MY ITAN SNIPPETS
Speaking Out Loud
A three-step guide to mastering the art of public speaking
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen.” I look up from my seat to see a little girl on the pulpit,
“My name is Tolulope Ogundipe,” She continues,
“And my memory verse is taken from John Chapter 1 verse 1.” I shift a bit in my seat, even two rows away, her anxiety is palpable from here (keep going kid, you can do it),
“It says, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with dog...” (uh oh), she pauses for a brief moment noting her error, the congregation starts clapping for encouragement (like that ever helps),
“It says...” she backtracks a bit, trying to project her voice over the applause,
“In the bennigning was the Word...” (Oh snap, another error, here it comes),
“...and the Word was with dog...” (two blunders within the space of three seconds, that’s gotta be some sort of record), the microphone amplifies her quivering voice,
“My name is Tolulope Ogundipe...” (Here come the waterworks),
“My memory verse is taken from...” she bursts out crying (yup, it literally ended in tears) and was led off the stage by an usher, and the ambient applause of the congregation.
At some point in our lives, we’ve been either of the two from this story — the toddler shaking in her boots on stage, or the congregation offering the little encouragement we could during the speech.
According to the eighth edition of Hamilton’s book, it was estimated that 75% of all people experience some level of glossophobia (a fancier term for ‘speech anxiety’) while on stage.
Think about it, how many times have you chickened out of giving closing prayers or leading your school’s assembly? I bet a bottle of Pepsi it outweighs the number of times you’ve said yes (and if it didn’t well, good for you).
However, be it being bold enough to give an impromptu speech, Bible recital, or defend a research topic, the benefits of knowing how to speak publicly are innumerable, and should, therefore, be learned by everyone.
On the latest session of Ìtàn, national-renowned public speaker, business facilitator, and CEO of Starbor consulting—Daniel Otabor, put us through the three-step-process essential to mastering the art of public speaking...
First things first
“Public speaking is not a career. It is a skill you develop to make you a better communicator, a better leader, and advance whatever product you sell or service you render.”—Daniel Otabor (The Art Of Public Speaking)
If you happen to have been thinking, “Why do I need this? I’m just 10.” or “I don’t intend on being a public speaker. There’s no point knowing this.”
Here's a gentle reminder that Tolu was a five-year-old who probably didn't even know what it meant to be a ‘public speaker’.
My point; public speaking isn’t a career first but a skill, one that’s blind to age, sex, religion or status, and like most skills, one that can be taught and learned by anyone.
As long as you have life in you, you are qualified to speak in public.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's move on to the three Rs of speaking out loud...
- Research: What to say
“It is always better for you to have a lot to say and little time than you have a lot of time and little to say.”
Whenever you’re given the opportunity to speak in front of a group of people, saturating yourself with knowledge on the given topic is imperative. You should always do your absolute best to study to face questions.
In addition to researching your topic, here’s a checklist of other factors to take note of prior to presenting:
- Your audience; who would you be speaking to? (a group of college students, an elderly home, a law firm...?). Knowing your audience ahead of time gets you prepared for your mannerism of presentation.
- Your outfit; what is morally acceptable in the area/venue/event? No matter how many times we try to deny it with the ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ ideology, humans are visual creatures by default. Your dressing informs the kind of example you’re trying to project. (besides it’s hard to take you seriously with the polka-dot hat and striped suit...talking to us about organization? How about you start with your wardrobe Mr. Speaker?).
- Your tools; this involves knowing what activates your ‘speaker’ element (a whiteboard, slideshow, practical session...?) and comparing it with what would be made available to you on the day (before preparing a 10-minute slideshow, do ensure you find out if the venue is enlightened — literally).
2. Rehearse: How to say
“Make your message a part of you. Talk about it every chance you get.”
Practice! Practice! Practise!...
In front of a mirror,
With a voice recorder,
Amongst a group of friends,
At a family gathering...
Talk about your topic so much that it becomes a part of you (and everyone else you've practiced with).
In addition, you don’t have to wait till you’re invited as a speaker before being intentional about building your skill.
“You have to learn public speaking gradually. You're not going to learn in a day...a week...a month. Love to study, read, and attend. You cannot give what you don't have.”
Start with simple steps — volunteer to lead prayers in your place of worship, be vocal during the QnA session of an event (or a class), introduce guests at a small gathering — with time, you'll find out that it's the little drops that make an ocean.
3. Reveal: Say it
“If you have something great to say, and you understand you have something great to say, and you have practiced well enough, just open your mouth and allow the words to come out.”
A few pointers when on stage:
- Appreciate people; (...my panel of judges, honorable time keeper...was a subtle lesson), be vocal with your gratitude attitude by thanking those who gave you the opportunity to speak, and your wonderful audience for being present.
- Smile; humans aren’t generally horrible people (if you think otherwise, you’re probably one of them). Remember that the aura of the room is mostly dependent on you; what you give is, most often, what you get, and the fastest way to alleviate tension is by flashing those pearly whites of yours. (Do ensure they’re this hue before getting up there).
- Stories are your friend; I know I speak for most humans when I say we remember stories (and experiences) more often than we do facts. I mean, it was a lot easier for me to relate to ‘Some Lovers Try Positions That They Cannot Handle ’ than the one-paged text listing the order of carpal bones (three years down the line and I still remember). Always remember, good stories are key to livening up any speech.
- Make eye contact with the friendlies; quit focusing on the dude who looks like he’s had lemons for breakfast, instead connect with the friendly faces in the crowd to alleviate whatever tension that might have been building up.
- Remember to breathe; this isn't a rap contest, but simply an avenue for you to project knowledge to the ones around you. Speak naturally by breathing calmly.
You've done your research, you've rehearsed the heck out of your topic, well, now's the time to get on that stage and say it!
The Bane Of Public Speaking
“It's human nature to want to be accepted. Overcome stage fright by just continuing to speak.”
Some sort of fear has always been the limiting factor to growth. In the case of public speaking, it’s called stage fright.
Nevertheless, like every other form of fear, the only way to silence stage fright is by being consistent (with speaking), and continuing to just do it afraid;
Your first speech would most likely suck, but rest assured, your tenth attempt would be better than your fifth, and your hundredth would surpass your first by a long shot.
Keep learning from every single attempt you make and continue to take steps in growing your skill, remember, it's all a learning experience.
The point is to never stop speaking, as earlier stated, it's the little drops that make an ocean.
Your words have the power to transform lives,
You’re worthy of being heard;
There's so much within you,
So much that’s eager to break forth,
So go on and give yourself an outlet,
Go on and begin your journey...of speaking out loud.
