Public Speaking

Public Speaking, Business, and Life Lessons from an Egret

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It’s amazing what Mother Nature’s creatures can teach us about public speaking, business, and life, just by being there.

My husband and I are on vacation right now in Nuevo Vallarta; and yesterday, while walking back to the hotel from the beach, I spotted this egret next to a waterway on the hotel property.

Of course I had to whip out my phone to take a picture. While I was doing so, a bunch of rather noisy people came down the path and I was worried that the egret would take flight before I could grab my picture.

Thankfully he didn’t pay any of us a bit of attention. (I guess he is used to admirers checking him out.)

As I thought about the egret’s reaction (or rather lack of it), it occurred to me that he was inadvertently sharing some important messages with me about public speaking, about business, and about life.

  1. When you’re sharing information with people, don’t forget the power of the pause. Pauses actually focus people’s attention more powerfully on what you are sharing, and provide time to digest its value.
  2. Don’t get distracted by inconsequential occurrences (or tourists in his case).
  3. Keep your focus on what’s really important (for him, getting more food; for me, empowering more people to speak up and share their gifts with the world).
  4. Take some time off to enjoy the view.

Since I am on vacation, I am paying particular attention to lesson #4. It’s a good lesson to periodically take to heart; so that lessons 2 and 3 come more easily when it’s time to get back to work.

Please share if you have also learned some lessons from Mother Nature’s creatures.

P.S. When I had originally posted this message, I had mistakenly labeled the bird I saw as a heron; so the final message I learned is that when it comes to naming birds, I’d better stick to cardinals, robins, and blue jays.

When You Don’t Know What to Say at a Time of Loss

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One of the most important commandments in the Hebrew Bible (which I would surmise is also included in other holy books) is the commandment to comfort the mourner.

Perhaps it is given so much importance in my own Jewish tradition because it is something that is so difficult to do.

What can you say in such a painful situation? How can you console someone who has suffered a loss, instead of avoiding that person and feeling guilty about it ever after?

The person who suffers the loss can end up feeling deserted by family, friends, and community, precisely at the time that caring support is needed the most.

You end up feeling uncomfortable around that person; and this often leads to a long-term negative effect on the relationship that you had shared, and perhaps even cherished.

Despite all my years as a speaking and messaging coach, I cannot recall anyone ever asking me for guidance on how to communicate with others in such a situation. Yet this situation inevitably comes to all of us.

Having had the occasion to attend the funeral of the dear niece of one of my husband’s cousins, I was inspired to make a video about this difficult subject. I hope that you find the thoughts I share to be helpful, and that the necessity to use them comes rarely in your life.

Love and blessings,

Marjorie

Want to Know Warren Buffett’s #1 Tip for Entrepreneurs?

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public speaking skills - Warren Buffett

 

 

 

 

Want to know how important public speaking skills are in the business world?

A 22 year old young man by the name of Michael Hood had the honor of being Warren Buffett’s escort for the day when Mr. Buffett was in Toronto for the Canadian Hall of Fame Inductee Gala.

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Michael took advantage of this honor by asking Mr. Buffett to share what he considered the most important tip to give to young people starting out in business.

Warren Buffett’s answer: “If you can’t communicate, it’s like winking at a girl in the dark — nothing happens. You can have all the brainpower in the world, but you have to be able to transmit it.”

You can enjoy the entire conversation in the video included in this article about that day.

What do you think about Warren Buffett’s answer? Do you agree? I’d love to hear your opinion. (Given that I coach people on business communication skills, you can certainly guess what mine is!!😉)

 

 

How to Prepare for a Speech Ahead of Time

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When it comes to being nervous about public speaking, sometimes it’s the details that can cause us the most anxiety.

The details to which I am referring are not your notes or preparation for the presentation itself, but rather vital tangential items that can throw you for a loop if not handled properly.

There are four categories of details that, planned for in advance, can greatly lower your stress level when you are getting ready to make a presentation:

  1. Items to discuss and arrange with the event planner or meeting organizer ahead of time;
  2. Items to prepare ahead of time that you may need to take with you;
  3. Items to take with you to the event  that can be packed and ready to go the day before the event;
  4. Things to do once your arrive at the venue of your speech or presentation.

Knowing that you have all of these ducks in a row and quacking in tune can greatly reduce any stress you are feeling about speaking in front of a group of people or an audience.

As a general rule, the more prepared you feel, the easier it is to handle the usual last minute public speaking nerves that show up before you start a speech or presentation.

I’d love to know if you find these lists useful.

In addition, if there is anything else you have found that can be added to any of these lists, I’d really appreciate your sharing your suggestions with me.

BONUS IDEA: Some of these items also apply when you are attending an event where you are not a speaker.

The most obvious example is to make sure that you always have a supply of your business cards with you. You never know when you might meet someone who would like to have one.

3 Tips for Creating a Great Introduction

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When it comes to public speaking, there are all kinds of introductions:

  • Introducing yourself when meeting someone new;
  • Introducing yourself to people at networking and business events; and
  • Introductions given before you give a speech or presentation.

Depending upon how often you give formal presentations, you may not need the third type of introduction very often; but it’s still important to have a good one in your toolbox.

That requires an introduction that will get your audience excited to hear you before you even open your mouth.

This video from my series on Public Speaking Tips and Tricks covers 3 important aspects of how to be introduced in such a way that sets you up for success:

  1. What to include in such an introduction, and who needs to prepare it;
  2. Who needs to make the introduction (not you!!) and what they need to do it effectively; and
  3. How to introduce yourself if you are stuck doing it.

If you haven’t yet accessed it, you can find out more details about how to prepare for a speech ahead of time in my complimentary ebook, Overcome Your Public Speaking Fears.

It is available both on my website, http://VibrantVocalPower.com, and at http://OvercomeYourSpeakingFears.com.

If the devil is in the details, then don’t let the details surrounding preparing a speech or presentation devil you.

Tips for Handling an Angry Person

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Communicating with other people can be somewhat challenging at times.

So what do you do when someone catches you flat footed and starts aiming an angry tirade at you?

Do you get defensive and start yelling back, which only raises the temperature of the (so-called) conversation higher?

Or might there be a better way to handle someone who is obviously upset, and maybe not even at you.

Check out the video about this very subject. I’d love to hear what you think of my suggestions.

Here’s wishing you calm confidence in any conversation.