Public Speaking and Communication Success

4 Points of Connection for Public Speaking and Communication Success

After decades of supporting excellence in business communications, I noticed that presenters’ problems fall into one or more of four key areas: unclear messaging with too much or too little detail, lack of audience focus and understanding, thoughts, feelings and beliefs of self-doubt; and physical behaviors that detract from the presentation message, the speaker’s power, and personal presence.

4 Points of Connection is a path to presentation success. It’s simple, creative and personalized. Let’s look at some typical presentation complaints and the area of intervention needed:

1. I’m a lousy speaker.
   This negative attitude reflects a problem with self-confidence. Coaching helps the presenter explore feelings of self-doubt to positively Connect with your Inner Self.
2. I spend months preparing and burn out in the process.
   This complaint suggests a need for efficient and effective preparation. Learning how to easily develop and organize your presentation, helps you Connect with your Message.
3. I don’t know what to do with my hands.
   Accessing your natural style of gesturing is important. Speaking with frozen limbs is distracting. Connect with your Physical Self to maximize your delivery.
4. The audience is very diverse, how do I reach them all?
   It’s impossible to know everything about everybody who is in your audience. However, contemplating your audience, helps you target your message. You can Connect with your Audience by learning cognitive and physical skills that engage listening attention.

Presentation coaching solutions often involve two or more of these 4 Points of Connection. Here are a few of the most frequent complaints in each of the categories.

Inner Self
I turn red just standing in front of a group.
I can’t talk if my boss is in the room.
I can only talk to 20 people or less.
I’m going to black out and make a fool of myself.

The Message
I don’t know how much detail is the right amount of detail.
What do I say when I can’t answer a question?
Do I tell a joke to start?
My boss says I read my slides but I can’t remember everything if I don’t.

The Audience
When I look at the audience, I forget what I want to say.
What do I do when the listeners start multi-tasking?
How do I handle a know-it-all or heckler in the audience?
What if people look bored and start leaving?

The Physical Delivery
I have to pace to control my nervousness.
My voice cracks or trembles when I’m front and center.
How do I use eye contact when there are 100 people in the room?
When I present, it’s as if I’m not present. I feel dissociated from both the audience and myself.

You do not need to be a “born speaker” to deliver a strong presentation. In the 4 Points of Connection Webinar, you receive tools you need to promote communication and presentation confidence, clarity and connection. ‘Want to bring your skills to your next level of excellence? Consider taking the 4 Points of Connection Questionnaire.