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February 11, 2017

Can You Hear me Out There?The Power of Public Speaking

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Seminar Overview

• The confident speaker, despite title or position, will have a competitive edge over just about everyone. Cultivating the ability to communicate, choose your words carefully, and engage people is the best investment you could ever make. This seminar will help attendees to understand the principles of active listening and how to apply them to ensure that we collect necessary information needed in order to attain success. Learn how to take the lead and motivate the masses by expressing your message with passion and inspiration.

• At the end of this course, participants will be able to:– Examine the principles of active listening.– Explore active listening skills for better communication. – Learn techniques to convey your message accurately and directly. – Explore mental coaching techniques to address fear.

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Agenda

• Introductions• Examine the Principles of Active Listening• Explore Active Listening Skills for Better Communication • Learn Techniques to Convey Your Message Accurately and

Directly• Explore Mental Coaching Techniques to Address Fear

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PRINCIPLES OF ACTIVE LISTENING

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Active Listening Defined

• Types of Speakers

• Active listening is a model for respect and understanding. Despite the type of speaker you are listening to.– Builds trust and respect,– Enables the adversarial to release their emotions,– Reduces tensions, and– Encourages new information, and creates a safe environment

that is conducive to collaborative problem solving.

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Can you Multitask?

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Keys to Active Listening

• Pay Attention– Give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge the

message. Recognize that non-verbal communication also "speaks" loudly.

• Show That You're Listening– Be aware of the non-verbal question that you display while listening.

The speaker will see your own body language and gestures to convey your attention. Convey the gestures that will put the speaker at ease.

• Provide Feedback or Reflection– As a listener, it is important to understand what is being said. Some

things that may interfere with understanding and distort what we hear can be our personal assumptions, judgments, and beliefs. Reflection of what is being said or asking questions can clarify points and let the listener know that they were heard.

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Keys to Active Listening, cont.

• Defer Judgments and Interruptions– Interruptions and judgements frustrates the speaker and puts limits on

you the listener to fully understand the message.• Respond Appropriately

– When you are listening to someone, you gaining information and their perspective.

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ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION

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The Reflective TechniqueSpeaker1. The speaker conveys a message to the listener. Be aware of

messages that will allow the listener to listen without getting defensive. For example use “I” instead of “You” to explain your message.

2. Once the listener, repeats what is said, the speaker acknowledges if listener's version of the statement is accurate. If not, the listener tries again.

ListenerThe active listener, after hearing the message, must repeat in his or her own words what was just stated. At this point, the listener is not to agree or disagree, explain, or make an personal contributions or judgements to what was said. Just like a mirror, it is the listener's job to reflect the message back as heard.

StopTry stopping and having the conversation at another time if the situation is not ideal for a conversation.

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CONVEY YOUR MESSAGE ACCURATELY AND DIRECTLY

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Key Components to Consider for Accuracy and Conciseness• 55% of speech is body language, 38 percent is tone, and 7 % is

words.- Professor Albert Mehrabian (Professor Emeritus, UCLA)”

• Choose simple words that are easily understood, pertaining to your field of expertise

• Check your pauses, timing and your Pacing

You are the Message- Delivery is Equally as Important as the Content.

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Key Components to Consider for Accuracy and Conciseness, cont.

There is No Substitute for Trust- Trust is Essential for Audience Engagement

• Build confidence through practice• Do you have analogies and metaphors that are related to

your audience and message?• Can you share real life stories or case studies to substantiate

your points?

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Key Components to Consider for Accuracy and Conciseness, cont.

• Do you have demonstratives that can aid in concisely articulating your message?

• How comfortable are you with your delivery of the content?• Does your audience identify with you?• Does your audience believe you have the expertise in the field

of the message?

Pathos- The ability to utilize shared experience to bring more life to your message.

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Key Components to Consider for Accuracy and Conciseness, cont.

• Is there some level of trust with your audience?• Is my message clearly understood by my audience?• Are my reasons aligned with the central theme of my

message?• Can I demonstrate reason through past outcomes in my

message?

Logos- The ability to demonstrate reason in your message.

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MENTAL COACHING TECHNIQUES TO ADDRESS FEAR

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What is Fear of Public Speaking?

• Glossophobia– Symptoms include intense anxiety leading to fight-or-flight sensations

as well as physiological reactions, which may include nausea or panic attacks.

• Surprisingly, more people are afraid of standing before an audience than of dying--though I suppose the reason many are afraid is that they believe they will die on stage, at least metaphorically.

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Tips for Overcoming Your Fear

• Know your topic.• Get organized.• Practice, and then practice some more.• Visualize your success.• Do some deep breathing.• Focus on your material, not on your audience. • Don't be afraid of a moment of silence.• Recognize your success.

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Tips for Overcoming Your Fear, cont.

• Remember that it's not about you. It's about your content.• Shake some hands before your talk.• Keep in mind that you're the only one who knows.• It's OK to not be perfect.• Audiences are made up of people just like you.• Be gracious with yourself.• Your passion, knowledge, and experience can carry the day.

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Questions????