SpeakingSherpa

Become an Inspiring Speaker

How To Draw During Your Presentation

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If you want to deliver the most inspiring and motivating presentation possible, then your best choice is to use no slides at all.  Doing so allows your audience to keep their eyes on you at all times and to use the visual portion of their brain to imagine how they will apply the amazing advice you are giving.

The second best choice is to draw a simple picture.  My personal favorite example is Simon Sinek’s TEDxPugetSound presentation from 2009.  At exactly two minutes into his eighteen minute talk, Simon walks to a flip chart, picks up a marker, and draws his famous Golden Circle. Imagine a target with three concentric circles.  “WHY” is in the bull’s eye.  “HOW” is in the middle circle. In the outer circle is “WHAT.”  This simple drawing illustrates how great leaders inspire and how exceptional companies thrive.

Here are some simple public speaking tips for drawing during your presentation:

Tip #1: Make Your Drawings Simple

You do not need to be a great artist to pull this off.  Just make your drawing simple, obvious, and legible.  Make your text and figures as large as possible.

Tip #2: Pause While Drawing

One of the rules of public speaking is to never turn your back to your audience. There is no way to follow this rule when you draw.  If you are drawing on a flip chart, your head is going to be turned away even if you manage to position the rest of your body sideways.  Stop speaking while drawing.  Your audience will not even notice that you stopped speaking since they will be concentrating on the picture being created.

Tip 3: Draw One Picture Only

Many speakers make the mistake of drawing or writing too much.  The audience does not need you to take notes for them.  Your entire talk should have one central theme and the one figure you draw should completely express your core message.

Tip 4: Draw In Pieces

Since you will not be speaking while drawing (see Tip #2), you do not want to draw too much at any one time.  In Simon Sinek’s TED Talk referenced above, he actually draws out the entire why/how/what Golden Circle all at once.  A better way to do this would have been to first draw the the three concentric circles but hold back on the text. Then, he could have written just “WHY” and expanded on that.  He could have done the same thing for “HOW” and “WHAT” until the entire drawing was complete.

Tip 5: Remember To Put Your Pen Down When Not Drawing

This one is self-explanatory but you would be surprised at how many speakers hold onto their pen like Linus holding his security blanket.

Tip 6: Hide Your Drawing When You Do Not Need It

For as much good as the drawing does to create a visual representation of your core message, its mere existence takes your audience’s attention away from you.  If you are using a flip chart, create your drawing on the second page so you can hide it with a blank first page.  If you are using a whiteboard, there is not much you can do.  This is the same concept that applies to using the “B” key to blank your slides in PowerPoint and to hiding props when not in use.

Tip 7: Do Not Draw And Use Slides

In speaking, there is such as thing as ‘too much of a good thing.’  Either draw or use slides.  Trying to do both is clumsy and suggests that you forgot to put something into a slide.

Try It Out!

Outside of using no slides at all, drawing is one of the most powerful techniques you can use to reinforce your core message.  Next time you speak, come up with a simple graphic that you can use to gradually reveal the key points of your talk.

How To Cure Excessive Movement When Speaking

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At the beginning of your speaking journey, nervous energy pours out everywhere – most notably through your legs.  Some speakers are glued in one spot like a deer in the headlights.  Many more dance in place, rock back and forth, or take a random stroll.

Before you can do the best thing – which is to move only with purpose – you need to gain control and awareness of your movement.  Here is a three step process to cure excessive movement while speaking.

Step 1: Give a speech without moving

If you move too much, the first thing you need to do is go cold turkey.  Keep yourself in a single spot with your feet shoulder width apart and your weight balanced. If you are addressing a U-shaped audience, then you should reorient your feet so that your whole body is facing the individual you are engaged with just as you would in normal conversation.

Step 2: Move silently at transitions

Once you have mastered the awareness and control to stand still, you are ready to reintroduce movement.  Start your speech in the middle of the stage as you normally would.  As you transition from your introduction into the body of your speech, take a verbal pause a move to a new location.  Remember to take casual yet purposeful steps and to hold your head up with confidence.  It should only take you a couple of seconds to move and your audience will appreciate the extra mental processing time.  You should repeat the process at transitions ultimately returning to center stage for your conclusion.

