Thinking Things Through: September 2007

THINKING THINGS THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 2007

It’s not just the presentation . . .

Diane Grigg: Speaker, Coach, Mediator
Specializing in Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution
Looking for ways to improve your speaking skills? Call me at 847-965-8970.
Read more about my services at www.dianegrigg.com

You’ve taken time to develop your theme and organize your ideas. Now, before introductions, before you offer your opening words, consider these calming ideas.

Meet and greet. You’ll feel more comfortable as you deliver your speech or presentation if you allow time upfront to informally chat with your audience. These conversations ensure that you do not step in front of a group of strangers when it’s time to speak—and create opportunities to acquire information you can add to your presentation.
They’re rooting for you! Every person in your audience made a decision to invest time and energy in what you have to offer. So when you first stand before the group, take a deep breath, absorb your listeners with your eyes, and make a mental note of this: your audience is “with” you and “for” you!
Get excited about feedback. Questions and comments are a signal you’ve generated interest—and that’s exactly what you wanted to do! With audience feedback, you’ll be able to clarify what was fuzzy, discover additional needs, and learn about other perspectives. Respond to every inquiry (even if you are being challenged!) with a genuine thank you and a sincere answer. Audience feedback is a powerful gift: it provides ideas for future presentations—and can cement the connections you began building during the “meet and greet”!

Beyond their calming effect, I’ve found these strategies make speaking a great experience. Let me know how well they work for you!

Diane Grigg: Speaker, Coach, Mediator
Telephone 847-965-8970
www.dianegrigg.com