Notes on Effective Speaking in Spontaneous Situations

Introduction

• Title of the talk is intentionally grammatically incorrect to grab attention.
• Workshop will be highly interactive; participation is encouraged but optional.
• Objective: Become effective communicators through practice.

Initial Activity: Counting F's

• Participants instructed to count "f's" in a given sentence.
• Results: Many found fewer "f's" than actually present.
• Analogy: Public speaking often leads us to miss essential points, similar to missing "f's" in the exercise.

Focus of the Workshop

• Emphasis on spontaneous speaking versus planned presentations.
• Spontaneous speaking situations include giving introductions, providing feedback, and responding to cold calls in class.

Anxiety in Public Speaking

• 85% of people experience anxiety when speaking.
• Public speaking ranks high on fear lists, sometimes even above more serious concerns.
• Anxiety can be managed instead of eliminated; it provides energy and focus.

Techniques for Managing Anxiety

1. Acknowledge Anxiety: Greet anxiety as a normal reaction rather than a negative.
2. Reframe as Conversation: Treat speaking as a conversation rather than a performance.
   • Use questions to engage the audience.
3. Present Moment Focus: Bring attention to the present rather than worrying about future consequences.
   • Techniques include physical activity, focusing on music, or stating tongue twisters.

Core Principles for Spontaneous Speaking

Four Steps to Effectiveness

1. Get Out of Your Own Way: Reduce self-imposed pressures.
   • Activity: "Shout the Wrong Name" to break mental barriers.
2. Reframe the Situation: See opportunities instead of threats.
   • Activity: Give and receive imaginary gifts, focusing on positive affirmations.
3. Slow Down and Listen: Engage actively with the audience's needs.
   • Activity: Spell out messages in conversation to sharpen listening skills.
4. Tell a Structured Story: Use established structures for coherent responses.
   • Recommended structures:
     • Problem, Solution, Benefit
     • What, So What, Now What
   • Structures help in organizing thoughts and conveying clear messages.

Practical Exercises

• Partner activities to practice sales pitches using recommended structures.

Conclusion

• Manage anxiety, engage in structured practice, and participate actively.
• Additional resources include the speaker's book "Speaking Up Without Freaking Out" and a website for further guidance.
• Invite questions from the audience at the end.

Q&A Highlights

• Addressing Hostile Situations: Acknowledge emotions without naming them to diffuse tension.
• Engaging Remote Audiences: Use interactive tools and polling to keep remote participants engaged.
• Tips for Journalists: Use the power of "why" and advice-based questions to elicit authentic responses.