The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

DELIVERING YOUR SPEECH / 267

Step up to the lectern, breathe

deeply, smile, think positively,

and speak

Humanize and personalize your

speech—share your experiences,

values, goals, and fears

Do your best to be one of them

(unless it’s clear you are not)

Use humor where appropriate

(unless you are not funny)

Actively involve the audience as

much as you can

Focus on current local events

and issues known to the audience

Blueprint the speech: tell the

audience where your talk is going

Begin with the familiar, then

move to the unfamiliar

Talk process first, then add

in the detail

Visualize and demonstrate your

ideas where you can

Summarize your key points as

you progress through a speech

Give examples to illustrate your

concepts and ideas

Tell stories, and dramatize your

central theme

MAKE A CONNECTION

Ways to keep your audience interested

HELP THEM UNDERSTAND

Use the confidence that you’ve developed

in planning and rehearsal to take the

next step: get up and speak

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