Introvert

More on How to Give a Speech

One of the articles I’ve written that has garnered the most response is my simple guide to writing and giving speeches.

Here is a question from a reader concerning how to teach others to give speeches.

Hi Hal

I am about to start coaching some young people in my team (a small administration team in a bank) on how to give speeches. Their roles are somewhat mundane and I think helping them improve their speech-making ability will keep them more engaged at work plus give them something to put on their resumes.

I saw your ‘Simple guide to writing (and giving) a speech’ on the net and I think it is a really good model for an inexperienced person to follow to prepare a speech.

I’m personally confident at speaking now (after many years of being terrified) but I’ve never really taught others how to do it.

I was just wondering if you have any quick tips on dos and don’ts in coaching people to speak better or if you know of any exercises that you have found to be useful?

Thanks for your time — Paul

And I reply:

Paul -

Thanks for your note - I’ll try to give you a “grab bag” of ideas; if any appeal to you feel free.

First, the goal should be to get them talking; not to have you talk TO them. Try some confidence building exercises. Have them tell a story one sentence at a time; have the first person start by saying “once upon a time” and then move around the group each person adding to the story by one sentence. Go through several rounds. This will get them to loosen up and feel more comfortable in the group.

Get them to build a speech outline in the same fashion. You throw out a topic and have them create an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Coach them if their ideas don’t fit the right part of the speech process. Feel free to use my article to help them.

If they have ‘stage fright’ have them read prepared paragraphs (from a book or magazine) facing away from the group; then have them read the same paragraph facing the group.

After they’ve prepared their own brief speech have them read it aloud as fast as they can, then have them gradually slow it down - this does two things, first they’re going to go too fast at first anyway so forcing them to read fast will emphasize how this DOESN’T work. Having them gradually slow down will cause them to gain some confidence through repetition.

Once they’ve made a speech to your group; invite one or two other people in so that they get used to speaking to others. Finally, if this becomes something you want to expand or continue, consider starting a Toastmasters group at the bank.

Best wishes,

Hal Warfield