

This allow the audience to settle and to focus on you. It allows you to connect with the audience through your eyes before you say a word. And it shows you are comfortable with silence. Unsure speakers are not.

Second, savor the applause. After you say the last word of your speech, keep eye contact for an additional 2 seconds with the person you are looking at. Then break eye contact, switch your view to the middle of the audience and say, "Thank you!" (or some variation on the theme: "It's been great being with you." "Have a great conference!" et cetera.) or "I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have."

Once again, this demonstrates comfort and control. It also reinforces that you have enjoyed being with the group. Many speakers look like they are fleeing a crime scene.

We'll take a look at other elements of command presence in future posts. If you have any questions about command presence, I'd love to hear them. Click on the Comments link below.
   

Speech & Interview Faux Pas: How to Avoid Mistakes When Speaking While Tired

Lots of elements can cause someone to make a faux pas while giving a speech or doing a media interview. Today let's look at one of those causes. One that increases the chance of making an error, increases the likelihood that you will be viewed as being defensive, and is self inflicted.

At a fund raising event in Richmond VA yesterday, Senator Barack Obama inflated the number of persons killed by tornadoes in Kansas by a factor of nearly 1,000. Twelve became 10,000.

One cause of the faux pas may simply have been that Obama is a senator, and senators speak of thousands, millions, and billions, not of ten or twelve.

But according to the Associated Press, later in the speech Obama appeared to realize his mistake. "There are going to be times when I get tired. There are going to be times when I get weary. There are going to be times when I make a mistake."

The cue card should read: Tired? DANGER AHEAD.

Most of us are not under the pressures of a presidential primary campaign. Still there will be times when we will have to give a speech or do an interview when we are tired. How can we avoid errors and looking defensive? And is physical weariness the only type we have to guard against? Here are some steps you can take.