On Public Speaking
Public Speaking means speaking in front of an audience- formal or informal. And PS looms large like an asura! However competent a teacher or a manager is in front of his/her team, if you ask the person to do a presentation or speak in front of an audience, fear cramps most.
Well no one is to be blamed. When man evolved his brain did too. But the new brain- the prefrontal cortex merely grew upon the older one, the reptilian brain. In the olden days wild animals caused the classic fight or flight syndrome. Today the wild animal is replaced by the audience.
Yet PS is a skill that can be acquired. To acquire any skill one needs practice. I tell my students that they ought to rehearse for at least 27 times in different parts of their house, in front of different members at home, even in front of pets. Why 27? Actually there is no reason, it is just to get their attention and curiosity. It is a number that is incomplete and evokes the reaction - why 27, why not 20 or 30.. Well odd numbers have their charm!
When we practise our talk / presentation many many many times, the advantage is that on the D-day the flow occurs naturally.
Also remember:
Know your audience
Know your content
Know you are in command
The secret is only you know what you have prepared. So if you forget just carry on to the next point. Now of course a big advantage is the fluency in the language you are presenting .
Today I observed many students presenting seminars. Digital devices like ipad, tabs have replaced notes!!! I belong to the old world where I prefer not to look at notes as I talk.
One particular student stood out. He was so confident, so charming and so passionate about his topic. I learnt that he is a master in the topic and that he was going to represent India at an international event soon. No wonder!! Practice does make one perfect!!!!
Well no one is to be blamed. When man evolved his brain did too. But the new brain- the prefrontal cortex merely grew upon the older one, the reptilian brain. In the olden days wild animals caused the classic fight or flight syndrome. Today the wild animal is replaced by the audience.
Yet PS is a skill that can be acquired. To acquire any skill one needs practice. I tell my students that they ought to rehearse for at least 27 times in different parts of their house, in front of different members at home, even in front of pets. Why 27? Actually there is no reason, it is just to get their attention and curiosity. It is a number that is incomplete and evokes the reaction - why 27, why not 20 or 30.. Well odd numbers have their charm!
When we practise our talk / presentation many many many times, the advantage is that on the D-day the flow occurs naturally.
Also remember:
Know your audience
Know your content
Know you are in command
The secret is only you know what you have prepared. So if you forget just carry on to the next point. Now of course a big advantage is the fluency in the language you are presenting .
Today I observed many students presenting seminars. Digital devices like ipad, tabs have replaced notes!!! I belong to the old world where I prefer not to look at notes as I talk.
One particular student stood out. He was so confident, so charming and so passionate about his topic. I learnt that he is a master in the topic and that he was going to represent India at an international event soon. No wonder!! Practice does make one perfect!!!!
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