“What will people think? What if I do badly or if I forget? How can I speak with more power? How can I really engage people throughout?” For the last decade, I have been coaching people to become fearless and powerful in their communication. Just search for me on YouTube and see the TEDx talk on Fear of Public Speaking. If you find that useful, you will love this course.
There are 3 main areas of focus, (1) Conquering Stage Fear, (2) Create Strong Content, and (3) Speaking Powerfully: Includes Conversational Skills, Body Language, Storytelling, Speeches, Interviews, etc. Plus I offer personal feedback and coaching sessions as well – offered in my premium course on my personal website.
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********* SECTION 1: BECOMING FEARLESS – OVERCOMING SHYNESS AND FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING *********
Is It Possible to Overcome Nervousness?
• Some people wonder if this is even possible. Here’s a video for them and why speakers are “made,” not “born”
Diagnosis and Self-Evaluation
• Let’s begin with understanding what the main challenges you’re facing are. This video helps you make some notes on all areas including: Physiological symptoms (e.g., racing heartbeat), Negative Thoughts (“What if I fail,” or “I may sound weird”), Concerns with delivering the content well (tone, stuttering, body language, etc.), Concerns with the content itself (content isn’t enough, it’s boring, etc.).
The Decision – Are you sure you want this skill?
• Strengthening and committing to your decision to work on your public speaking skills, will be the first step. Understand the consequences of not going ahead with this, and the benefits of becoming a powerful speaker.
Embracing the anxiety – Reevaluating the nervousness
• Why is it that we enjoy the thrill of a ride or a horror movie, but not the stage? Have you noticed the feeling inside the body of “excitement” is sometimes very similar?
What will People Think; Fear of Being Judged
• Motivating yourself with a “before and after” vision
• Accepting reality to focus on long-term
Fear of Forgetting (“What if I forget?”)
• Focussing on the process for a long-term vision
• Here’s what you do if you forget some points
• Worst case? Here’s what to do if you forget the entire thing
• Keeping the “Cheat Sheet” (Also see video on “Preparing to succeed”)
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********* SECTION 2: SPEAKING POWERFULLY – CONTENT & ENGAGEMENT *********
Appearances: First Impressions & Physical Personality
• Do your appearances really matter?
• Basic tweaks you may need to make
Conversational Skills & Meeting new people… Small Talk:
• Tackling Awkwardness and How to Greet people
• When to NOT shake hands with people (& when to!)
• How to make “small talk” interesting, with strangers or friends
• Art of getting the quiet or shy people to talk more
• Things to avoid: What BAD conversationalists do
• Connecting with younger people, and things to avoid
Introductions & Social interactions
• Being more engaging with, “What do you do?” even if you’re a homemaker or student!
• Situations covered: Social, semi-formal, formal, and business networking events
• Speaking to people of all ages, and being more conversational
• Using the “Elevator Pitch” to answer questions in a more interesting manner such as, “What does your organisation do?”
Storytelling – Essence of Public Speaking
• Demonstrations on telling a story to be more engaging
• Examples of stories and art of inserting them into your work
• “Choosing” the takeaway from the story, as a persuasion tactic
Speaking to the point and Being more concise
• Exercises and examples on how to speak to-the-point
• Summarising articles succinctly
Starting your Speech
• Several captivating ways of beginning your talk
• Tips and Examples when starting speeches
Concluding your Speech
• Several captivating ways of concluding your talk
• Tips and Examples when ending speeches
Presentation-skills – Visually appealing slides
• Major things to keep in mind when creating slides
• Tips on how to present your slides with more impact
• Recordings of coaching sessions with feedback on various workplace presentations*
Body Language when Seated (part 1)
• Demonstration of posture and using your gestures
• Why you may need to manoeuvre your chair. Yes, the chair itself!
• Non-verbal communication while having a group discussion
• What to do with your hands, to be more engaging
• Eye contact – how to stop ignoring half the group
Body Language when Standing (part 2)
• Demonstration of posture and using your gestures
• What to do with your hands, to be more engaging
• What NOT to do with your body
• Positioning yourself when the audience is spread out
Handling Q&A and Managing Difficult Audience
• 5 main points on handling questions at the end
Expect and Predict questions.
Don’t expect to know all answers.
Pause and take your time.
Stick to relevant questions.
• Handling an over-enthusiastic person
• Managing a Heckler or people who disturb you
• The Veteran-Expert and her interrupting wisdom
• Dealing with a perpetual whiner or complainer
• Tackling a Rambler, or someone whose question never ends
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********* SECTION 3 (BONUS): ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MASTERING INTERVIEWS *********
• Style & Body Language
• Introducing yourself; your highlights
• Strengths; and connecting with the job
• Most Important: Why you should be hired
• Weaknesses
• Answering HR/Behavioural questions, or Competency-based interview
• Answering tricky or difficult questions (FERMI)
• Controlling the interview questions to your advantage
• “Do you have any questions for us?”
