Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Facilitated by Terry A. ProctorUniversity of Kansas

Department of Human Resources

During This Session We Will

• Define public speaking

• Address some of the fears people have about speaking in public

• Identify some tips for more effective presentations

• Listen to some great speakers!

Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

“The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute you are born and never stops until you get up to speak in public”

Roscoe Drummond

Definition of PUBLIC SPEAKINGMerriam-Webster Online Dictionary

1: the act or process of making speeches in public

2: the art of effective oral communication with an audience

Public Speaking in Every Day Use

• Workplace– Persuading others to adopt your ideas– Reporting out to your department– Educating your co-workers

• Private life– PTA meetings– Appearing before your city counsel– Toasting the new bride and groom

Public Speaking Among Many Fears

• Snakes• Public Speaking• Heights• Darkness• Claustrophobia• Spiders/Insects• Needles and Shots• Deep water• Flying• Death

Common Fears of Public Speaking

• Being judged harshly• Insecurities exposed• Perfectionism• Rejection anxiety• Failure• Humiliation

“Given the fear of public speaking, most people at a funeral would rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy.”

Public Speakers Seek To:

• Educate• Entertain• Persuade• Demonstrate• Celebrate• Inspire• Tell a story• CommemorateIn essence, to connect people across communities

Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

• Memorable/elegant lines from public speeches (can you finish the quote?)

“I have a…dream”

Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

• Memorable/elegant lines from public speeches (can you finish the quote?)

“Ask not what your country can do for you…ask what you can do for your country.”

Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

• Memorable/elegant lines from public speeches (can you finish the quote?)

“That’s one small step for a man…one giant leap for mankind”

Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

• Memorable/elegant lines from public speeches (can you finish the quote?)

“Four score and…seven years ago...”

Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Memorable lines but not so elegant

“What a waste it is to lose one’s mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.“ Dan Quayle, former VP

“If we do everything right, if we do it with absolute certainty, there’s still a 30% chance we’re going to get it wrong.” Joe Biden, VP

"I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." G.W. Bush, POTUS

Lucy

Public Speaking Tips• Pick a topic you like (if you have a choice!)• Spend time planning the event (audience, room, seating)• Prepare flow and content • PowerPoint (KISS)• Back up media/technology• Recovery when something goes wrong• Work to eliminate tics (verbal & non-verbal umkay?)• Lose the monotone• Practice, practice, practice• Dress appropriately• Watch your caffeine intake…drink water• Eye contact with as many people as possible • Use humor (be careful)• Start and end on time• Tame your anxiety.

Let’s Listen To Some Pro’s Paul Harvey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3GtXAqhSgo

Let’s Listen To Some Pro’sMaya Angelou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXymI8ZG2FU

Let’s Listen To Some Pro’sJohn F Kennedy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxa4HDgfWFs

Let’s Listen To Some Pro’sMartin Luther King Jr http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q3fosthiFU

Where to go for more information

• Toastmasters Internationalwww.toastmasters.org/

• TED Talksted.com/talks

• Ignite (5 minute speeches)igniteshow.com

Final Words

• The most important word begins the phrase “public speaking.”

• Plan, prepare, practice and present.• Mitigate anxiety to the best of your ability.• Remember-the audience wants you to

succeed!

Thank you for attending!

Public Speaking: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Facilitated by Terry A. Proctor tproctor@ku.edu

University of Kansas Department of Human Resources