Giridhar Mudili is a professional public speaker with a
dazzling command of the English language. His skills at oratory can sway an
audience in minutes. He says he understands that public speaking frightens many
people, and he likes to tell them about a joke he once heard the comedian Jerry
Seinfeld tell: most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of
death. So at a funeral, they're better off being in the coffin than they are
giving the eulogy.
All kidding aside, though, Giridhar Mudili says that there
are some tips that anyone can use to be a more effective public speaker. The
most obvious tip, he says, is to practice. Once you have a speech or some other
presentation scheduled, prepare your remarks as far ahead of time as possible,
and then read them. He says that you don't have to memorize them. The important
thing is to read them, and read them out loud. Recruit your friends and
co-workers to listen to you so that you'll have the experience not only of
reading it out loud, but doing it in front of an audience.
As you read your speech copy out loud, remember to engage
your audience. It's a good idea to begin your speech with a joke, if it's
appropriate to the occasion. After that include leading questions in your text,
targeted to people or groups, and encourage your listeners to have questions;
tell them you'll answer them when you're finished.
Above all, Giridhar Mudili says to speak with authority. Be
sure you keep phrases like "I think," and "actually," out
of your speech's copy. They diminish your authority and convey a sense of
submissiveness. He says to always be clear and direct, and use concise,
definite statements.
