Public Speaking Strategies for Career Growth

I've dedicated over 2,000 hours in the past three years to coaching professionals, helping them become more authentic, engaging and persuasive communicators. The ability to command an audience’s attention to tell an effective narrative is crucial for influencing others. With Kaiser Permanente, I recently delivered a two-day intensive public speaking course advising clinicians and hospital leadership on becoming more confident speakers. Here are some best practices that separate good speakers from masterful ones. These tips will be beneficial for: (1) Preparing for your upcoming speaking engagement or presentation. (2) Leading critical internal meetings where persuasion is key. (3) Any situation where you need to effectively convey a story to your audience. Best practices:  (1) 🖼 Use words that evoke vivid imagery in the minds of your audience, no corporate buzzword bingo! (2) 🔬 Pay close attention to audience reactions (or lack thereof) in real-time. If you notice eyes glazing over and no “nodding along” where it should be obvious, you haven’t landed your message. Vary your tone, cadence, and volume or simply repeat your message to make it stick. (3) 👋 If using hand gestures, ensure they are deliberate, crisp and clearly visible to the camera to avoid distracting your audience (otherwise all they'll see is you shrugging your shoulders!) (4) 🎙 Adjust your distance from the microphone to ensure clear, undistorted audio at an appropriate volume (don't yell!) and so you can effectively play with vocal range  (5) 👀 Avoid looking at yourself on the screen; it will derail your delivery. Instead, rotate through the 'gallery view' to see all attendees and vibe off audience energy (6) 📒 Familiarize yourself with your material to speak naturally. But if using notes, place them at eye level so it’s not obvious you’re looking down to refer to them What advice from your virtual speaking experiences resonates with you? I'd love to hear your top tips! #publicspeakingtips #executivecoaching #communicationskills

I remember being scared to death to speak in front of my classmates.    For most people, fear of public speaking is greater than fear of death! Being able to speak effectively to groups is a key leadership skill, but fear can hold us back, cause us to doubt our abilities and shy away from opportunities that could propel us forward. I decided to follow my mother’s advice and take a public speaking class. Fast forward to today, over forty years later. I learned public speaking skills, taught university classes, and became a marketing and sales director.  I went on to become a paid speaker, life coach and the host of The Hero Within Podcast.  Learning public speaking was one of the most important career decisions I've ever made. Through the years, I've had the privilege of coaching others to become better entrepreneurs and leaders.   Whether it's delivering a sales pitch, leading a staff meeting, or engaging the audience, effective communication is critical to success. I continue to learn from my coaches who are helping me improve my presentation skills.  It isn't a one-time endeavor; it's an ongoing process that significantly enhances our effectiveness as a leader. Here are seven steps to becoming a better presenter and a more effective communicator: 1. Know your audience, their needs and interests.  Research and understand their problems and gear your message to solving a specific problem. 2. Become well versed in your content, allowing you to deliver it confidently.  Don’t memorize your material because then you’ll sound scripted.  Instead, be comfortable enough that you can talk about the main points from your heart. 3. Practice, practice, practice and practice some more!  It’s great to practice in front of a mirror, and it helps to become comfortable hearing your own voice. 4. Become an engaging storyteller to connect with your listeners.  Personal stories or hypothetical scenarios can make complex information more relatable to the audience. 5. Pay attention to your nonverbal body language, using posture, gestures and movement to enhance your impact.  Your posture conveys your level of confidence and your eye contact helps the audience build connection with you. 6. Manage nervousness by focusing on the excitement to share your message.  Instead of telling ourselves to “calm down,” reframing our anxiety as excitement is more effective because the feelings are nearly the same physiologically!    7. Actively seek feedback and continuously work to improve.  Be the first to give yourself feedback, assessing what you think went well and what you think you could improve.  You may also seek feedback from audience members, mentors, or your coach.  Take the feedback that you feel applies, disregard the rest and continue practicing.  See #3. By embracing these principles and dedicating yourself to ongoing growth, you’ll increase your speaking skills, empowering yourself to lead and inspire others with clarity and confidence.  

Tips for public speaking for security leaders: This is what I have learned from doing over 50 talks in the last 2 years. 𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀: - Launch right into the presentation. Do not start with an introduction or "good morning". - Ask someone else to introduce you. It lends itself to credibility. - Tell stories throughout the entire presentation - Know your material by heart - Leverage cues to jog your memory in case you get lost (e.g., an image to remind you of the story you are supposed to tell) - Practice out loud (I find this painful, but it really helps) - Pause frequently (3-5 seconds minimum, especially after you make a point) - Build in audience engagement (ice breakers, questions, simple exercises) - Take risks (it is only a risk to you, the audience won't even know) - Be vulnerable to fast track trust - Be confident. Even blindly confident if you have to. - Bring up a bottle of water and don't be afraid to take a sip. - If you freeze or get lost, just pause and collect yourself - Know your setup (hand mic vs. lapel mic, stage or classroom, etc.) - Know your audience and what they care about (e.g., execs vs. entry level) - Be yourself 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀: - Do not memorize verbatim - Do not worry about your hand movements - Don't read from the slides - Don't worry if the slide doesn't match up perfectly with what you are saying - Do not say things like "I forgot what I was about to say" or "I'm nervous" or "I'm sorry" during your presentation - Don't assume the people organizing the event know what they are doing (often they are volunteers and if you ask questions or tell them what you need it is very helpful) - Don't stress yourself out. Even if you bomb, people have very short memories. - Don't compare yourself to some TED speaker. They are literally the best of the best. The bar is much lower than you think. (Think NFL vs. College vs. High School levels) --- Any other tips from the great presenters out there? #publicspeaking #business #leadership

