Comments on: Thoughts on public speaking as craft

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 13:19:25 +0000

I enjoyed this post, but I am loving all of the great comments. Everyone is so inspiring!

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:50:47 +0000

In reply to Rinna. @Rinna- it was nice! I loved walking around in the morning, and I stopped by Indigo - I have put links to their bookstore operation for years but had never been there.

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:50:13 +0000

In reply to Danielle. @Danielle- I agree. I suspect a number of academics also didn't realize they'd be writing and promoting their work too. Kind of a different mindset...

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:49:08 +0000

In reply to Denise. @Denise- too bad we missed each other! Some day!

By: Rinna

Rinna — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 02:20:09 +0000

Hope you enjoyed Toronto! It was a nice day. But sorry we missed each other.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:46:25 +0000

In reply to lauravanderkam.

isn’t that funny? i’ve also flipped from being terrified of lecturing to absolutely loving it. You’re right – it’s a conversation and what a privilege it is to share in the journey of your audience.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:45:23 +0000

In reply to Danielle. I should also add, that I share your experience of public speaking as an accidental career. It's obvious of course that academia brings lecturing with it - but so few of us go into it for that reason. (which is why there are so many terrible lecturers out there).

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:44:27 +0000

As a college professor, I’ve found a number of things that help. First, practice does indeed help over time. Knowing your content well also gives you a boost. Powerpoint used very very minimally – key words, pictures. As few sentences as possible. And talking only off key word notes – not a written script. And humour… with caution! My audience are a hard one to amuse – college kids. So I proceed daintily there.

But nothing works better than confidence. Whether it be real or manufactured, go up and exude confidence.

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 20:21:02 +0000

can’t believe you were in Toronto and I didn’t get to hear you. My team was hosting an International Women’s Day event today and I’ve always thought you would make a great speaker at our yearly event. Reading your books has changed my perspective on the challenges and choices I make.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 19:31:56 +0000

I find that if I can stay focused on the content of what I am presenting and why I find that content compelling, I do much better with the presentation. This strategy helps keep me out of my head and rooted in the fact that presenting isn’t about “Look at me!” but instead “Look at this!”