It’s no secret that public speaking is one of the biggest fears we have. Yet, most of us will have to share a story, make a sales presentation, lead a group or facilitate a meeting at some point in our lives. As a pastor, I do a lot of public speaking. Over a given week I’ll teach at least five times, and sometimes more, depending on my schedule. And because of this, people often ask me for advice when they have to address a group.
Here’s the first thing I’d say–it is normal to be nervous. I get nervous every time, and I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. So with that in mind, I practice this rule.
Make it simple.
I don’t mean trivial or trite or shallow–just easy to understand, that way your content will then be easy to remember. I once read that “simple isn’t shallow, and complicated isn’t deep.”—I couldn’t agree more. Think about all the classes you sat in where the professor was brilliant and complicated, but the only thing you remember is “that guy was smart”. Yet you remember a clever quote or a song lyric from years ago. Simple sticks.
When I first started teaching on a weekly basis I thought, “the more the better”. I’d talk for 45 minutes, give 10 points and a few stories and then walk away thinking I’d talked everyone into submission. But after some rather non-scientific polling, I began to realize most people can only remember one thing–and it was always the last thing I said. So here’s what I try to do now:
Say one thing in a memorable way.
One thing is easier to remember, one thing is then easier to do. Sure there are times you have to give several things, but the more you try to say, the less will be remembered. I’m in the transformation business, not the information business. If all I want to do is give information, they can get an audio book. But if I want to see life change, it works a lot better if they remember what to do. So I break up my speaking to start with the problem, move to the solution, then drill down on how to do that one thing. Then they not only remember it–they know how to do it.
What can take your speaking to another level is to say that one thing in a memorable way. It might be a funny or compelling story, it might be a picture or even an object lesson–but whatever you use in addition to just your voice, will help provide sticking power. I’ve used trees, balance beams, fruit, boxes, coffee filters and recently a golf club just to name a few. And if you wait to address the object and its significance till the end of your talk, your audience stays with you because they keep wondering “What’s the deal with the golf club?”
Saying only one thing in a memorable way doesn’t make you look silly or less educated–it simply increases your chances of effectiveness. Which, whether or not you’re talking to a boardroom, a classroom or a lunchroom–is really your goal.
So, give it a try–it might not be as scary as you think!