Public Speaking One Fortune Cookie at a Time

One of the primary development areas for young professionals in our generation –and really, for everyone else too– is public speaking. Raised with unlimited access to technology, social media, and online communication tools like WhatsApp, Skype, Google Hangouts etc., speaking in person has become a feared idea, often causing us to be less effective in our interactions, leading/management style and overall expression of our ideas. In an effort to understand the ways in which we can benefit from the people around us to increase our knowledge and skills base, I decided to expose myself to some untapped resources New York City has to offer, and attended my first Toastmasters meeting yesterday.

For those of you who are not familiar with this organization, Toastmasters is an international community with presence in 135 countries, dedicated to helping people with communication and leadership development. Although each Toastmasters Club differs in their style, the basic structure revolves around gathering a group of individuals across ages, backgrounds, professions and experiences, and creating a platform for them to learn from each other. Founded in 1954, the group I attended was one of the oldest in the city and had regulars who have been members for many years. The two hour session flew by –its every minute packed with talks and exercises. I left the meeting with a strong conviction that I was a changed person. Here is why and what we can learn from them:

Graybar Toastmasters Club created a unique environment where the atmosphere was friendly, welcoming, open, and free of judgment. The members:

• Were cognizant of their flaws, weaknesses and development areas,
• Appreciated the honest responses for why people were there and seeking help,
• Encouraged each other to dig deeper into the reasons for their lack of confidence in public speaking,
• Were objectively critical to provide the best and useful feedback.

As I sat among a group of 30 individuals who have been coming back every two weeks to improve themselves and help each other grow, I realized that there were three main areas we can all focus on and practice every day to be better public speakers:

• Impromptu Speeches: Pick a Chinese fortune cookie and give a minute-long speech to yourself or to your friends about it. Most of us are comfortable giving rehearsed speeches but when it comes to the Q&A section or we are called upon unexpectedly, we freeze. Practice this skill on your own, every day, one fortune cookie at a time.
• Body Language: The most influential speakers are the ones that engage the audience with a strong grasp of the stage that also accompanies their speech. Everybody has a unique body language that reflects their personality. Think about yours, observe yourself in the mirror, ask your closest friends.
• Positivity: People like listening to speakers that they can relate to. As I watched the members give speeches about random topics, I realized that most of them were, in fact, very nervous but managed to overcome their discomfort with a lighthearted joke and a smile. This is a really important skill that makes the speaker really personable and creates empathy.

Gandhi says that our actions become our habits. Perhaps by engaging in quick exercises every day, we can turn our fear of public speaking into a comfortable habit.