Have a strategy for impromptu speaking

A key demand in business is the ability to speak off the cuff. Whether it’s giving an unexpected elevator pitch to a potential investor or being asked to quickly defend a proposal to sales, many of us have had to speak with no preparation. Next time, don’t panic. The worst business speeches are those that ramble on. If forced to speak, quickly draft a structure of your main argument on a notecard (or napkin). Jot down an introduction, two or three supporting points and a conclusion. Use extra time to fill out any examples or data you want to address. Always state your thesis upfront so listeners can easily follow your supporting comments. Focus on key stories and statistics, rather than your delivery. If you know your topic, the words will come. Finally, keep it short. When in doubt, say less.

(Adapted from 5 Tips for Off-the-Cuff Speaking, by John Coleman)

New team leaders: do these four things first

New team leaders often skip over the basics of team building in a rush to start achieving goals. But your actions in the first few weeks and months have a major impact on whether your team delivers results. Here’s how to set things up for success:

Get to know one another. Resist the urge to jump right into the work and focus instead on fostering camaraderie with team-building exercises.

Showcase your values. Explain what’s behind each of your decisions, what your priorities are and how you will evaluate the team’s performance.

Explain how you want the team to work. Not everyone knows the best ways to ask for help or go about tasks. Set expectations and explain processes.

Set or clarify goals. Make clear what the team is working toward and how you expect to get there. Setting goals early on lays the framework for holding team members accountable.

(Adapted from What New Team Leaders Should Do First, by Carolyn O’Hara)

Ask about MBA

If you’re thinking about getting an MBA, first determine whether your expectations are aligned with what the degree will likely do for you. One benefit of MBA programs is that the credential sends a signal to the marketplace. But no career paths absolutely require an MBA — many senior people in general management roles, consulting and financial services don’t have one — so don’t assume it will necessarily serve a meaningful purpose in your chosen field. Instead ask yourself:

What market am I in now? What markets might I seek to enter in the future?

Who’s interested in my services? How might this change if I had an MBA?

How are MBAs perceived in these markets? What stereotypes (both positive and negative) might I face as an MBA?

What is the reputation of the MBA programs I’m considering? How are these schools and their alumni viewed within my desired markets?

What are my alternatives?

(Adapted from Should You Get an MBA?, by Ed Batista)

Write a speech

There’s a huge difference between crafting a speech and writing an essay, yet too many people approach them in the same way. The average adult can read 300 words per minute, but can only follow a speech at half that rate. So speeches require you to simplify. To make sure your audience stays with you, state your thesis and lay out the structure of your speech first. Then, let listeners know where you are with signpost words (‘second,’ ‘finally,’ etc.). Lead or end an argument with statistics, but don’t fall into reciting strings of numbers or citations. The human brain is wired for narrative, so focus on telling a compelling story. And remember that when delivering a speech, you are your punctuation. Use your voice, hand gestures, pacing and your position on stage for emphasis.

(Adapted from A Speech Is Not an Essay, by John Coleman)

Reduce your stage fright

Butterflies in the stomach, waning confidence, sweaty palms — even people who regularly present in front of audiences get stage fright. You may not be able to eliminate your fear completely, but below are four ways to help you handle the symptoms:

Focus on your audience. Pick a person in the crowd and speak directly to him. Then find another person and deliver your next message directly to him.

Relabel negatives as positives. Instead of considering your symptoms of stage fright an indication of nerves, think about them as signs of anticipation or excitement.

Avoid rigid rules. Don’t be overly focused on what makes a good presentation. There are no set rules.

Research shows that self-assessment of presentations is often overly harsh. If you assume you look calm and relaxed to your audience, you will.

(Adapted from the HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations)

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, November 24th, 2014