I had a really positive experience in the classroom recently (don’t we wish they could all be like that?) and was wondering why it went so well. I started dissecting everything that happened during the week long session. I went over every discussion, activity, exercise, and interaction with the learners. What did I do? And more importantly, how do I do it again?
I realized that it all started with something that I learned from a former Langevin Trainer, Achim Nowak, in his book “Power Speaking: The Art of the Exceptional Public Speaker.” He breaks it up into a simple 3 level approach:
Level 1: The Craft Level
This level focuses on the basic skills of a presenter – what actors tend to call their “instrument.” This would include working on your voice, body movement, gestures, eye contact, and personal energy. (Be sure to check out Melissa’s and Lynne’s blogs for more detailed tips at this level. Great ideas, ladies!) Obviously, we need to incorporate these basic skills as public speakers.
Level 2: The Connection Level
This level focuses on our relationship with the learners and how we can engage our audience. So, how do we connect with our learners? Through the use of stories, questions, and humor. This level is where we begin to separate the beginner from the advanced presenter.
Level 3: The Flow Level
This level examines how we “come across” to our audience and this is where the magic begins to happen. For example, if you are delivering a “canned speech,” the listeners can pick up on this and it signifies that you don’t respect your audience. The key is to be spontaneous, go off the script, and speak from the heart. This kind of spontaneity is a “state of flow” where your presentation unfolds effortlessly.
The more I reflected on the session, the more I realized that I had gone “off the script” at times during the training – meaning, I was so comfortable with the content and structure of the course, that I was able to speak in the moment and in my own words. I was able to react to comments and be myself while still respecting and staying true to the overall design of the course. As a result, we all shared, laughed, and learned from each other. Obviously, the group was a big part of my success. We all know that having a motivated, lively, and fun group can make all the difference in a training session.
So, remember the levels. Focus on your craft, make a connection, and be spontaneous. It’s amazing what can happen when you just let it flow!
And for a really great coaching experience as well as a copy of Achim’s book, you may want to take our Polishing Your Presentation Skills course!
Marsha
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