Janet CollinsLadies and Gentlemen…..err…..um
October 5th 2009 04:00
If you have ever been daunted at the prospect of having to say even a few words to a group of people, you are not alone. Researchers often say there is only one thing that generates more fear in us than death and it is public speaking.
It seems that polished public speaking skills are becoming a lot more fashionable these days. Not that these skills were ever really out of fashion or were never admired but for some reason public speaking courses and clubs have become a lot more popular now.
Recently I went along to support a friend who was competing in a “humorous speaking” contest and was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable listening to a list of people delivering speeches actually was.
The night was held by Toastmasters and the contestants had already won two rounds, one at the local club level and then one where they had competed against clubs in their area. This was the third installment where the contestants competed again with clubs from a wider area, so most of them weren’t exactly novices at the craft but they weren’t professionals either.
There were quite a number of well-written, very funny and confidently delivered speeches, all so different that the night was a lot more entertaining that I had expected it to be. One speaker gave a very amusing account of a trip to Rockhampton in Queensland.
Another gave a very funny speech about the influence of advertising in our lives and others that covered very funny episodes in their lives such as the involuntary responsibilities of being an uncle, an early stint at a career as a nurse and the trials of buying and nurturing pets for children.
It struck me that the content for the speeches was sourced very similarly to the way bloggers come up with their posts, but then delivering the material to an audience would have to be a lot harder than just writing about it.
Most of us would love to be able to speak confidently to a group of people but for most of us the suggestion that we might “say a few words” at some gathering is enough to send us into a wild panic.
That is probably because most of us don’t get up in front of people regularly, if at all and we are at a severe disadvantage to those who jobs have them talking to groups, staff or anyone on a daily basis.
Being daunted by the prospect of talking to a group of people is something that even famous people have to deal with. In an interview with Men's Journal a few years back, Hollywood legend, Jack Nicholson. said:
“You know, I’m phobically frightened of public speaking in a way that I find very unattractive. I get my household in a dither before such occasions. I call in everybody for their two cents. ”
According to my friend, joining a public speaking club can really help anyone overcome their fears just by regularly giving them the chance to prepare and deliver speeches and he swears it is in a very supportive environment.
Toastmasters aren’t the only ones. There is another called National Speakers and there are numerous courses anyone can do if they want to learn some skills in public speaking quickly.
Why my friend swears by Toastmasters is that they have programs that all members work through and it is not a really big investment on time. Most clubs meet about twice a month and everyone manages to get turns and, if nothing else, he says really helps build confidence.
Two other productions around the whole thing of public speaking have come to my notice since. This weekend, the Sydney Opera House and St James Ethics Centre invited people to deliver their best to anyone of wanted to listen to them in two minutes at the “Festival of Dangerous Ideas” outside of the Opera House. It reminded me of days gone by when people stood in the domain ranting and raving about anything from politics to everyday life and I wonder if this type of thing is doing a comeback.
In one of those reality-type shows where people challenge each other until the final episode, the ABC is currently producing a show that has people competing in public speaking. They plan for the show to air in 2010 and anyone in Sydney wanting to go along a watch an episode can join the live audience.
It is currently being produced and the website for the show can be found here. I have no idea how professional the speakers who have been chosen actually are but if anyone is interested in going along for a bit of a different night, click on to the website and register to be in the audience.
If my recent experience is anything to go by, you never know you may be really surprised at how entertaining a night like this can be.
Image credit: www.telegraph.co.uk
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Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
It did not help that I recruited one hundred staff for the opening of Hoyts at Fox Studios and on day of opening I had to get up and give them all their orientation in a cinema - this was with all 100 of them in uniform - managers were there, head office was there. But then just before going on when I thought I was about to pass out a senior member of management came up to me and said to use the lectern as support. He said to grip the edges, and do not look direct at anyone but to let my eyes scan the audience. He told me I knew what I was doing as had been doing it for years. He said that after a minute or two I wouldn't even need my notes. It does help when under a spotlight as this semi blinds you to the 100 eyes on you.
I gripped the lectern, my first few words were shakey but he was right - after about two minutes I was on a roll and didn't even need the notes or the lectern. I unplugged the mike and went audience roving
And now I could talk in front of anyone - issue gone.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Good on you.
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
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Fun Places 2 Travel
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Over years, the fear can really build so I think it is a really good idea to take any opportunity you can to speak in front of a group of people. Then, when we are asked to "say a few words" at an important function it would not be all that daunting.
You are certainly getting your students off to a good start. I hope they can extend this into their adult lives. Thank you for the comment.