CHAMPION STRATEGIES – PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP – DECEMBER 23, 2020
TIP #4: INCLUDE STORIES IN YOUR SPEAKING
If you are interested in influencing people at a deeper level, then use stories.
Paul Zak, a neurochemist specializing in brain chemistry once said that “Stories are powerful because they transport us into other people’s worlds but, in doing that, they change the way our brains work and potentially change our brain chemistry.”
The operative phrase, “change our brain chemistry” provides such deep insight into how powerful stories are. If you are not using stories then you are leaving a lot of power on the table.
Most women I work with think the story they share has to be incredible in some way. Nothing is further from the truth. Thinking like that will prevent you from utilizing stories because you are constantly seeking the “perfect” story.
A simple story is as powerful, if not more powerful, than a complicated story. The story Paul Zak used to test people’s brain chemistry changes is very simple. You can see it towards the end of the video here.
Even though the story was simple, it still altered the audiences’ biochemistry. Which means it worked – and it worked well.
TIP #5: USE HARD EVIDENCE
Humans have two sides to our brains: The right side and the left side of the brain. To win over the right brain you share stories, and to win over the left brain you share facts.
As a speaker, you need to be balanced with your communication approach and you want to make sure you are covering both sides of the brain.
When you share an opinion, make sure you have the right evidence to support it. For example, if you say, “AI is the future of computing” (an opinion) you need to follow up with some concrete evidence to support that opinion versus just saying “because it feels right.”
So what can you use as evidence to support your claims: There are three main categories of evidence you can always rely on.
- Logic: This is the simplest evidence device in existence. Basically, you just reason logically with your audience.
- Data/Science: This is where you back up your claims with studies or research.
- History: You use historical precedence to justify your claims.
If you want to test your ability to furnish compelling evidence, then come up with examples under each category for the statement, “AI is the future of computing.”
TIP #6: BE YOU, BE UNIQUE
Billions of advertising dollars are spent each year to teach us who we are as women. There may be nothing wrong with that from the perspective that the ‘goods and services economy has to work somehow’, however, we don’t “need” anyone or anything to tell us who we are – no one does!
What’s important here is to stay in touch with your personal style and authenticity when you are speaking and presenting. Sure, Michelle Obama may do it this way, Oprah may do it that way, but concentrate mostly on how YOU do it – and drown out all the advertising noise telling you “femininity” means anything other than what you make it mean.
Sure, as I said earlier, it’s good to learn from others and get ideas from the masses, however, what will have you stand out as a powerful woman and leader when presenting, is the uniqueness only you bring to the table.
The uniqueness of ideas and uniqueness of expression are your biggest assets. When I was getting trained to lead the Women in Leadership Training at Magnetic Speaking, I was so nervous because I thought I had to teach the material exactly like the other trainers.
On the night before my first training, I decided that I can’t be Julia, I can’t be Peter, I can’t be Rahul, all I can be is me. And, I added some of my own unique style and curriculum in a way that only I can deliver. It was an amazing revelation and most of my jitters went away.
The next day, I nailed the training and the women who attended the Bootcamp stayed around afterward asking me questions and wanting tips. It felt good because they were all very much different than me and we connected by “me” being “me”.
So, yes you still have to look professional, and you still have to use speaking techniques to become more effective, but on top of all of that, you still have to be you
Women and public speaking is a topic close to my heart. My ability to communicate has helped me tremendously in my career and in my personal life.
I always say communication is really the only thing that connects each of us and our ideas to other human beings. I mean, think about it, we literally create everything first through our thoughts and then our words. The level at which we are able to use our words, no doubt, has a significant impact!
Leave a comment below on which of these tips stuck out to you most, I’d love to hear what you think!
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