How to be a good orator???

As you have seen, this blog is about the characteristics that will make you a good speaker/communicator? Before we jump into that, let’s just quickly understand why is communication important?

This quote by Steve Job will say it all, “You can have the best idea in the world, but if you can’t communicate your ideas, it does not matter”.

One last question before we jump into the blog, Want your honest answers here,

Write three words that come to mind when you hear the word ‘debating’

A good communicator is not someone who speaks without any gaps or fillers like ah, uh,… Everyone says uh sometimes, including me, and it is not bad at all. The only thing that should be noted is that it should not be overused? Imagine you go to a talk and you see the speaker making a lot of fillers like uh, ah like 4 to 5 minutes within 2 to 3 minutes. What will you think of him? You will think, “Why is this guy blabbering?” and whatsoever.

So, being a good speaker has nothing to do with being glib and articulate. For most people, being a good speaker corresponds to a confident communicator. Sounds abstract?

To put it simply, it means looking like you mean what you’re talking about and sounding like you mean what you’re talking about. A good speaker draws you in and engages you. A good speaker makes you feel they’re talking directly to you even though dozens or maybe hundreds of thousands are watching.

Good communication is a combination of 3 connections — the ABCs

A — connect with the audience

B — Connect with your body & voice

C — connect with your content.

The intersection of these circles is what differentiates one person from another. It is impact & charisma. This is the recipe for being a confident communicator

To dig a bit deeper, people first notice your attitude which will communicate your emotions & messages. There is a well-provem framework for this as well. The 3 Vs

V Visual — how do you present yourself & your facial expressions

V — Vocal — your voice modulation, tone, volume, and your pauses. Silence is powerful

V — Verbal — use the right words to communicate.

You have to speak passionately and make the audience feel you and connect with your topic. Your voice will own the message. To speak with conviction. Remember this always whenever you speak, “Words has the power to change the word and they have”. So be very mindful of choosing the right words.

A good speaker is also someone who’s willing to be vulnerable in front of others. Sometimes it’s through a heartwarming story of your loss or failure. Other times it’s through the sharing of an experience that holds meaning for you as well. A good speaker touches you, a good speaker makes you listen, a good speaker can make you act. A good speaker is connected, connected to themselves, and connected to those they talk to. All of these qualities come together so the speaker sounds and looks like they know what they’re talking about.

All these put together will make one a good speaker. How can you incorporate all these within your say 5 minutes of presentation? Believe me, there is no shortcut. It comes with practice, practice and practice!!!