“If you really want to communicate, the most important thing is to listen.””

— - Mr. Fred McFeely Rogers (Mister Roger’s Neighborhood)

There are 2 parts to communication, speaking and listening. You need both for effective communication.

It’s common to focus a lot of time and energy on organizing and preparing your talk and while those are super important for your success, so is tuning into the people in front of you.

When it comes time to give your presentation, make sure to pay attention and listen to your audience.

Benefits of Listening:

• Presentations feel more conversational when you actively engage your audience, and stop talking at them (not to mention it’s more fun!)

• When your audience feels heard, they’re more likely to trust you (and your ideas)

• When you listen intently you can respond to your audience in the moment and find common ground

Listening is the single most important skill to get your ideas seen, heard and respected. It’s one of the best ways to ensure your audience receives your message in a language they understand.

When you prepare for your next presentation remember to make time for listening. And if you find yourself in a tense conversation, here are some tips:

1. Acknowledge and validate what the other person is saying

2. Be curious about their point of view

3. Ask open-eded questions
   

Learn more about these techniques at the next workshop:

Collaboration with Your Clients: Critical Conversation Skills To Keep Your Presentations On Track

DATE: Tuesday: May 14, 2019

TICKETS: http://sparkdesignprofessionals.org/event/collaboration-your-clients-critical-conversation-skills-keep-your-presentations-track

This might sound crazy, but the subway is a perfect place to practice your public speaking.

That’s right, commuting time can be much better used than scrolling. Practicing on the train, in the car or walking to work is one of my favorite timesavers.

Too often people don’t practice for presentations.

If you’re walking into a presentation never having rehearsed out loud, you’re doing yourself and your audience a disservice.

Your commute time will be a lot more productive if you use 10-15 minutes of your travel time rehearsing.

And sure, you might look a little funny, but there are far weirder things on the New York City subway than you quietly talking. I’m far more worried about walking into a presentation cold than raising a few eyebrows on the train.

Why practice out loud?
Things that sound great on paper don’t always sound great in person
You smooth out the rough spots before you’re under pressure
You get better at articulating your ideas

Why practice on the train?

You become a more fluid speaker when you’re not just reading notes.
You learn to work through distractions since audiences aren’t always rapt with attention.
It gives you defined time boundaries instead of the hours that can be lost in front of a computer.

If you’re working through a section and want to capture new ideas, put in your headphones and record yourself on voice memo. It allows you to time yourself, capture changes and integrate practice instead of siloing it to the end.

I’d love to hear how it goes if you try this out. And if you only work from home, these are 5 more ways to practice if you’re pressed for time.

1. Practice while you’re cooking dinner

2. Practice while washing the dishes

3. Practice for kids or their stuffed animals (or anyone else you live with)

4. Practice for the pictures on the wall (use them to practice eye contact)

5. Practice for your dog (or cat or pet lizard)

Want to get expert guidance and practice with a professional?

Book a SpeakEasy consult.

One of the creative directors in my Speak with Impact Lab shared a story about seeing an early iteration of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle talk .

It’s the 3rd most viewed TED Talk of all time and it launched Simon Sinek to fame.

It also started as a talk for 8 people in someone’s living room.

The moral of the story?

Your talk doesn’t need to be perfect at the outset.

In fact, it’s almost certain that it won’t be.

Perfection shouldn’t be your aim.

Just get started – let the first draft be messy.

There may be countless iterations and living room talks on the way to your big talk but that’s part of the process and getting feedback is essential.

Need an audience?
Here are some ways you can get one.

• Have a dinner party and give your presentation for friends

• Practice for your housemates

• Practice for your children

• Practice outside as people walk by

Want help developing your practice plan? I’d be happy to hop on the phone with you. Reach out to me at madeline@madelineschwarz.com.