Public Speaking: Speaking Under Pressure

This workshop has been designed for those in positions where they must speak in front of audiences that are hostile or demanding. This material is also suitable for those who are relatively new speakers who want some encouragement to speak up in meetings or who want some training before they begin making presentations on behalf of the organization.

Speaking under pressure, or thinking on your feet, means being able to quickly organize your thoughts and ideas, and then being able to convey them meaningfully to your audience to modify their attitudes or behavior. It applies to formal speeches as well as everyday business situations.

It requires presence of mind, goal orientation, adaptation, and judgment. It also requires differentiating between oral and written communications.

This two-day course is aimed at improving your skills and learning some new techniques which will give you the persuasive edge when you are making a presentation, fielding difficult questions, or presenting complex information.

• Apply quick and easy preparation methods that will work whether you have one minute or one week to prepare.
• Prepare for questions, even before you know what those questions will be.
• Overcome nervousness that you may have when speaking in front of a group, particularly if the group is not sympathetic to what you have to say.
• Use presentation techniques that establish your credibility and get people on your side.

We will spend the first part of the day getting to know other participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.

To begin, we will explore what Speaking Under Pressure is. Participants will also learn an easy way to structure any presentation.

This session will offer participants seven easy ways to better prepare for a presentation – even if you don’t know the time, date, or topic.

Next, participants will learn about a structured method of looking at two opposing forces acting on a situation.

During this session, we will explore a three-phase needs approach and the idea of common ground. Participants will also practice creating an audience profile.

This session will focus on how to make the most of stage fright.

During this session, participants will explore what turns listeners on and off in a large group discussion.

To wrap up the first day, participants will learn what a key theme is, how to create one, and how to distill it into a key sentence. Participants will also be given a small homework assignment.

To begin the second day, we’ll wrap up our discussion on key themes. Participants will share their homework assignment.

This session will explore the idea of using three key points for a presentation. We will also share some tips for sending a memorable message.

Next, participants will learn some different ways to organize the information in the body of their message.

During this session, participants will take a close look at positive and negative body messages.

To prepare for the major presentation later on in the workshop, participants will be asked to give a short presentation on this question: “If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be?”

This session will give participants some ways to create strong beginnings and endings.

So far, this workshop has focused on small presentations. This session will give participants some tips on fleshing out those small presentations should they be required to present something longer than just a few minutes.

To conclude the workshop, participants will prepare and present a short five minute speech. Participants will also evaluate each other.

At the end of the day, students will have an opportunity to ask questions and fill out an action plan.