The best advice that I’ve ever received about giving a presentation or speech is simply to be sincere, to be brief and to be seated. To me, that translates to always telling the truth because when you’re transparent and sincere, you’re much more believable.
Let go of wanting to please others, and focus instead on letting them see your human side. Next, being brief is about respect – whether you’re in front of an audience of one or a thousand, your best chance of connecting with them is to capture the essence of your message in a compelling story that moves them emotionally. Lastly, to be seated means to know when to stop.
A great talk captivates the listener, but the most memorable ones are those that leave me wanting more. Stanford’s Matt Abrahams has captured over 20 years of communication coaching into an indispensable book, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out. In it he shares 35 techniques to help you up your game. Here’s a glimpse —-