Public Speaking Information

Ten Tips on Speaking with Authority and Power


No matter how good you are as a presenter, there will be times when you need to make sure you exude power and authority. If you are 'the boss' and want to be certain the staff will do your bidding you will need to come across with power and authority. You will also have to come across authoritatively when presenting at a large conference when your competitors will also be present. Equally you will need to be seen as powerful if you are wishing to make a name for yourself within your industry. However, even though you may want power and authority in these settings, you will not wish to appear arrogant or bossy. Using these ten tips you'll achieve the right balance.

1. Think the part!
If you believe you have the power and authority to say what you are saying this will help tremendously. You really need to see yourself as brimming with power, authority and gravitas.

2. Dress the part!
Powerful people wear powerful clothes. They appear smart, even in casual wear. They take care of their appearance and generally look good. Purple and blue are seen as powerful colours by an audience.

3. Speak the part!
Use power language. Don't say 'perhaps' or 'maybe' be certain. Powerful and authoritative people speak with absolute certainty - even if they are not really sure.

4. Act the part!
When you are on stage stand up straight, look people in the eye and dominate your stage with definite and decisive gestures.

5. Move
Move around your stage. Start off in the centre front and then move so you cover a lot of ground. Static presenters are not seen as authoritative.

6. Create powerful associations.
Link yourself to other powerful and authoritative people by agreeing with what they say. Use quotations if necessary.

7. Be short and sweet
Speak with short sentences and leave pauses for people to absorb what you have said. Long, convoluted language makes you appear unintelligible and therefore you have no power or influence.

8. Have a stunning opening
Start with a dynamic and interesting opening that connects with your audience immediately. Mention them, use a personal anecdote or ask a question.

9. Power pack your ending
Make sure your ending is power-packed. Like a great overture you need to end with a rousing crash! To do this, summarise what you have said and then give your audience an action you need them to take.

10. Stand still at the end
When you have delivered your final words - stand still, centre stage looking your audience in the eye. Stay there and pause for several seconds before leaving the stage.

Graham Jones runs The Presentation Business at http://www.presentationbiz.com which helps people become great presenters.


MORE RESOURCES:

Public speaking seminar Dec. 10
Tri-Town News, NJ - 19 hours ago
JACKSON — The Lakewood Piners, a chapter of Toastmasters International, will present a free seminar on the "Three P's of Public Speaking: Planning, ...


McGraw-Hill Higher Education Introduces Interactive Digital ...
MarketWatch - Dec 2, 2008
Public speaking is an essential skill for college students nationwide and it is developed through effective classroom instruction and guidance, ...


Working Q&A: Facing a public-speaking assignment
Pioneer Press, MN - Dec 2, 2008
I was on the technical team that helped develop the device, but I am afraid of public speaking. What is the best way to prepare? A: Don't panic. ...


Public speaking takes preparation
GulfNews, United Arab Emirates - 23 hours ago
By Mike Southon, Special to Gulf News The career advice I am most often asked to provide is how to become a professional speaker. At a corporate event, ...


Public speaking group grows
Leighton Buzzard Today, UK - Dec 2, 2008
The last meeting saw the club's newest member, Pat Cowell, receive her Icebreaker pin after giving her very first speech. Petrina Cassell, last year's ...


Tom Leppert owns up to blacking out public speakers, vows to ...
Dallas Morning News, TX - Dec 3, 2008
People having the right to air whatever grievance they want in a public manner is "the whole point" of a public speaking session. Mr. Leppert noted that the ...
Mayor reconsiders ban on broadcasting speakers at end of Dallas ... Dallas Morning News
all 14 news articles


Clubs and organizations
Beaverton Valley Times, OR - 11 hours ago
For fun and to fight your fear of public speaking. www.timbertalkers.com. Washington County Peak Oil group — 6:30 pm doors open, 7 pm meeting starts, ...
Clubs and organizations TheTimes
all 2 news articles


Don't Do This! Princeton Public Speaking's Matt Eventoff Offers ...
MarketWatch - Nov 24, 2008
The President of Princeton Public Speaking, Matt Eventoff is communications and messaging strategist for senior executives at members of the Fortune 100, ...


Toastmasters Aims To Improve Your Public Speaking
Tampa Tribune, FL - Nov 28, 2008
When Payne speaks before clubs and organizations some people tell him they don't need Toastmasters because they don't do any public speaking. ...


Public Speaking NEED HELP!!
Gather.com, MA - Nov 30, 2008
In Mr. D's public speaking class our final speech must last 45minutes. I need Ideas the best I've got are: "Why Adopt Foreign When there are Kids Right Here ...

Public-Speaking - Google News

home | site map
© 2006