Step 3: Move with purpose

Your ultimate goal is to move with purpose.  That means treating the floor like a theatrical stage with specific locations for characters, places, and themes.

Try it out!

Curing excessive movement will take practice.  If you are in Toastmasters and there is enough time, try doing two table topics.  Do the first minute speech without moving.  Do the second one moving only at transitions.  Moving with purpose requires careful planning and should be reserved for your next prepared speech.

How To Add Humor To Your Speech

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I am not naturally funny.  At least I do not think I am.  But, sometimes we all want to tap into our inner Jerry Seinfeld.  This article will give you a few simple techniques to bring humor to your presentations

The fundamental principle to remember is that humor is rooted in surprise. As human beings, we delight in a twist that challenges our expectations and our sensibilities. For example, consider that the following joke attributed to Joe Pasquale: “See this, it’s my step ladder. My real one left when I was three.” Or better still, at least if you are a math nerd or know one, “An independent variable is one that does not need other variables to feel good about itself.” (Attribution unknown)

The examples I use below are drawn from the best practices of the keynote speakers with the most views on TED.com.

Tip 1: Self-deprecating humor is easy and effective

As a society, we are conditioned to keep up appearances. So, we laugh with automatic delight when someone lets their guard down and reveals that they are in fact human. We laugh when others reveal their bad judgment. We laugh when they share their character flaws. We even laugh when people share stories of their physical pain – as long as they managed to survive. Mel Brooks once said: “[From your perspective] tragedy is when you break a nail, comedy is when I fall through an open manhole and die.”

In her 2008 TED talk, brain researcher Jill Bolte Taylor described how she studied her own stroke as it happened. This topic could bring people to tears. And yet, Ms. Taylor had her audience rolling on the floor laughing by revealing to them what a super-nerd she is: “And in that moment my right arm went totally paralyzed by my side. Then I realized, ‘Oh my gosh! I’m having a stroke! I’m having a stroke!’ And the next thing my brain says to me is, ‘Wow! This is so cool.’ “This is so cool! How many brain scientists have the opportunity to study their own brain from the inside out?”

Tip 2: Exaggerated reality is always good for a laugh

The simple way to express humor through exaggerated reality is to put a normal person in an extraordinary situation or an extraordinary person in a normal situation. Some examples of this are nonchalantly ignoring extreme danger, excessive reactions to minor offenses, and unrelenting futility.

Sir Ken Robinson, the most viewed TED speaker of all time, puts an extraordinary person – Shakespeare – in an ordinary situation: “Because you don’t think of Shakespeare being a child, do you? Shakespeare being seven? I never thought of it. I mean, he was seven at some point. He was in somebody’s English class, wasn’t he? How annoying would that be? ‘Must try harder.’ Being sent to bed by his dad, you know, to Shakespeare, ‘Go to bed, now,’ to William Shakespeare, ‘and put the pencil down. And stop speaking like that. It’s confusing everybody.’”

Tip 3: We love to bring down authority

Experts who study why we laugh have determined that people laugh when they feel a sense of superiority. This of course results in some very cruel and offensive humor that you should steer clear of in your keynotes, not to mention in your life. However, there are some constituencies that it is still politically correct to make fun of such as academics and politicians.

Social scientist Hans Rosling, in his 2007 TED talk on global economic development takes aim at the academic elite. “But one late night, when I was compiling the report I really realized my discovery. I have shown that Swedish top students know statistically significantly less about the world than the chimpanzees… I did also an unethical study of the professors of the Karolinska Institute — that hands out the Nobel Prize in Medicine, and they are on par with the chimpanzee.”

Tip 4: Embed humor in dialogue

Any strong keynote includes discrete bundles of story and fact and all well-told stories are dialogue rich. That should give you plenty of opportunity to embed humor in your characters’ dialogue. Rather than describe how she was feeling, Jill Bolte Taylor in the example above expertly incorporates humor in internal dialogue. Similarly, Sir Ken Robinson places the humor in the words of Shakespeare’s English teach and Shakespeare’s father.

