Secrets of a Lousy Public Speaker


Public speaking is something we can or cannot do. Most of us pretend to like it. If you are drawn to political campaigning or activism there are going to be occasions when you have little choice; you have to address an audience. This could be no more than classroom sized or it could be you are obliged to address a massive outdoors rally.

Although a public speaker for nearly 40 years I confess to being ill at ease when up before an audience. Anxious speakers are not alone. A public speaking test was taken by men whose occupations demand nerves of steel. These heroes had previously been wired up to test their heart rate, blood pressure and psycho-pathological responses to stressful situations. One of those tested was a steel erector. Every day he was perfectly at ease as he trotted along bare girders 1,000 feet above ground level. Also included in the test were an fighter pilot and a celebrated mountain climber. The tests revealed these men to be perfectly calm when engaged in situations that would frighten the life out of most of us. These incredibly brave men were later wired up before addressing a live audience. On reaching the podium their blood pressure and heart rate suggested a catastrophic stressful situation.

The reasons for being ill at ease when addressing an audience are not easily explained. Even those used to doing so; actors and performers, often concede that they get butterflies in their tummies before the curtain rises. Politicians and members of the royal family constantly address audiences but are clearly ill at ease when doing so. Many cannot manage a paragraph without referring to their notes.

Those of us obliged to make presentations have tricks that work for us. One of mine is to think of the audience as wallpaper; this trick de-personalises the experience. Another ploy is to focus on a single friendly face and I then speak directly to that obliging person. This way is like talking one-to-one, which is much more natural.

Notes in front of you are essential but reading from a prepared script is a one-way ticket to hell. My worst experience was also my best. I had been invited to address an audience in Washington DC. It got worse; the venue was situated next door to Capitol Hill and was situated just a stroll from the White House. The audience was much bigger than I anticipated and they knew their subject stuff, some of them better than I did. As my turn to speak approached I was terrified. As I took the stand and began stammering from my notes my terror must have been evident. I knew it was going to be a polite but nightmare climax.

Never mind, I thought to myself as I pushed the notes to one side. I shall shoot from the lip. Nothing could be as bad as reading from prepared notes. From that moment on I spoke passionately from the gut for twenty-minutes. As my nightmare ended, I closed my eyes and waited for the catcalls and booing. My fears were ungrounded; the hall erupted and I was besieged by a won over audience. It was gratifying, but I confess I shall never be a natural public speaker.

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