How we speak is just as important as what we say. Vocal presence can be a crucial part of a professional skillset, especially when it comes to commanding attention during meetings and presentations. Developing the ability to adjust your voice to the rooms you enter will increase your ability to get heard and inspire desired action and/or thinking. There are a number of lessons one can take to improve but you can also do a lot on your own. For example: > Practice breathing and pronunciation exercises > Speak with the diaphragm > Vary the tone, pace, and volume of your voice > Practice in front of friends, family, colleagues > Record and analyze your speeches I've personally leveraged a lot of learnings in my executive career from my days teaching gym classes where the task is to command a room and inspire everyone to put in their all - and come back for more. Taking on a side hustle that forces you to actively work on your voice can be great time investment. Will leave you with wise words once shared with me: "Just as the wind's voice complements the bursts of weather it carries, the rush and gusts we give our voices can complement our messages with our intentions." #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment

Resumes get you hired. But presentation skills get you promoted. And if you suffer from the following when presenting: - Dry mouth - Racing heart - Blotchy red skin Know this: You have the ability to pull yourself out of this death spiral. Here are 7 cheat codes for managing the fear of presenting to advance your career: —— 1. Simply Pause It might seem awkward, but there is nothing more powerful than a well-timed pause… • Make a strong point • Count to 5 in your head • Give your audience time to absorb —— 2. Hold Something Grab a water bottle, pen, slide advancer - whatever. This keeps you from collapsing (that means going inwards) You want your body to be open. Holding something keeps your arms away from you. —— 3. Avoid Memorizing You don’t want to sound scripted - and missing a line can cause you to panic... Instead, riff off an outline: • The opening line • The transition • The closing line —— 4. Slow Down We tend to rush things when we’re nervous. But it backfires. Take a breath. Slow down… • Speak slowly • It calms your nerves • Ensures everyone hears you —— 5. Move Around Staying still only enhances your nerves. Unlock yourself with movement to: • Reduce nervous energy • Keep your audience engaged • Use your space and body language —— 6. Embrace Nerves Feeling nervous before and during a presentation is normal. Remember: • It’s just energy • Embrace it, don’t fight it • Use it to fuel your passion —— 7. "...And It's OK Bud!" Our adrenaline can get the best of us. And you know what? It’s ok, bud! Try acknowledging it internally: ‘My mouth is dry, and it’s ok bud!’ ‘My heart is racing, and it’s ok, bud!’ Acknowledging what you're feeling lessens its power over you. —— If you found this useful, repost ♻️ this to your network and follow me (Nick Maciag) 🙌

📣Public speaking 🗣 is something that most local government managers have to do, in some cases a lot, throughout the course of their career - yet many receive little to no training on this key element of work life for the CAO. This is not an antidote to that reality, but a list of Top 10 helpful hints to those that endeavor to do the people’s work. 👇 1. ❌Do not read from the slides❌ Ever.   2. Relative to number one, always think of this - if you give out your presentation in advance and/or read from the slides, what value do you really bring to the presentation itself? 3. Practice any speech verbatim in the same type of environment (i.e. setting, sitting or standing, podium or not, etc) that you will find yourself in during the actual speech.  4. If there is a Q&A 🙋 style format post-speech, anticipate some questions and rehearse those responses in advance. Do not go into overplanning this Q&A part, though, as you will never be able to anticipate everything.  5. Should there be time before a public speaking engagement to chat with the audience, do it. Maximize this pre-speech time to break the ice.  6. Humor😂 is good and encouraged, pending the environment/setting - but do not go overboard and make sure to exercise tact and, shall we say, political correctness.  7. Engage the audience, even if there is not a Q&A. In other words, make significant and regular eye contact, move around if you can, do not look at the same people, etc.  8. Many of us have verbal fillers (e.g. - umm, ugh, so, you know what I mean, and so on and so forth, like, right, etc). It’s ok to have these, no one is perfect. Just work on them and recognize where and when they present themselves and work diligently to curb their regularity.  9. Unlike the NFL quarterback, I implore you - Do not go long. Ask in advance what the speech length is expected to be, or have in your head if there is not set time, some sort of rough estimate on the length. No one remembers if you end early, however, people will definitely remember those that go excruciatingly long. ⏳ 10. Finally, remember your purpose. If this is introducing a public hearing, you go in one direction. If it’s a speech introducing careers in local government to an MPA program, you handle it a touch differently. If it’s the local rotary club and you’re the monthly program, there’s a preferred setup for that. Know the audience and length, and center yourself on the purpose and mission of the speech. Why are you there? And what does the audience here need to know? Then, deliver a knock-out 👊 speech!

