Master speaking skills

Published January 31, 2011 in the Culpeper Star Exponent

They say not to mention religion and politics when involved in business discussions. This may be good advice. However, there is a common quality relevant to success that religion and politics share with success in business.  What could be such a powerful common thread in these diverse areas? An art that is somewhat confounding! It is something that escapes us unless we make a dedicated effort to master it. This is something that we often take for granted until we face the need for it. A skill that is treasured by those who master it and appreciated by those who benefit from it.

President Obama is a great example of having mastered this skill. In fact, regardless of your point of view, everyone agrees that he is a great orator. His public speaking skills can lift partisanship from divided to United as Americans. The content is of course a vital part of the discourse, and yet, his ability to communicate thoughts, plans, strategy, and vision are inspirational.
It is said that the skill in early Greece and Rome were so important that youth were often sent to work with master orators in order to perfect these skills. Demosthenes, a famous statesman of Ancient Greece, is said to have practiced speaking over the sound of the waves along the seashore to improve his speaking skills. This is an almost proverbial extreme and yet an example of the dedication required for improving public speaking skills.

Why is public speaking so feared? I believe that public speaking is one of the most misunderstood skills. We see speakers on TV, in the movies, and at the podium and they sound great…. usually. What happens when we are invited to speak regarding an area of interest? What happens when we are asked to play in a round of golf? The answer is …. It depends! When was the last time that you played golf? Are your clubs up to par… do you have the proper attire? These are all important parts of your golf “game”.

When it comes to public speaking, the questions are very much the same. When was the last time you spoke? Are your skills up to par? Are you focused on you or your audience? Much like a golf swing, a speech delivery is much more effective when you are relaxed and confident. In other words, you need the right tools to be adequate, you need practice to be good, and you need feedback to be great.

It would be perfect if there were a group of public speakers that would gather to challenge each other to speaking greatness. They would need to meet regularly, offering an opportunity to deliver speeches in a “safe” setting. The meetings would need to be structured, quick, and orderly. They would need to be encouraging in learning different speaking skills, from basics to advanced entertainment. Sound good?

Check out the Culpeper Toastmasters and sharpen your skills if you considering public office, moving your career in a new direction, or taking sales to a new level in the new year. Relaxed, Confident… Fun

Jim Charapich President & CEO
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Center