Better Speaker Series Workshop - 14 Nov 2009

Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2009 by areaw7
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The expectant audience burst into laughter as DTM Dr. Arul explained that one of the techniques to take the fear out of public speaking is to visualize that it is a one-to-one conversation. Look at one member of the audience, talk to him or her for 30 seconds. Then repeat this process with another member of the audience. At the end of your speech, you will definitely get an evaluation regarding "Fantastic eye contact !"

DTM Dr. Arul sharing with us on how to take the fear out of public speaking

He also shared with us that we think too much of what the audience will think of us, especially if we have made a mistake. That in itself causes us to have an inordinate fear of public speaking when in reality, members of the audience just want us to do our best. So, cast away these thoughts and practise, practise, practise. Just before starting your speech, take a deep breath, exhale slowly, relax your muscles. Then let the show begin !

Division Governor DTM Soh Fong Wai and Area Governor W7 Tan Lay Theng in deep discussion during the break
DTM LeAnn Tang and DTM Ho Fong Ming having a quick run-through of microphone and pointer device during the break
From DTM Ho Fong Ming, we learnt that when creating an introduction, don’t upstage the speaker, don’t embarrass the speaker and don’t over praise. The speaker should not be left wondering was I being introduced or is the TME introducing someone else ?

Fong Ming also shared that on preparation and practice, she agrees with Dr. Arul that practise, practise and practise is very important, at least 300 times for a speech contest. Instead of memorizing the entire speech, we can store it using ideas and key words, to avoid a blank out during our speech. We should also work on bite sizes for maximum impact. This will provide the sizzling effect to a speech.

Her parting words to us were: LOOK YOUR BEST, DO YOUR BEST, BE YOUR BEST.

DTM Ho Fong Ming encouraging us to ask for feedback and work on improvements

Next in our line-up is DTM LeAnn Tang. In concluding our speech, we should achieve closure and make an impact. We may summarize the main points, taking 5 to 10% of the speech time.

For impromptu speaking, the main idea is to: Listen, Pause, Confirm, Speak Up and then Stop. We may express an opinion by agreeing, disagreeing or remain neutral on the topic. Do not apologize, do not ramble and do not invent.

DTM Loghandran had the audience in constant laughter with his skillful presentation on Body Language, Select Your Topics and Know Your Audience. I particularly like his explanation on inappropriate body movement such as Adam’s pose, roti canai, spider push up, and lion in a cage. Emotion is action, he says, and you should smile with your eyes.

DTM Loghandran explaining to us regarding Body Language

Members of the audience working on Body Language instructions from DTM Loghandran
Definitely a bunch of active participating audience!

In selecting your topics, he suggested to first find the theme, then fix the transition (from one main point to the next) and finally, decide on the speech title.

In knowing your audience, do note that the audience likes to be trained, entertained and persuaded. The art of persuasion is not forcing your idea on someone else but rather presenting the facts in a different way or providing new information to change the audience’s mind. He concluded by reminding us that in each one of us, there is a genius speaker.

The above was just a few of the priceless gems that we gathered from our four superstar DTM speakers. It has been a wonderful session of learning. Amazingly, although each speaker had a speaking slot of 30 or 45 minutes, it did not feel as if 30 minutes had gone by. One of the priceless gift of a great speaker is that he or she makes you feel that you are having such a fabulous learning experience that you don’t even want the session to end.

However, all good things must come to an end. We bid them farewell with heartfelt appreciation that these four speakers were willing to spend an afternoon with us, with no financial gain whatsoever, taking home with them the satisfaction that they have done their bit to help the rest of us to be Better Speakers.

DTM Dr. Arul receiving appreciation gift from LGM Francis Ng

DTM Ho Fong Ming receiving appreciation gift from LGM Francis Ng
DTM LeAnn Tang receiving appreciation gift from LGM Francis Ng

DTM Loghandran receiving appreciation gift from LGM Francis Ng

Contributed by Angeline Lee

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