CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 29: U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe ... [+]
The first round of the 2020 United States Presidential Debates between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden concluded last night. The highly anticipated showdown elicited strong reactions from analysts across the political spectrum. But irrespective of political leanings, one fact is incontestable: when used effectively, public speaking provokes a discourse so powerful, it disrupts normality, stirs emotions and commands attention.
The power of words is not newfound. In fact, the history of public speaking is elaborate as the craft itself. In ancient Rome, oration was a tool of advancing dialogue on critical issues as citizens delivered speeches on subjects of socio-political importance. Ancient Greece was similar too: public speaking was embedded in political life and, in many ways, sowed the seeds of participatory democracy. During the Enlightenment, public speaking became a vehicle for scientific awakening in an era of rationality, rebirth and freedom.
From Investor Pitches to Interviews
Today, as years before, public speaking lies at the core of social engagement. At various scales, it continues to be a critical skill for aspiring leaders and young professionals across industry areas. Be it in boardroom presentations and investor pitches or deal negotiations and multi-panel job interviews, public speaking becomes an instrument of persuasion. It communicates data that needs to be transmitted, conveys stories that need to be told, and empowers narratives that need to be heard.
Existing literature on the art of public speaking is extensive: ranging from preparation and confidence to body language and tonality, the list of ‘golden rules’ is abundant — but mechanical. The following five rules are lesser-known approaches to public speaking and will insert dynamism, nuance, and distinction to your communication toolbox.
1) Make People Dream
Successful leaders have a rare ability to evoke collective aspirations in the minds of their audiences. There’s a reason why speeches from iconic personalities have continued to transcend time and space: Nelson Mandela led a vision for social justice, John F. Kennedy called upon the nation to strive for public good, Martin Luther King Jr. provided a script for civil rights, and Michelle Obama personified empowerment.
Regardless of the size of audience, a fine speaker must induce a sense of community that is connected by common goals. A hiring manager wants to recruit the college graduate who will become the firm’s star analyst on the next multimillion dollar deal. A tech investor wants to fund the next big innovator. A talent manager wants to work with young actors that will become their generation’s breakthrough stars.
The reality is: people need a reason to dream; they are actively looking for that one person who can provide them the comfort of shared values and the optimism of collective interests. Impressive public speakers know how to capture this hope.
2) Surprise, Not Shock
In an age of disruptive innovation, young people are consistently faced with the temptation to reinvent the wheel. Generating innovation is plausible, especially as the landscape is saturated with bold ideas and renditions built upon existing frameworks. Today, audiences are programmed to appreciate fresh perspectives, new representation, creative scripts, compelling pitches, unique stories. Introducing an element of surprise, therefore, to subvert expectations is a powerful tool to excite the room and build anticipation for your words.
But the truth is: the loudest mouth can grab eyeballs but seldom the prize. In the pursuit of risk-taking, young professionals must contextualize their stylistic approach to the setting, culture and norms of their organizations. Challenging convention is essential but preserving institutional integrity is equally vital.
This balance is best demonstrated when speakers focus on innovating the content, not just the delivery, of their engagement. They capitalize on this opportunity by digging compelling facts, sourcing new data, and suggesting cutting-edge solutions.
3) Use Tactical Silence
Public speaking, ironically, is not all about speaking. In fact, the best public speakers are exceptional listeners. This is because active listening builds capacity to process critical information that is key to fostering connectivity and partnership.
Expert negotiators have used silence as a bargaining device in managing tough conflicts. Public speaking is a form of subtle negotiation too; it is a channel to cultivate trust between the speaker and the audience. And the strategic use of silence nurtures this relationship as it provides space for absorption, and more importantly, reflection on your core message.
Mastering this skill requires a combination of patience, fortitude and resolve, because it is only the most self-aware that can project certainty without uttering a single syllable.
4) Be Confidently Vulnerable
In the pursuit of creating idols out of humans, public speaking can be confused with public perfection. The act of showing vulnerability is perceived as a sign of weakness. This is a fallacy.
Strong public speakers make themselves accessible to their audiences. They have the courage to acknowledge flaws and the confidence to promise improvement. A small-business owner who is honest about his minimal finance knowledge, but energetic about his willingness to learn will win credibility in the bid for producing high top-line numbers. A young political candidate with no prior congressional experience but the zeal to shake the status quo will attract constituent interest.
Staying nimble and agile in your communication paves the way for authenticity, a trait that earns empathy even in tense situations. Embracing vulnerabilities is humanizing and creates leadership personas that are relatable, fair and realistic. Perfection is passé.
5) Remember the 95% Rule
Human curiosity is a motivator for learning and a function of creative imagination. In fact, curiosity can be as important as intelligence because it stimulates the inherent human desire to know, to discover, to unravel. This innate instinct, however, can be suppressed when individuals are spoon-fed with a totality of information. It stifles the human need for self-guided intellectual discovery.
Compelling public speakers understand this nuance and will provide their audiences with 95% of the required information: the premise, goals, facts, arguments, alternatives. But they end at a point that allows audiences to remain inquisitive. This 5% grants listeners the breathing room to satiate their imagination, fulfill their intrinsic tendency for exploration, and look forward to their next public speech.
