| There isn't much difference between talking to | | | | as a chance to grandstand everyone else. |
| just one person, to a small group, or to a wide | | | | - An influential speaker has a sense of leadership. |
| audience. While you do have to talk a little louder | | | | He speaks with authority, stands up straight, |
| with the latter, the kind of talk that usually goes | | | | makes eye contact and speaks in a concise and |
| on at a meeting does not deviate much, in | | | | straightforward manner. He injects humor into his |
| essence, to the talk that goes on when you're at | | | | speech, but doesn't get carried away with just |
| a party. Therefore, if you're asked to speak in | | | | making small talk. |
| front of a group, do not fret. Think of it as just | | | | - A good speaker has a sense of time. He knows |
| having a conversation with one audience unit. | | | | that the people had set aside a part of their lives |
| When you're speaking to a group, you are | | | | to listen to what he has to say. He does not |
| speaking with a purpose. That is, you want your | | | | waste his and everybody else's time by engaging |
| listeners and viewers to think, feel, and respond | | | | in empty topics. |
| by doing something. Thus, public speaking is a | | | | Of course, nobody is without fault. If you, as the |
| responsibility. | | | | speaker, make a mistake or give false |
| But, before you balk at the thought of being | | | | information, acknowledge the error and make the |
| 'responsible' for something, realize that being an | | | | correction right away. Don't keep apologizing and |
| influential speaker does not really require the | | | | get to the next point immediately after you've |
| knowledge of rocket science. You don't have to | | | | made the correction. Apologizing incessantly will |
| memorize all the contents of the latest | | | | not only make you look like a novice, but it will |
| encyclopedia edition to hold influence over an | | | | also reduce your credibility as an effective |
| audience. | | | | speechmaker. The more awkward you seem, |
| What makes an influential and effective speaker? | | | | your influence radar decreases. |
| - A good speaker has a sense of responsibility. | | | | When you are speaking in front of an audience, it |
| Thus, he is careful with the things that come out | | | | means you have something substantial to say; |
| of his mouth. He doesn't bite more than he can | | | | that which will affect the people who listen to you. |
| chew; nor is the information he is supposed to | | | | Do not waste this opportunity by beating around |
| impart spread thin. | | | | the bush. |
| - A good speaker is enthusiastic and alive. He is | | | | The fact that you were given the chance to |
| aware that he is speaking to a group of people | | | | speak to a group means you already have some |
| with diverse interests and moods. He catches the | | | | sort of influence on them because they were |
| audience's attention by being himself, genuinely | | | | willing to set time aside for you. Take care of this |
| enthusiastic about the topic he is discussing. | | | | gift very well. Yes, influence is not something you |
| - An influential speaker is one who keeps his head. | | | | just impose on people. It is something you earn |
| He doesn't let the opportunity to own the limelight | | | | by gaining the confidence and respect of others. |