Exude Confidence
Every Time You Speak

The number one skill most requested by employers is good communication, says professional communication and speaking trainer Roseann Sullivan, who revealed "How to Exude Confidence Every Time You Speak" at the April 28, 1999 Marin Professionals general meeting. Her numerous tips apply to the job interview as well as to public speaking.

A charming, exuberant testament to her topic, Sullivan encouraged audience members to voice their own public speaking bugaboos. And she rewarded people who answered her questions by tossing chocolate candy to them!

Sullivan, who has worked with everyone from call center staffs to CEOs, said, "Fear not, you are not alone. Have you ever seen any old Bill Gates tapes?" Gates is infamous for his early form of "non-verbal leakage": the "fig leaf" hands over the crotch -- and he would then wave his top hand, creating the "flashing fig leaf"!

Sullivan divulged her Seven Secrets to Powerful Presentations:

1. Keep Your Nerves to Yourself. Never say, "Forgive me, I am very nervous." Heart racing? Take a deep breath and hold. Talk too fast? Practice reading newspapers out loud slowly. Pause between sentences.

Shaky voice? Breathe from the belly. Stretch your chest and shoulders beforehand. Speak louder. Avoid cold drinks and coffee, and drink lots of water.

Blanked out? Look up to access short-term memory, or look for a nurturing person, and say, "Where was I?" Or, just stop talking. People will think you are gathering thoughts.

For added poise and confidence, visualize your presentation just before sleep, for a week in advance, in as much detail as possible.

2. Make Sure You Are Seen and Heard. People notice hair and shoes first -- so do your best by these. And maintain good posture, even when sitting. Be sure you are in the brightest part of the room, and are not back-lit. Speak loud!

3. Find Out How Long You Have and Make Sure You Are Shorter. The Gettysburg Address was only three minutes long. Leave 'em wanting more.

4. Take Up Space. Rather than locking hands or arms, let yourself work gestures into the presentation. And lean in or get up close.

5. Visuals, Samples, and Examples Are Key. Stores and salespeople know this well: When given samples, people tend to buy! You are your own product, so give samples (descriptions) of the kind of job you do. Project manager? Give specific details about a specific project. Bring workbooks and portfolios; tell stories. Start with a funny true story (not a joke) that relates to the topic.

6. Master Question & Answer. The Miss America Contest syndrome is to answer too quickly, as if over-rehearsed. Pause instead -- this tells the interviewer you are listening. And make sure you understand the question!

7. Have the Final Say. The Law of Recency: People remember most what they hear last. After the last question in a public talk, or after an interview, add enthusiastic comments that clinch the tone for the whole event, so that the last word on the subject is yours. The "Miracle Minutes" are the first 60 seconds of any speech and the last 60 seconds, so when in a crunch to prepare for a talk, focus on these.

Sullivan ended artfully by quoting FDR's motto on public speaking: "Be interesting, be brief, and be seated."

Roseann Sullivan can be reached at her consulting company, Speaking for Your Success, 888-SPEAK-2U.