Daily Pill – A Beginner’s Guide to Public Speaking

The king is naked!

Welcome to the second episode of A Beginner’s Guide to Public Speaking!

When they’re stumped, kiddos ask: „Why?” Because they can’t admit they’re clueless, and in order not to lose their all-knowing aura, adults have a whole arsenal of replies aimed just to hush them up:

„Because that’s how it’s done.”, „Because I say so.”, „You’ll get it when you’re grown up.”, „You can’t get it. You’re too tiny.”

This kind of reply tells the child it’s beyond their depth, that they can’t and won’t be able to understand, and seriously undermines their confidence in their judgment. Tons of generations have been schooled to swallow this kind of argument, and now, many are easy prey for businesses with aggressive marketing tactics.

Amy Cuddy has massively shaped the concept of power posing.  She suggested all the feeble-feeling folks adopt poses that mirror agressive monkey stances. People have taken up these exercises, and the posture has become second nature.

That’s exactly what you want to do when you, a fine lady, chat with your family, present a project at a corporate board meeting, or pitch a product to a client, etc.

Go on, have a laugh, but her TED talk has 68 million views.

Another gent, quite the modest type in the views department, advocates for a very pious palm position, akin to monks and priests in prayer.

Why? Because that’s his decree. This new oddity, quite the opposite of Amy Cuddy’s advice, is totally baseless. Why should I do that? „That’s the way it’s done.” and this meme is copied in millions upon millions of minds.

In his TED talk, „How to speak so that people want to listen”, Julian Treasure dishes out all sorts of advice. Some make good sense, but he can’t hit the brakes and ventures into areas he doesn’t understand and suggests a voice exercise. You can check it out. He advises a vocalization where the voice starts deep and full and ascends to a very thin pitch. Who would ever fancy such a voice? Why make your voice squeak like a neglected door hinge?

Quite the contrary, as Julian Treasure himself shows, the voice makes a bold impression when it maintains its fullness throughout its range. Why suggest an exercise that could lead to unwanted reflexes? Because they’ve overreached their area of expertise by a country mile, but their success paints the illusion they’d be right no matter what they say.

Don’t go building statues of anyone. Always ask everyone: „Why?” and keep on until you get to an answer simple and clear enough. The flavor-of-the-month authorities may be forgotten and contradicted in the future, but in the meantime, they’ve taken advantage of the gullibility of the millions who’ve liked, shared, and spread their ideas.

Some of you probably know about the „Five Whys” series. Once everything has been simplified and made clear, do a once-over to see if this ultimate „Why?” indeed serves your real interest.

In class, I say there’s a six-year-old kid, Vasilica, sitting next to me, who tugs at my sleeve every time he doesn’t get what I’m saying and begs me to put it in simpler terms he can understand. In truth, Vasilica shields me from hiding my ignorance behind highfalutin words. He’s the kid who shouted: „The Emperor’s got no clothes on!”

Daily Pill – A Beginner’s Guide to Public Speaking – Negations

For a long time, at the beginning of my artistic and pedagogical career, I myself felt lost amidst a multitude of conflicting opinions and divergent theories related to communication. I didn’t know what or whom to believe. I nedeed A Beginner’s Guide to Public Speaking!

A simple search on YouTube can leave you in great confusion. Why? Because all the posts are made to sell and convince you that you have a problem for which they have the perfect and infallible solution.

I understand the confusion that someone who wishes to become a public speaker goes through. They don’t know where to start, what to choose to read, which course to attend.

The following advice will help them avoid wasting time, energy, enthusiasm, and money:

1. Eliminate advice that is based solely on negations:

„Don’t make that gesture,” „Don’t stand like that,” etc. Why? Because in most situations, we can react in many ways. If we eliminate just one option, it doesn’t mean we know what to do instead. Not making a gesture is one thing, but what gesture should you make? Not standing like that is another thing, but how should you stand? I’m sure you understand.

To delve deeper into this issue, let’s consider an example. Imagine a beginner public speaker who comes across a piece of advice that says, „Don’t make excessive hand movements.” While it may seem like a helpful tip, it fails to provide guidance on what specific gestures would be appropriate. Without clear alternatives or examples, the speaker is left wondering how to express themselves effectively.

Therefore, it is essential to seek guidance that offers affirmative and constructive suggestions. Instead of focusing on what not to do, aspiring public speakers should explore resources that provide them with a repertoire of positive and effective communication techniques. By shifting the focus to proactive recommendations, beginners can gain a better understanding of how to navigate their body language, vocal tone, and overall presence on stage.

Additionally, it is crucial to consider the context and adaptability of advice.

Public speaking situations can vary greatly, from formal presentations to informal discussions or persuasive speeches. What works in one context may not be suitable for another. Therefore, beginners should be cautious of oversimplified advice that applies blanket rules to all speaking scenarios. Instead, they should strive to develop a nuanced understanding of various speaking contexts and the specific demands and expectations they entail.

To further illustrate the importance of discerning advice, let’s consider the concept of stage presence. Many beginner public speakers may come across recommendations such as „Be confident” or „Command the stage.” While confidence is undoubtedly crucial, these general suggestions can be abstract and difficult to implement without concrete strategies.

In this case, it would be beneficial for beginners to seek guidance that breaks down the components of stage presence, offering practical techniques such as maintaining eye contact, using effective gestures, and projecting a clear and resonant voice.

In conclusion,

the journey of becoming a proficient public speaker can be overwhelming due to the abundance of information and conflicting advice available. By critically evaluating the advice they encounter and seeking guidance that provides practical and adaptable strategies, beginners can navigate this process more effectively.

It is essential to look beyond negations and embrace affirmative and constructive suggestions. Consider the context and specific demands of each speaking situation. With a discerning approach and a commitment to continuous learning, aspiring public speakers can develop their skills and confidently deliver impactful presentations.