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Public Speakers and Would-Be Public Speakers: Three Heads ARE Better Than One
Posted by B2B on: 2006-09-14 11:23:52
Carole McMichaels
Actually, five or six heads are even better. For what? for whom? for why? you ask.
I'll show you in a minute; but first, let me commiserate with you. Depending on what sort of speaking you do, and the circumstances in which you do it, being a public speaker can be a downright lonesome profession.
Yes, you're with people. Or in front of people. Or even interacting with them, as when you're giving a seminar or workshop. Still, in most cases, you're out there pretty much by yourself when you're actually presenting. And when you're preparing for that presentation, you're really all alone. Without support or feedback.
Both support and feedback are essential to develop our abilities to their fullest, and that is especially true of becoming the best public speaker we can be.
A solution to working alone and the resultant lack of knowledgeable and considerate feedback is to form a Mastermind Group---four to eight people interested in exchanging experiences and information in order to increase their speaking skills.
The group could meet weekly or bi-weekly in person, on-line or by telephone. It could be on-going or end in a set number of meetings or weeks. It could operate like a miniature Toastmasters and provide an audience before whom to practice your speeches, or it could function more like a practice workshop.
The group might select a book on the topic of public speaking and work through one chapter during each meeting. If a chapter gives breathing exercises, for example, the group could practice these together and help each other understand and execute the exercises correctly.
For vocal exercises, members could function as amateur voice teachers, spotting and correcting flaws that could lead to vocal tiring or strain. Non-singers tend to be uncomfortable and extra sensitive about the training of their voice. Working together with others who are struggling with similar problems can be an immense help. It's also pretty funny at times--and the humor helps to get past the shyness to develop your own well-placed, well-projecting voice.
Because egos would be tender, there would need to be agreements on feedback. In the case of practicing your speech, it could be only by request of the presenter. It should be brief, to the point and constructive, and it absolutely must refrain from being cutting or insulting. The point is to give support by commenting in such a way that it can be appreciated and used by the speaker.
Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler have written an excellent book, "Meet and Grow Rich", which describes in detail how you can create and manage your own Mastermind Group. I strongly recommend that you buy it and read it if you plan to further your speaking career by means of a Mastermind group.
About the author:
Carole McMichaels: Speaker, Therapist, Coach, Musician, Author: "Fearless Public Speaking: How to Get Rid of Your Stage Fright and Prepare and Deliver a Winning Presentation", invites you to to visit her website http://GetRidOfPublicSpeakingFears.com and download your free report, "How to Write a Mind-Gripping Speech". Her blog is at: http://fearlesspublicspeaking.blogspot.com/
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