Tip 5: Learn to “riff”

You are likely to ask the question: “How funny do I need to be in a keynote?” To answer that question, consider the extremes. Professional standup comics deliver four to five jokes per minute. That is too much for a keynote and actually quite superhuman. In contrast, Bill Gates delivered one joke every ten minutes in one of his TED talks.

In my moderately scientific analysis, the most viewed TED speakers deliver an average of one joke per minute in their keynote speeches. The best top out around two jokes per minute. The secret is that the jokes are not evenly spread out. When they hit a funny theme, they ‘riff’ on the theme with clusters of three, progressively funnier quips. Sir Ken Robinson is the master of this.

Try it out!

Public speaking can be nerve wracking and trying to tell jokes often heightens your anxiety level. But, you just need to ask yourself, what is the worst that can happen? The worst is that one of your jokes will bomb and no one will laugh. So what. No one is going to remember. No one is going to talk about your failed attempt at humor at the water-cooler. You will not end up destitute. The next time you get a chance to speak, try to be funny. As with inventions, the secret to getting more laughs is simply to attempt more jokes. Just remember to keep it clean.

Avoid Using Different Slides On Different Screens

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On March 29, 2012, I attended the Post Advertising Summit hosted by media agency Story Worldwide.  The event featured flawless visuals created by Jon Thomas, founder of Presentation Advisors.

During the event, I saw a presentation trick that I had not previously come across in a smaller venue.  The stage was set up with two screens displaying visuals from two different slide decks.  To control the two sets of slides, speakers were given two wireless presenters – one for their left hand and one for their right.

My first reaction was “Wow, that is really cool!”  The first speaker had practiced thoroughly in advance to master the technique.  He changed slides effortlessly as he spoke – right, left, right, left.  Another presenter showed questions on the left screen then revealed answers on the right.

Before launching into criticism, I want to share how clever this idea is.  I kept thinking of dueling pianos as I was watching.  Moreover, I deeply appreciate that growth comes from risk taking and I praise the organizers for taking a chance.

As the event progressed, I began to see three significant challenges with the approach:

Challenge #1: Eye Contact

One of the fundamental rules of public speaking is to maximize eye contact with your audience.  Dueling projectors turn the stage into a tennis match with the audience’s eyes darting back and forth to the screens leaving the speaker as a lonely net in the middle.  Less experienced speakers kept turning back and forth when referencing the visuals. Though I was bathed in great visuals, I felt the presenters lost their connection with me as a listener.   It became about the technology and not about the audience.

Challenge #2: Hand Gestures

Another fundamental rule of public speaking is making natural, albeit magnified, hand gestures.  Even one wireless presenter device is inhibiting.  Two is downright distracting since the speaker looks like they are waving their fists around.  I especially appreciated a tip that Rory Vaden shared with me when I met him at a Toastmasters conference.  Rory keeps a super low-tech wireless presenter in his pocket so his hands are totally free.  To advance the slide, he very subtly clicks the button by pushing on the outside of his pocket. That is a great trick when you do not have a well-rehearsed production team to change the slides for you.

Challenge #3: Coordination

As the conference wore on, several presenters struggled with the dual screen, dual deck format. One speaker made the mistake of putting both wireless slide changers in the same hand and needed assistance recovering.  Others struggled with remembering which display the desired slide was being shown on.

The Bottom Line

Using two screens with two different slide decks is a clever presentation innovation.  If all the stars are aligned with expertly crafted material, a well practiced speaker, and slide control from the production team in the back of the room, then the technique can be effective.  I think this would be a reasonable approach in a very large keynote where most of the audience is relying on jumbo screens the entire time.  In my opinion, the trade off of eye contact for entertainment is not worth it in a smaller venue.

Avoid Self Deprecating Humor That Undermines Your Authority

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A few weeks ago, I listened to a speaker who had his audience in stitches by employing a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.  Eager to add a new trick to my repertoire, I decided to use the same approach in a meeting later the same day.

In that meeting, I shared several insights on customer behavior that my team uncovered using sophisticated analytical techniques.  At one point, I referenced myself as a “super nerd” and got a pretty good laugh.  I walked out of the room feeling I had mastered the technique.  But that feeling did not last for long…

As I walked away with one of my colleagues, he said “You know you really don’t need to do that.”  When I asked what he meant, he said, ‘Self-deprecating humor is powerful, just avoid using it in ways that undermine your authority on the subject you are speaking about.’

