YOU might be a leader, entrepreneur or just a public speaker; you need to master professional presentation and public speaking.
We sell our brands, products or services through connecting or using the power of words and our bodies.
Boardroom dynamics are shaped by how we speak and express our ideas. The effectiveness in teamwork is controlled on how we communicate and share the vision and idea as team members.
This article is for chief executive officers, the C-suite executives in general, leaders and anyone who wants to use professional presentation or speaking to create value or make money.
We are always communicating and the ability to cultivate that skill determines the level of influence in the community.
Physiological communication
We are always communicating inside our bodies. Have you walked into a room with someone, after your meeting you are drained?
We are always interacting with our bodies. We could not be aware of it, but we are always communicating using vibrations, emotions, feelings or sensory faculties and hormones.
- The art of effective communication
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As leaders or professional speakers there is a need to master our bodies and our intuition or gut feelings and how we send that to the world around us.
Perception is central and key when addressing an audience or your target market, therefore, it is imperative that you meet the grade and standard expected.
So, who we think we are when we step on stage, changes the ambiance or the aura of the room. The more you positively communicate to your inner being, the better you become.
Self-conceptualisation becomes unavoidable and must be defined and re-defined when addressing an audience, reviewing and rebranding so as to keep up with growing trends on how best to appeal to a target market. Communication starts inside, before it’s painted by your words.
Neuroplasticity
The mind is a powerful organ that we have. Neuroplasticity is a construct of two words: Neuro (Brain) and Plasticity (changeable).
You mind can be improved. You can lose anything else but pray that you do not lose your mind.
Your brain has an ability and agility to stretch and become better and that shapes what you will say with your mouth.
Your words are the by-product of your wit (wisdom). Improve your mind, in your interest, and you become a better presenter in that regard. Brian Tracy once said, “your brain is like a muscle it grows with exercise.”
Author, speaker, poet and life-coach Rabison Shumba wrote: “The level of your mental exposure will determine the level of your success.” If you want to improve your speaking, feed your brain with good mental nutrients.
By improving your mind, you become the better version of an orator and yourself. Grow your mind and that builds your speaking or presentation craft.
Your vocal image
There is a need to master your voice. Your voice exudes or reveals the inner colour, creativity or candour. Do not say something before you are sure of your inner clarity.
The best critic of your voice is you. Record yourself and know the areas that you want improved. Look for a speech coach or therapist to help you overcome your weakness and polish your speaking craft.
Pronunciation is one way that shapes your vocal image. This is how to push, shape, enunciate, and roll your words matters. Take time to learn novel words through reading widely and that will improve your diction.
Reading opens up a whole new dimension for a speaker, that way you are well-versed and well-read about what is happening around you and that gives a degree of autonomy on the subject that you are delivering on and you remain relevant and appealing.
You need to have different paint brushes as a speaker. What do we mean? There is nothing so humiliating in front of a crowd like having a limited choice of words to use (or in painting your story/speech) and end up repeating the words. Grow your diction and let these words come out with clarity, art, and exuberance.
Your resonance is important as a speaker. Resonance speaks of tonality; how you phrase your words.
It is easy to know if a speaker is commanding you or trying to reach out to you. It is easy to know if the speaker has aggression or has empathy.
This is shaped by your pitch, pace and even your emotional state. Resonance helps you bond with your audience. Language cannot be ignored when speaking to an audience.
The late former South African President Nelson Mandela once said: “When you speak to a man in a foreign language you speak to his mind, but if you speak to him in his language you speak to his heart”, use a language that speaks to the culture and philosophy of life of your audience so as to get the desired effect.
Stories, experiences and rhetorical questions make good narrative hooks for audience engagement.
“So, one time I got into a fight with my Boss….” or “Did you know that the existence of heaven remains unproven?’ or “On my travel to India I experienced…” these narrative hooks are so engaging and captivating for a crowd or audience.
A good and grand opening is always a “winner” in that it captivates, creates intrigue and offers exciting possibilities to the audience.
Every time you stand in front of an audience aim to allure, communicate, engage, persuade and to influence change.
Jonah Nyoni is an author, speaker, and leadership trainer. He can be contacted on Twitter @jonahnyoni. WhatsApp: +263 772 581 918
Otildah Ndhlovu is a professional public speaker, certified communicator and rhetoric specialist and a teacher.
