Speaking training
Discussion
I am looking to improve my speaking skills.
I get really quite good feedback for formal presenting. I've been public speaking for years, thoroughly enjoy it, and even won prizes for it in my teens. I still could improve, but generally I am OK.
My writing style also gets good feedback.
However it's the semi-formal bits that get me in trouble e.g. team meetings, 1-2-1s etc. Sometimes I am fine but on other occasions I come across as muddled and it's bad enough that even I notice.
Better prep would help but it's more than that - there's no way I can rehearse for every client meeting, 1-2-1 etc.
I know there are public speaking clubs, debate clubs, at one end, and more individualized training courses for business communication at the other. Right now I don't have a budget I can put towards this and I have already asked for feedback at work.
If nothing else comes up I will take the debating society route, but does anyone have any other suggestions please?
I get really quite good feedback for formal presenting. I've been public speaking for years, thoroughly enjoy it, and even won prizes for it in my teens. I still could improve, but generally I am OK.
My writing style also gets good feedback.
However it's the semi-formal bits that get me in trouble e.g. team meetings, 1-2-1s etc. Sometimes I am fine but on other occasions I come across as muddled and it's bad enough that even I notice.
Better prep would help but it's more than that - there's no way I can rehearse for every client meeting, 1-2-1 etc.
I know there are public speaking clubs, debate clubs, at one end, and more individualized training courses for business communication at the other. Right now I don't have a budget I can put towards this and I have already asked for feedback at work.
If nothing else comes up I will take the debating society route, but does anyone have any other suggestions please?
Thanks Roger, that's a very helpful list, especially for when I am chairing things.
However, sometimes when I have to take the floor, I have what could be called a mind-fart and wind up speaking about more than one thing at the same time, if that makes any sense. I was thinking that the most effective way to learn to check myself when doing this is by practice - I've arranged to go to a speakers club tomorrow to see if there's scope to learn techniques through this.
However, sometimes when I have to take the floor, I have what could be called a mind-fart and wind up speaking about more than one thing at the same time, if that makes any sense. I was thinking that the most effective way to learn to check myself when doing this is by practice - I've arranged to go to a speakers club tomorrow to see if there's scope to learn techniques through this.
As you mention client meetings and 1-2-1s I was wondering if some facilitation and also coaching skills would be helpful.
In particular these types of meetings involve being able to listen, reflect back and summarise what you've heard and giving good feedback as much as speaking well.
When in a managerial role and also dealing with difficult meetings I found these skills invaluable as it was much less about me in the "spotlight " but being able to help others articulate and jointly find solutions.
You mention no budget but there is plenty of info online (vids too) and maybe you have someone at work who could mentor you or to practice with?
In particular these types of meetings involve being able to listen, reflect back and summarise what you've heard and giving good feedback as much as speaking well.
When in a managerial role and also dealing with difficult meetings I found these skills invaluable as it was much less about me in the "spotlight " but being able to help others articulate and jointly find solutions.
You mention no budget but there is plenty of info online (vids too) and maybe you have someone at work who could mentor you or to practice with?
Thanks FLGirl, I think coaching would really help. I have asked for coaching and mentoring through work and it's really not available. Even letting on that I've been progressing my development outside of work hasn't worked in my favour, though that's a completely different issue.
I tend to do ok when I am leading a 1-2-1 or chairing a meeting because I am supposed to be listening and prompting/questioning/reflecting, though I am by no means an expert at this. When I need to answer questions or speak on the hoof, when I am on the spot, if it's not well-rehearsed or regular material then this is when I can trip myself up. I need to learn and rehearse techniques to catch myself in the act and check myself.
Luckily there are actually two speakers clubs in a neighbouring village, another in the borough, and a fourth near my place of work, so I am going to see if this route helps.
I tend to do ok when I am leading a 1-2-1 or chairing a meeting because I am supposed to be listening and prompting/questioning/reflecting, though I am by no means an expert at this. When I need to answer questions or speak on the hoof, when I am on the spot, if it's not well-rehearsed or regular material then this is when I can trip myself up. I need to learn and rehearse techniques to catch myself in the act and check myself.
Luckily there are actually two speakers clubs in a neighbouring village, another in the borough, and a fourth near my place of work, so I am going to see if this route helps.
Ha! I went to a speakers club yesterday just to observe and somehow got talked into a little impromptu speaking and even won a little prize. You gotta laugh!
However, it looks like a good route to take for now - I can learn a lot. What was most impressive was how easily and quickly constructive feedback was given and received between members.
However, it looks like a good route to take for now - I can learn a lot. What was most impressive was how easily and quickly constructive feedback was given and received between members.
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