In his excellent critique of Daniel Pink’s 2009 TED Talk on motivation, blogger Andrew Dlugan summed up the same thing: “When using self-deprecating humor, don’t poke fun at your expertise in a way which weakens your credibility.”  In that speech, Dan Pink was using the master metaphor of building a legal case.  However, he referenced his poor performance in law school to get a laugh.

Here are a few quick tips for how you should use self-deprecating humor:

Tip 1: Use self-deprecating humor that does not undermine your authority

Revealing flaws that weaken your credibility on the topic you are speaking about is a sign of insecurity.  In contrast, revealing other information, such as unrelated past errors in dating judgement, will humanize you and build your connection with your audience.

Tip 2: Embed self-deprecating humor in the dialogue of other characters

By implanting humor in the dialogue of other people in your story, you will get twice as many laughs.  Saying “My wife thinks I’m an idiot” is simply not as funny as telling a story where your wife says, “Honey, I love you but you are an idiot!”.  Innocent comments made by children are also particularly effective.

Tip 3: Expose the elephant in the room

In the middle of winter, I arranged to meet photographer and creativity expert Joseph DeRuvo, a speaker that I recruited to present at TEDxMillRiver.  I told Joseph that I am easy to spot since I’m 6’5″, 205 lbs and I wear a big black parka and black ski cap.  Joseph said, “You will have an easier time spotting me since I do not wear shoes.”  Joseph won.  Though he has some valid reasons for eschewing shoes, his decision to highlight that fact was not only funny but also reinforced his personal brand as an artist and an innovator.

Try It Out!

Test out self-deprecating humor in your next conversation, meeting, or speech. Embed the humor in the dialogue of other characters while telling a story.  But, most importantly, steer clear of humor that undermines your personal brand or the perception your expertise on the topic at hand.

15 Tips For Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking

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If you are terrified of public speaking, here are 15 best practices that will help you succeed on your big day.

In the weeks and days before your speech…

1. Be well prepared by practicing out loud at least three times in a safe, feedback rich environment.  Gathering a group of friends or going to a Toastmasters meeting trumps speaking to the mirror for two reason.  First, it simulates a real setting.  Second, you are more likely to actually practice once you commit to a scheduled practice time.

2. Visit the room well in advance of the presentation date to get comfortable with the layout and what it feels like to stand on a stage.

3. Gain clarity on all logistical details such as the room setup, expected audience size and expectations, key contacts, and audio-visual considerations

4.  Exercise when you are feeling stressed about your upcoming speech.

5.  Practice the following progression if you are extremely afraid of public speaking.  (I learned this by watching Richard Butterfield coach an extremely reluctant speaker):
a. Start by speaking while seated in a chair
b. Transition to speaking while standing behind the chair – possibly putting your hands on the back of the chair for safety
c. Move to the side of the chair- perhaps keep one hand on the back of the chair for safety
d. Next, get in front of the chair
e. Finally, have someone take the chair away

6. Use positive self-talk and imagine yourself giving a successful presentation.

On the day of your speech…

7. Arrive early to get comfortable with your environment and to take care of any last minute logistics

8. Network with you audience before your speech and ask them “what do you hope to hear?”

9. Double check all audio-visual technology and always have a “Plan B” such as a one page outline (preferred) or a printed copy of your slide deck

10. Shake your hands and arms vigorously just before you take the stage assuming you are out of sight of your audience.  This will release nervous energy.

During your speech…

11. Remember that your audience wants you to succeed

12. Pause and slow down since nerves will make you speak too quickly

13. Take slow, deliberate diaphragmatic breaths (expand your stomach when you breathe in and contract your stomach when you breathe out; if you are doing this right, your shoulders will not move)

14. Keep notes in your pocket.  You will probably never need them, but having them there will settle your subconscious.

15. Focus on having a conversation with individual members of your audience.  You accomplish this by making eye contact with individuals for a sentence or a thought – about three to five seconds – before moving on to the next person in a random pattern.