"Public Speaking Hacks: Quick Tips for a Powerful Presentation" Are you nervous about public speaking? You're not alone! Even the most experienced speakers feel the pressure. But don't worry, I've got your back. Whether it's a work presentation, a conference speech, or a special event toast, I know exactly what it takes to conquer your fear and deliver a presentation that people will remember. Let me share with you ten essential qualities to focus on when preparing your speech. 1. Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience's needs, interests, and expectations is crucial. Tailor your content and tone to resonate with them. 2. Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times. Familiarity with your material boosts confidence and helps you stay on track. 3. Structure Your Content: Organize your presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use a strong opening to grab attention, provide valuable content, and close with a memorable takeaway. 4. Visual Aids: Utilize visuals sparingly but effectively. Use slides, props, or graphics to complement your message, not overshadow it. 5. Body Language: Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use gestures purposefully. Your non-verbal cues can enhance your message or undermine it. 6. Connect Emotionally: Share personal anecdotes or stories to connect with your audience on an emotional level. People remember stories more than facts. 7. Breathe and Pace: Take deep breaths to calm your nerves and maintain a steady pace. Avoid rushing through your content. 8. Engage with Questions: Encourage interaction by asking questions or seeking input from your audience. This keeps them engaged and makes the presentation more interactive. 9. Be Prepared for the Unexpected: Anticipate potential hiccups like technical issues or unexpected questions. Have a backup plan and stay adaptable. 10. Seek Feedback: After your presentation, ask for constructive feedback. This will help you improve and grow as a speaker. Remember, even the most seasoned speakers started somewhere; practice is key to improving your public speaking skills. With these quick tips and some perseverance, you'll be well on your way to delivering powerful presentations that captivate your audience. So go out there, conquer your fear, and let your voice be heard! #presentationskills #publicspeaking #trainingtrainers #engagingpresenters #pywtsuccess #engagement

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀, 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹? The difference between a good career and an extraordinary one often comes down to one skill: 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: • Understand your audience and their needs • Understand the venue and its impact on the experience • Understand what your audience cares about • Plan the presentation with purpose; what are the goals of the presentation, how do you want to impact the audience, what’s your desired action from the audience • Understand the audience’s “language” so you can communicate in a manner they will understand. • Understand your audience’s learning style; auditory, visual, kinesthetic  • Understand the appropriate dress code for the environment 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • Get the audience engaged/involved • Take your audience on a journey, from where they are now to where they want to be • Communicate in the learning style of your audience or all three • Avoid complex language or jargon • Use visuals and other materials to support the presentation, not steal the show, or a script • Use the right level of “presence” for the audience • Be authentic to you and don’t try to be someone else 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • Get measurable feedback from the audience  • Measure the outcome of the presentation i.e booked meetings or sales • Get feedback from peers or coaches • Learn and improve from feedback Are you already applying some of these principles? Which ones would you like to develop more? I’d love to know what resonates most with you. Let me know in the comments. #ExecutivePresence #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth

I was a professional actor for almost two decades. So much of actor training applies directly to being a great speaker of any kind. PUBLIC SPEAKING TIP #1 - Focus on what you need from your scene partner (aka. your audience) Get clear on what you want your audience to do, think or feel. Be SPECIFIC and use ACTION VERBS. ✅ Inspire them to fund this initiative ✅ Rile them up to protest this [specific] inequity ✅ Urge them to take action now ✅ Coax them into coming back into the office ✅ Connect with them so we can build something beautiful together The benefits of doing this are huge: 🌟 You won't be worried about...well...YOU. It's an anxiety buster for sure. 🌟 Your gestures and voice will flow freely and enhance your message 🌟 You'll have a heck of a lot more fun. And so will they! #publicspeaking #communicationcoach #executivecoaching #empowerment #mindsetmatters #askformore

Public speaking! I used to be terrified of it. After doing 100+ talks, I can go up to any crowd and say “Howdy y’all 🤠” and even dance. How I’ve become confident in public speaking + advice: ⭐️ Talk to people as if they are your friends. Make eye contact and adjust your talk based on the vibe. Don’t stress about memorizing your speech word by word ⭐️ Understand your audience and what they want to learn. Start with a hook and have a clear takeaway ⭐️ Organize your content - have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion ⭐️ Practice in front of people. You can also record yourself. I found making YouTube and talking short-form videos helpful to make my content more concise and to the point. ⭐️ You can also use visual aids, like slides ⭐️ Attend events and observe speakers that speak well and what made them memorable I found a lot of value in volunteering to do a lot of talks and hosting events with Design Buddies to get plenty of practice while building my own audience. I still do volunteer and paid talks to get more practice. Reach out if you're looking for a speaker that can make any topic fun! My favorites are fireside chats, interviews, and podcasts where I don’t know where the conversation will go. --- 👋 Follow me on LinkedIn for more career and life tips 💬 If you were to do a TED talk, what would you like to talk about? Feel free to share in the comments! #PublicSpeaking #Networking #CareerAdvice #Career #CareerGrowth