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Source — M. Kipnis, «We train the ability to lead, be a motor and inspirer» (AST, Prime Eurosign).
From the book by Ron Hoff. «I See You Naked: How to Prepare for a Presentation and Deliver It with Brilliance»
“…Golden advice for your next gig: Don’t let the ball fall!” Every performance is more like a spectacle. The audience perceives everything through the eyes — and it will be useful for you, the speaker, to think in visual images too. If an imaginary picture helps you retain some thought or concept in your memory, use it! Let it be some strange or even stupid — the easier it will be for you to remember it. Plus, it’s just for you. Here is one such picture — this is a real gold nugget, it will help you visualize your future performance. It’s a little unusual, but it makes sense, and it can be useful to you when you step on the podium. Imagine that your performance is a large, light, inflatable ball that cannot be allowed to fall to the ground. Your main concern is to keep it in the air. Throw it up, juggle it, you can even deftly beat it with your head sometimes. Throw it to someone in the audience from time to time. Let the ball fly back and forth, let everyone participate in it, but it must always return to you — because it is you who do not let it fall to the ground …
When you speak, two things happen:
- The speaker assumes a certain obligation to the audience. He is trying to prove something that should get the support of the listeners and result in some kind of action.
- Listeners appreciate this commitment. “Does this make sense?” “Are these facts accurate?” “Does this person inspire confidence in me?” By the end of the speech, if the speaker coped with the task, the listener should shrug and say: “Well, yes, I understand you. I agree. I’m ready to try.»
A speech is a promise by the speaker to help the listeners do something. At the same time, throughout the speech, listeners evaluate the ability of the speaker to convince them, thereby fulfilling his promise.
And then the public, of course, passes judgment. Just like in court. “I intend to do this,” the speaker says. «I promise something.» «Let’s see how you can do it,» the audience says.
Is it really that simple? In fact, it’s even simpler, because there is one thing that can serve as a hint to the speaker. The speaker can constantly monitor how his speech is going — for this he just needs to watch how the audience reacts. We call it body language.
… «I can not be without you. You can’t live without me.» No, this is not the passionate whisper of a lover. This is the essence of the relationship that must be established between the speaker and his listeners. To understand the dynamics of performance, it is important to remember that it is more of a collaboration than a passive spectacle, more of a union than a confrontation, more of a convergence than a repulsion. The whole point here is in mutual need. If it doesn’t exist, there’s no point in speaking.»
From Garratt T. Effective Training with NLP
Use of non-verbal communication. Basic provisions.
- Remember the rule: 55% body language, 38% voice (tone, timbre, intonation, etc.), 7% words.
- Move from body language to non-verbal communication.
- Be aware of the non-verbal communication of others.
- Monitor your own non-verbal communication:
— smile with your eyes;
— use an open posture;
— make sure that your look expresses interest;
— stand straight, facing the interlocutor;
— use open rather than pointing gestures;
— Develop feedback skills…