Facilitation Skills: Being a Great Speaker

Recently, I delved into the book "Lead the 90%" by Darci Lang. The strategies for public speaking in her content really resonated with me as a coach and facilitator.

To be a strong facilitator you must be a strong communicator. Darci Lang categorizes a strong communicator as someone who is a great speaker, a great listener, and asks great questions. Let’s look further into this.

Be a Great Speaker

Whether you are presenting or facilitating a conversation, public speaking skills are necessary. But don't worry. Speaking is a skill that can be strengthened over time. When being a great speaker, one must Plan, Practice and Put into action!

Let's break it down!

Plan: Confidence is key.  Confidence comes from knowledge.  Know your topic.  Do your research. If you are presenting, find relevant information that is peer reviewed.  Compile a list of your thoughts, feelings and opinions on the topic and plan your guided questions.  Decide on how you want to present, using digital technology, interactive, groupwork and break outs. Depending on your mode of presentation, consider how you will get your participants involved. Having a plan for your presentation is key to gaining confidence in your speaking. 

Practice: Practice makes perfect? Maybe not, but it will only strengthen your skills and help alleviate any nerves.  Practise your presentation for a friend or family member and have them focus on your presenting style. Practise for a colleague or a critical friend and have them focus on the content of your presentation.  Ask them to critique you and be open to taking their notes into consideration.  

Know yourself. Just like we do with the children in our practice, observe yourself! Perhaps you are someone who overuses a word when you are uncomfortable, or even without your knowledge, such as “like” or “umm.”     Record yourself with audio and listen or have someone video tape you and watch it over.  

 What do you notice about your voice? Your content? The words you use?  Do you repeat words? Trial off?  Do you project your voice enough?  

What do you notice about your body language? How are you standing? Are your slouching? Are your arms crossed? Where are you looking? What are your facial expressions like?  

When you re-evaluate yourself, focus on the positive growth you are seeing in yourself.  

“I have taped hundreds of my presentations, and I listen to them on the drives and flights home.  If you think you can’t stand your own voice on your voice mail, imagine a three-hour presentation!”  Darci Lang, p123 

Put into action: Consider how you react when you are nervous and prepare to cope with your nerves.  This will look different for everyone.  Assess your environment and prepare. If you are a pen tapper, place your pen farther from you on the table.  If you know your mouth gets dry, have water on the table. Relax, and remember to breathe. Set materials out for your team before thy arrive, have your notes ready.  

Watch your body language.  Think about how you will greet your members. Whether sitting or standing, display an open posture. Avoid folding your arms Infront of you, which makes you look guarded and unapproachable.  Lean in toward your team, nod your head, use natural hand gestures, but avoid overusing your hands or pointing at people.    Maintain a comfortable connection with the team by engaging in eye contact with whomever is speaking and ensure that you are looking at each member when talking.  Use appropriate expressive facial responses to show your emotion and interest.  You can use your body language as a tool to set the energy for the conversation.  

Public speaking, whether to a large or small group, can be intimidating but it is a skill you can develop and takes practice.  You have to make the choice to do better every time.   

-Darci Lang, Lead the 90%