In lively conversation with John Bates on the Live Like a Leader podcast, Ruth Milligan explores the world of public speaking and effective communication, offering invaluable insights for anyone looking to refine their speaking skills. Their discussion delved into the local nature of TEDx, the myth of “natural speakers,” the critical role of feedback, and the intricacies of high-stakes team presentations. Read on for highlights and takeaways of their conversation.
Read on for highlights and suggestions from their conversation.
- TEDx is Hyperlocal: This focus on local talent fosters a strong community spirit and allows for the sharing of compelling ideas that resonate deeply with the immediate audience. The dedication of TEDx organizers, who volunteer their time for years, underscores the commitment to this community-centric approach.
- The Myth of the Natural Speaker: A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to challenging the notion of a “natural speaker.” Both Ruth and John agree that great speaking is not an innate talent but a cultivated skill, a result of consistent practice and deliberate habit-building.
The Motivated Speaker introduces six threshold concepts for learning to speak. Ruth describes these concepts as messy, transformative, and recursive and insists upon a practice regimen prior to public speaking opportunities. Given these concepts, each practice session can offer new learning opportunities.
The book aims to provide a definitive guide for aspiring speakers, moving beyond the common skills lists found in textbooks, to address the deeper, more challenging aspects of becoming a truly effective communicator.
- Importance of Feedback: John and Ruth’s conversation emphasized the importance of feedback, particularly self-reflection through recordings. Ruth presses that listening to or watching oneself speak, regardless of the discomfort, is the most effective way to identify areas for improvement.Ruth admits that hearing yourself can be jarring, but has seen it work as a powerful catalyst for change. Ruth provides specific advice for this kind of feedback:
- Set your intention: Know that the experience will be uncomfortable but ultimately beneficial.
- Identify one key area: Focus on your single most obvious or annoying habit or aspect, as this is likely what your audience also notices.
- Allow for self-discovery: When receiving feedback from others, you should always reflect first, as you can often identify 90% of the issues yourself.
While all feedback should be received with gratitude, carefully consider which feedback to implement. Not all advice will be relevant to your specific goals or audience.
- High-Stakes Team Pitches: For those involved in group presentations, especially in high-stakes environments like business proposals, Ruth offered critical advice:
- Extensive practice is paramount:There’s no “winging it” in team pitches. Cohesion and individual strength are amplified by collective practice.
- Manage stress and time: Stress can distort the perception of time, and people will inadvertently take up others’ speaking time.
- Show engagement: Team members should actively listen and show engagement with each other. The audience will mirror this behavior, and a lack of attention can signal disinterest.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Ruth encourages all speakers to practice extensively. Great speakers, even those considered “naturals” like Steve Jobs and Winston Churchill, practiced for hours for every minute they were on stage. This dedication to practice is what makes complex communication appear effortless. Ultimately, the goal is to make the implicit explicit, helping individuals with brilliant ideas communicate them as brilliantly and clearly as they can.
