Speaking in Public and Listening

WHAT IS PUBLIC SPEAKING?

Public Speaking is a way of sharing your ideas with
other people and of influencing other people.
PUBLIC SPEAKING PRODUCES ANXIETY IN MOST PEOPLE
3. Death
2. Snakes
1. Public Speaking
Peoples Biggest Fears
DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE
1. Nervousness is Normal
Actors are nervous before a play, politicians are
nervous before a speech, and athletes are nervous
before a big game.

Surveys show that 76% of experienced speakers
have stage fright before taking the floor.

DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE CONTD
2. Dealing with Nervousness

Rather than trying to eliminate every stage fright, you should transform it
from a negative force into positive nervousness.

Here are many ways you can turn your nervousness from negative force
into a positive one:

Acquire Speaking Experience

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Think Positively

Use the Power of Visualization

Know That Most Nervousness Is Not Visible

Dont Expect Perfection

Take a couple slow, deep breaths before you
start to speak

Make eye contact with your audience

As you are waiting to speak, quietly tighten and
relax your leg muscles, squeeze your hands
together and then release them

Concentrate on communicating rather than
worrying about stage fright

LISTENING IS IMPORTANT
Although most people listen poorly, there are
exceptions.
Top business people, and successful politicians are
all excellent listeners.
KINDS OF LISTENING
1. Appreciative Listening listening for pleasure
or enjoyment, as when we listen to music.
2. Empathic Listening listening to provide
emotional support for the speaker, as when a
doctor listens to a patient or when we listen to a
friend is distress
3. Comprehensive Listening listening to
understand the message of a speaker, as when
we attend a classroom lecture or listen to
directions
4. Critical Listening listening to evaluate a
message for purposes of accepting or rejecting
it, as when we listen to the speech a political
candidate, or arguments in a court
FOUR CAUSES OF POOR LISTENING
Not Concentrating
Although we talk at a rate of 120 to 150 words a minute, the
brain can process 400 to 800 words a minute.
Listening Too Hard
We try to pick up a speakers every word as if every word was
equally important
J umping to Conclusions
Focusing on Delivery and Personal Appearance
HOW TO BECOME A BETTER LISTENER
Take Listening Seriously
Listening comes from practice.
Be an Active Listener
We listen to music while studying; parents listen to their children
while fixing the dinner. This is passive listening.
Active listeners give their undivided attention to the speaker to
understand his or her point of view.
Resist Distractions
We try to eliminate all physical and mental distractions
Make a conscious effort to pull your mind back to what the
speaker is saying. Try to anticipate what the speaker is saying
next. This is not the same as jumping to conclusions.
Another way to keep your mind on a speech is to review mentally
what the speaker has already said and make sure you
understand it
HOW TO BECOME A BETTER LISTENER CONTD
Dont be Diverted by Appearance or Delivery
Gandhi was a very unimpressive-looking man who
often spoke dressed in a simple white cotton cloth.
Suspend J udgment
If you are sure of your beliefs, you need not fear
listening to opposing views.
If you are not sure, you have every reason to listen
carefully.
It has been said more than once that a closed mind is
an empty mind.
Develop Note-Taking Skills

ENOUGH FOR TODAY!