Public speaking myths exploded

MYTH: Just do a run-through at your desk before a big presentation

REALITY: Are you kidding? You have to do the moves

For anyone wanting to present at a professional standard, preparation involves the same kinds of dress rehearsals other performers must go through.

“It is about bringing a consistent standard of excellence,” says James. “You’ve got to do the moves.”

MYTH: Your speech is going to change the world

REALITY: Ahem, switch off the ego please

James sees this a lot, people thinking their presentation has rocked the audience’s world. It’s more likely the speaker has planted a few seeds and created a space for people to consider and reflect.

“Don’t think you are at the cutting-edge of uniqueness,” says James. “A successful speaker has relentless generosity.”

MYTH: Famous quotations from the greats – Nelson, Warren, Rudy, Bill and Oprah et al – will make your presentation great

REALITY: Use the famous sparingly

“The hackneyed trite references everyone tries to use is just so inane,” says James. “They are just bland. Instead, look for effective, thoughtful stories that are relevant to the audiences’ lives.”

MYTH: So long as the speaker is prepared they don’t have to worry about conditions and logistics at the venue at which they are speaking

REALITY: Always fastidiously check all technical support and always have a back-up plan

Nader says it is essential to check the “room temperature” before speaking, consider the last speaker or the big news stories of the day.

“They might be upset, elated, deflated or drained,” he says. Delegates hungover from the night before; tweeters; groups seated too far from the stage (or have a column in the way) are going to need a reason to tune in. Nader also fastidiously sets out his technical requirements and always does rigorous technical run throughs.

Winston Broadbent, head of Saxton, a speaker’s bureau that represents the likes of Gough Whitlam, Jacques Nasser and James Strong recalls one of his speakers who relied heavily on PowerPoint getting into trouble at an event. The tech crews had his laptop all ready to go.

“All was under control until he took one step backwards and trod on the cable that connected his computer to the screens,” says Broadbent. “The speaker was left with no A/V support. He had left a copy of his slides with the A/V operator who, in one of the best examples of support I have ever seen in this business, typed in the PowerPoint furiously as the speaker spoke and the event ran seamlessly. I remember his last slide, which read ‘phew’!

And finally, some tips from New York-based media trainer TJ Walker’s new book How to Give  A Pretty Good Presentation (Wiley, 2010):

Do the following:

• Be interesting
• Be passionate
• Tell stories
• Give examples
• Cite case studies
• Look at the audience
• Let people ask questions anytime
• Tell people why they should give a damn
• Move your head, hands and body
• Finish on time (or early)

Don’t do the following:

• Read your speech
• Do a data dump
• Show complex slides with lots of words and small graphics
• Stare at your slides and avoid your audience
• Be abstract
• Use big, complex words
• Use jargon
• Be monotone
• Be boring
• Go over your allotted time.