I read a fantastic article from Cara Magazine by Donal Cronin. It was his idea to use Obama as an example, btw. This is basically the bones of his article, as told by me.
Remember my borderline rant post I did a few days back? I’ve decided to get off my ass about it. I’m going to summerize his article to you about public speaking, about how to improve your skill, how to stop boring your audiences and best of all, how to become successful at selling your point. (Which, I hasten to add, is different to selling yourself).
THE ORT OF ORATORY
My title, not his :)
As I ranted spoke about earlier, public speaking could just be the most important skill out there. Okay, we have our new technological advances with e-mail, IM and whatever, but at the end of the day, people (myself included) enjoy the personal touch of a phone call or a face-to-face meeting.
In this article, I’m going to be drawing similarities and points from some of the biggest speeches from one of the greatest speakers of the modern world: Barack Obama
Before we continue, let us just sit back and think just how important words are. Using our presidential analogy, didn’t Kennedy end the Cuban Missile Crisis by negotiating with Khrushchev to withdraw his missiles?
“Just words” have huge power, especially when delivered with the passion and eloquence of an orator such as Obama. When we listen to him, we think “Just how does he do it??” It’s actually a few simple rules – nothing big. Rules that can be applied by anyone, anywhere. If you’re an executive in a boardroom, a student in second or third level institute, or a lecturer, absolutely anyone.
1. When You’re On, You’re On
When it’s your turn to talk, talk. Nothing makes an audience tune out of a speech like “Thank you very much for this opportunity to talk to you. Special thanks to X, Y and Z, my gorgeous wife.. yaddah yaddah yaddah.
No. That’s wrong. When an audience hears this familiar, formulaic approach, it’s immediate switch off.
When Obama secured the democratic nomination, he began: “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer”
Straight to the point, no waffle. Perfect
2. You’re Talking to One Person, and One Person Only
There may be 10, 20, 100, 1000 in your audience, but as far as you’re concerned, you’re giving this speech to one person, and one person alone. Refrain from saying “everyone in the audience tonight…”, because people love thinking that they’re having a one-on-one conversation with you, even if it’s not true. Refer to *everything* as singular. “You” this and “you” that all the way. Again, I quote Obama
“Today I say to you that the challenges we [you and I] face are serious and they are many”
3. Use the Rule of Three
In writing, the rule is that things that come in threes have a lovely rhythm. Even if you don’t know it, we’re subconsciously aware of the rule. Isn’t there something oddly satisfying about “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”?
Obama: “I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation… block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand”
He does this during his speech again, and again, and again.
4. Be Human. It’s OK
So many, I’d go as far as to say “too many” people seem to think that when you’re in front of a committee, you have to be superhuman. No matter who you are, even if you’re leader of the free world, in fact, you’re still allowed connect with people in the audience. Remember Obama talking about getting that presidential puppy? That was a subtle connection with the parents of the audience.
”Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you’ve earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House”
5. Talk Normally
Use simple, everyday language. Two types of words are “first degree words”, which are words you’d use in normal conversation. You have the other type, which include words like “infrastructure”, or “paradigm shifts”. These are second degree words, and they mean absolutely nothing. This distances you from the audience, which contradicts Point #4.
6. Paint a Picture, Tell a Story
People relate most of all to stories, examples, analogies and anecdotes. They relate to them emotionally and best/most crucially of all, they remember them. Our brains are wired for story. If you have a point to get across, forget about PowerPoint and concentrate on telling a story.
Speaking of PowerPoint, dear PP sticklers: would Obama have been more memorable in his inauguration address if he’d had a pretty PP presentation with 20 odd slides? Nah, didn’t think so.
Writing your next Speech:
Who’s gonna be there?
Do some research. How many are gonna be there? Will they be seated or standing? What position am I in the rotation of speakers? These sort of questions will help you decide how long or short your speech should be. I err on the side of brevity. If, when you finish speaking, people are left wanting to hear more, you have succeeded.
No slides
No really. By having slides, you distance yourself. You become of one these corporate geeks. You’re a normal person and you want to be seen as such
No Fumfering
No one really cares about the five minutes of background you give. Get to the point, quickly. Again, brevity.
Rehearse out Loud
Deliver your speech out loud a number of times in advance. The first time you do this you’ll probably find yourself reading a lot of it and remembering little of your own accord. Do this five times and you’ll find the opposite occurs.
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I welcome all and any comments below. What are our thoughts on public speaking? Any you’d like to add? What are your experiences with public speaking? Any special things you do?
Great post. Most keep an eye out in Cara for the article. Something like http://www.toastmasters.ie/ Toastmasters would be something that can help.
Paul
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There is of course the practicalities of speaking as well, like eye contact, adjusting tone of voice for emphasis, gesturing or the lack there of and humour! Debating was key to teaching me these!
Obama can really deliver the words, and Jon Favreau crafts them first. So so so awesome.
Nicely summarised sir. Donal is spot-on, as ever, with his advice; but I think he makes his most important point at the beginning of his article: “public speaking could just be the most important skill out there.”
So true. Ability is essential, but ability without the skills to present it / talk about it to an audience is ability with its hands tied behind its back. Public speaking and presentation are THE key career-enhancing skills in the knowledge economy. You have to get good at this. Have to.
And in the knowledge economy, information on this topic is literally falling from the sky. Nancy Duarte, Les Posen, Max Atkinson, Seth Godin, Lisa Braithwaite, Garr Reynolds, and many others are handing over the good stuff free, gratis and for nothing. Start with the book learning (blog-learning? blearning?) and then you can start thinking about opportunities to flex your wings.
Mulley, myself and others are noodling around with some ideas for a Preso-Camp here before the end of the year.
Tomorrow ze vorld!
Yes, hopefully we can turn the world to our thinking when it comes to public speaking. You’re also right that we have so many great resources too!
I love it. And I need to get you to edit my next submission – you get to the point even more directly than I do. I certainly need your help with illustrations.
Would you mind if I included ‘The Ort of Oratory’ on our website (new one going up in a few weeks’ time)?
Regards, Donal
Hi Donal
Glad you like my synopsis! Feel free to include it on your website, it’d be an honour.
I found your article in the inflight magazine of an Aer Lingus flight my dad was on. He knew I kept this blog and also I enjoyed debating, being on my school’s debating team. He also told me about Carr Communications, is it true you train politicians for the media spotlight? Communications has always been a subject I enjoyed and had a huge interest in (hence this blog!), so I’d love to learn more about you and what you do.