By MRS. LYNETTE OTWORI
PRINCIPAL LECTURER AND TRAINER IN MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION
Excellent public speaking is a desired merit for staff across all cadres. For years, the manuscript method of presentation was preferred by most people. In recent times, however, talking points version has been popularized and is now quickly being replaced in terms of preference by the extemporaneous method of presentation. Nevertheless, different people are conformable with different styles of presentation. So, what is your style of presentation? And what is the best method?
I beg to share my presentation in two fold: the message and the presentation. This week I will dwell on the message and next week on the delivery.
To set us off, it is important to appreciate what effective communication is and when it is said to have taken place. Effective communication gets the message across, clearly and convincingly, in speeches, letters, interviews, reports, meetings, or through the media. This is an effective way of achieving professional success as it can win business, enhance reputation or simply make one more effective at their job.
Effective public speaking enables one to gain recognition and demonstrate leadership. It is a powerful tool for informing, inspiring, persuading, helping to set policy, and initiating action. To be effective, a speech must be easily understood. It should fit the audience, the speaker, and the occasion. Best speeches go beyond words; they make a connection between the speaker and the audience as Sandra L a m b indicates in her book on ‘How to Write It: A Complete Guide to Everything You’ll Ever Write’.
Speaking in public is more formal than just talking. When making a speech, one should present themselves professionally by being prepared to use language correctly and appropriately for the audience and the topic, to make eye contact with the audience, and to present with a good master of the agenda. Speaking allows for meaningful pauses, small changes in word order, and vocal emphasis. One needs to, therefore, be relaxed and let the presentation flow naturally. Greeks were great orators. Aristotle described effective public speaking in three words: ethos, pathos, and logos (see this week’s Leaders must Read). He argued that speech can produce persuasion either through the character of the speaker, referring to the things the speaker believes and is willing to present with courage (ethos); the emotional state of the listener, referring to the strong feelings the speaker has for the topic, a willingness to put one’s heart into it (pathos);
and the argument itself (logos), referring to the words the speaker uses to formulate the thoughts. These are fundamental components for constructing persuasive messages. The speaker can use this to turn nervousness into power. When a speaker endeavours to connect to the audience’s goals through ethos, pathos, and logos (courage, heart, and brain), the presentation will be powerful as Bill Swetmon puts it. Managers use public speaking in meetings, workshops and seminars, conferences, recruitment and media interviews. Public speaking is also important in negotiations, induction and orientation of new employees, presentation of annual reports, presentation at conferences, and interviews for appointment or promotion. It also helps in interacting with external audiences in order to, among others, collaborate and generally create goodwill with stakeholders.
Credit: the KSG Communications Office, weekly bulletin Vol. 9 Issue 33