The Guru Nation Blog

I had to determine how to give a good speech when I was 15 years old and running for class president. I was the only young woman trying to get the nod and the slate boasted 6 young men and me. I asked my professors if there were rules for how to give a good speech so I could stand out, and all graciously cheered on my candidacy but didn’t offer anything different than the familiar “stand up straight and smile” sort of advice I had already heard. I kept wondering if I had to show up in provocative clothing in order to be remembered or conversely had to wear a “suit” so I would seem more serious.
When it came time to take the stage, I decided that how to give a good speech was ultimately about clarity. Could I deliver a message that was clear, concise, and easy for my “public” to understand? I did. I won.

As a professional, I believe it is essential to deliver a message with clarity, but
there are nuances that help you perfect your presentation. Here are three:

1. Don’t Bury the Lead

Sometimes people who are well-prepared to deliver a speech or presentation forget to make clear their central message. Stories and anecdotes pepper a speech and may warm the crowd, but if you don’t get your main thought center stage, you have done what journalists warn against. You have buried the lead. Outline your points before you present publicly, and test your message in front of a “sample private audience.” Ask them to feed back the main point of your talk and see if it in fact is what you intended.

2. Follow the “18 Minute Rule”

What is the 18-minute rule? It’s pretty direct and easy to remember. After 18 minutes, you will lose the attention of 18% of your audience! What that means for you as a presenter is that you have 17 minutes – maximum – to get your initial message across. After that, you might pick up coughing and seat shifting. What are your choices at the 18-minute mark? There are many depending on your delivery style, but here are just a few:
Hand out a quiz, bring a display onto the stage, hand out cookies. This is your chance to be creative!

3. Be Your Audience’s Tour Guide

Don’t force your audience to connect the dots. They want your message to be very clear. It sounds so easy, but most presenters confuse their audiences by never providing a sequence of ideas that the audience can follow. Your information may be stellar, new and exciting, but if the audience can’t follow your train of thought, you are letting them down. What’s worse, they won’t tell you. Commit to be your audience’s tour guide. Make sure they can follow you. Even though you’re not standing outside the Lincoln Memorial with a whistle and Tour Guide sign, you are solely responsible for leading your audience where they should go.

Pay attention to the essential need to always deliver clear messages and you’ll know how to give a good speech. Practice the nuances and you’ll deliver a stellar presentation every time!