Samuel Seibert

 
 
I joined a Toastmasters club in April 12′. Toastmasters is an organized forum for people to practice public speaking through the delivery of impromptu and prepared speeches.
 
Since I dove into Toastmasters at the beginning of this spring, I had been on the lookout for extra advice on growing my speaking ability, and  “The Exceptional Presenter“ By Timothy J. Koegel provided me with just that.
 
 
Below are two quotes from the book that were especially impacting to me. I’ve bolded the sections that I highlighted when reading my hard copy.
 
 
1.) “With your hands at your sides, you appear open, eager, confident and seasoned. You do not appear defensive or like you are trying to hide something.“ , page 60
 
This advice stood out to me because I’ve found that standing with my hands at my sides makes me feel vulnerable when speaking. However, I also realize that taking the other poses that Koegel describes, (standing with my hands in my pockets or crossed in front of my chest), can be perceived as fidgety or defensive.
 
Koegel’s comment encouraged me to remember that when I am speaking, I should think of it as taking a stance of vulnerable confidence. Although I am feeling vulnerable it is possible, and important to work through this feeling, and become more confident.
 
 
2.) “People do not hang on every word we say. That is why we need to be deliberate. Use pace and inflection to make your words jump out at your audience. Force the listener to hear what is important for them to hear.“, page 85
 
The idea of a meaningful pause or speaking at a slower pace, actually forcing the listener to hear something is a different spin for me. Previously, I would also think of people inserting pauses into their speeches as hamming it up, or making their presentation too theatrical.
 
After being involved in Toastmasters, I realize how much static, noise, and misinterpretation there is between what I say and what my audience hears. I need to drop in that……pause, to recapture their attention, and ensure the listeners heard the most important part.
 
 
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. The chapters were written with a quick and easy sentence structure so I could read a few pages here-and-there throughout the work day or while waiting in line at the supermarket. Certainly check out “The Exceptional Presenter“ By Timothy J. Koegel if you have a chance.
 
 

Disclaimer: The Amazon links used in this post are affiliate links. That means if you click through the Amazon links and buy the book, it does NOT cost you anything extra but Amazon does send me a tiny % as a thank you.
 
If you found this helpful, and do decide to get the book, please purchase it through one of the links here.
 
Thanks ^_^