Research from Rutgers University and the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania found that we’re more persuasive when we speak a little louder, vary our voice to emphasize what’s important, and pause. My experience is that pausing is the most important element. Watch the video to learn more.
Begin Your Presentation With a "Bright, Shiny Object"
Why is it important to “start strong” in public speaking? I asked my friend, Grace Chang, PhD,, for insight. Grace earned her PhD in cognitive neuroscience and leads learning research initiatives at EY.
“Mimi, just as magpies are drawn to shiny objects, our brains pay more attention to "shiny" things, e.g., something novel, interesting, or important to the individual. In a world where we are constantly bombarded by information competing for our brain's limited attention, capturing our audience's attention from the start is more important than ever.
When we begin a presentation with information that’s new and interesting, we immediately engage the brain's attentional resources, capitalizing on the brief window when your audience is most focused. Quickly capturing their attention makes it more likely that they will continue to listen.
There are additional benefits. A strong opening sets up a cognitive framework that helps your audience organize and understand the information that follows. This helps them grasp your material. Also, the "primacy effect," well-documented through research, indicates that people place more importance on and are more likely to remember information they encounter first. As a result, this early information not only influences your audience's impression of your message, it has a lasting impact, sticking with them long after the conclusion of your article or presentation.
When you present the key point at the beginning, you align your message with the natural preferences of the human mind. It’s essentially brain-friendly storytelling, and your audience will thank you for this!”
Use Your Voice To Be More Persuasive
Why are we encouraged to “speak up” when we deliver a presentation, speak to an audience, or share information at a meeting? Watch the video to learn about using your voice to be more persuasive.
How to Sit in a Meeting or Media Interview
How we sit in a meeting or media interview can influence how we’re perceived by others. If we clutch our hands or lean on our elbows as we speak, our words have less impact. With virtual meetings, it’s even more important to sit in a way that allows us to use our voice and body language effectively. Watch the video for details.
The Science Behind “Simpler is Better”
When it comes to business presentations, simple is better than complex.
I know WHAT works. I was curious about WHY.
I asked Dr. Grace Chang, Ph.D. for insight. Grace has a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and leads learning research initiatives at EY. She and I served together on the leadership team of the Duke Alumni Board of Directors.
Grace’s Response: It's true that simpler presentations that focus on key messages are more effective!
The process of whittling down the message benefits speakers because they have put in the cognitive effort (the brain work) to figure out what’s most important. When speakers have a clear message, they’re more confident.
Just as important is how this benefits the audience. Our brains can only focus on and process a limited amount of information at one time, i.e., we have a limited "cognitive load" that we can handle. When speakers present complex PowerPoint slides that are packed with too much content to an audience, they are not honoring our brain's natural limitations.
It's like stuffing a grocery bag with too many items. Your bag is likely to break, and even your most needed items will fall out. So, the risk of overstuffing your presentations is that even the most important points may not stick with your listeners. If you want your audience to understand and remember your key messages, less is more.
Begin Meetings with a Purpose, Not a List
I learned early in TV news to start strong. Don't bury your lead. Today, that means opening meetings with a purpose, not a list. I worked recently with a global consulting firm where leaders conduct meetings with busy policymakers across time zones and cultures. This video resonated with them.
Speak at a Strategic Level
When you speak-up in a meeting or make a formal presentation, you want to quickly focus on the key issues. You’ll be more persuasive if you identify what’s really important and avoid the clutter of sharing too much information. Watch the video to learn about the two questions you should ask yourself before any presentation.
Speak with Punctuation
Attention spans are short. When we speak-up in a meeting or make a presentation, we’re competing for the attention of our audience. We will be more successful in our communications if we speak with punctuation.
Speaking On Video
This summer, I’ve seen a uptick in requests to prepare leaders to speak on video. The specific ask has been to prepare leaders and professionals to record brief, compelling videos to post on social media. While the marketing team can handle the recording and posting, what’s needed is coaching for the speakers. You want to deliver your message in less than a minute, while speaking in a conversational and intentional manner.. Watch the video to learn more.
Engage Your Audience with Intentional Questions
I’m frequently asked “How can I make my meetings more interactive?” and “How do I avoid rambling because I don’t know how to finish?” Watch the video for my tip for concluding your presentation with intentional questions. Hint: It’s NOT “Any questions?”
Be Intentional with Your Hands for Presentations and Media Interviews
Your hands and voice mirror each other when you speak. Whether you’re talking to a reporter or giving a speech, you want to be intentional with your body language. Watch the video for the tip.
Arriving Early is the Secret to Successful Networking
After a hiatus during COVID, professional and business events are back. If you feel uncomfortable when you walk into a crowded room, the secret is to arrive early. Remember that networking is about building relationships, not shaking hands. That’s easier to do when you arrive early. Watch the video for the tip.
Use Your Headline as a Guide
Our slides are a guide for our presentation, not a crutch. When we use slides effectively, we communicate a crisp and clear message to our audience. Watch the video for the tip on how to use your headline as a guide.
How to Stand When Speaking to an Audience
How we stand makes a difference in how our audience perceives us. Watch the video on how to stand when speaking in front of an audience or doing a media interview.
Begin Your Presentation with the "Why"
I’m frequently asked “How do I begin?” I recommend that you avoid phrases such as “Today I’m going to talk about.” Instead, begin with the “Why.” Watch the video for the tip.
Get Ready for Virtual Meetings On The Road
I’m traveling for work again, which means I’m working with clients or participating in meetings virtually from hotel rooms. I was motivated by a member of the Georgia Physician Leadership Academy to up-my-game for my mobile set-up. It’s easy to look professional from anywhere when we have the right equipment.
Use "W" words to Speak with Impact
If you're looking for a boost of confidence for public speaking and business presentations, think about using W words. Here's how it works: When you feel yourself talking too fast or speaking in monotone voice, try pausing and starting your next sentence with a W word. For example, you could say "WHAT I'm hearing from customers is..." "WHY it's important is..." or "WHERE we go from here..." When you begin a sentence with a W word, you stand-up or sit-up straighter, speak with more energy, and sharpen your message. It's a simple technique that you can remember and use under pressure.
Applying Virtual Lessons to In-Person Learning
It’s wonderful to be working with teams and leaders in-person. I’ve learned to appreciate the engagement and learning that comes from in-person interaction.
What I like best is that we can use the lessons of virtual to make in-person even better than it was before March 2020. For example, when someone is sick or has a can’t-be-moved schedule conflict with an in-person workshop, I send that person a 35-minute, on-demand version of the workshop content and schedule a virtual 1:1 session to practice. Not something I would have thought to do pre-COVID!
Another benefit is the ability to have Holly Conner join as a second trainer via Zoom. When I spoke to a leadership team about executive presentation skills in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August, each person did a 15-minute, 1:1 session on session with Holly in a breakout room. Only Holly wasn’t in Charlotte, she was on the monitor in the breakout room via Zoom. Holly and I have done more than 20 workshops where I’m in-person with the group and she’s virtual for 1:1 and small group coaching. The feedback from participants is that it’s good preparation for a world of in-person, hybrid and virtual communications.
My challenge to myself and all of us is to keep looking for new ways to blend virtual and in-person to improve learning and maximize results.
Be Prepared for Business Events
If you’re returning to business events after a two year hiatus, then your networking skills may need a tune-up. Watch the video for the tip before your next business or social event.
Avoid Common Pitfalls with Media Interviews
Virtual interviews have opened the door to more media coverage for organizations with a good story to tell. What's important for spokespersons to remember is to speak for your own organization, but not for competitor's strategy. Watch the video for the tip on how to avoid this common mistake.