The component which plays a major role in being an effective public speaker is to have the belief that if I can speak otherwise, I can speak in front of the public as well. The preparation revolves around the need of the audience. The audience always looks at WIIFM, which means What’s In It For Me. So, to be a good public speaker, one should know who the audience is and what it wants to know about the topic because the audience will accept the speaker only if it gets what it wants.
1. Tell us more about what you do and what led you to speak on this platform.
I am a Children’s person! As an Educator, a Student Counsellor, and a Soft Skills Trainer, I groom and develop learners into ready individuals. I strive to understand the facets of my students’ personalities that need improvement for personal growth and workplace prosperity. Professionally, I take classes and conduct sessions for learners from all walks of life. So far, I have dealt with learners aging from 5 to 70 years.
The sessions are tailored according to every student’s learning requirement. I believe in holistic grooming along with the prime area under focus. TEDx talk came to me as the most beautiful surprise. I was invited as one of the speakers to share my thoughts on Metamorphosis. I acknowledged the invite as I felt my life journey was an appropriate example to justify the theme.
As a caterpillar lives in darkness and finally comes out finding its place in the world, I have dwelled in a dark shell for over 2 decades. However, I broke free and came out in search of my identity. Since the day I aligned my professional pursuits to my life’s purpose, I have been happier. I feel free! Unarguably, the TEDx platform served as a stepping stone for me to talk about my challenges and how I redefined my identity.
2. How do you choose and prepare for a talk?
Preparation plays a major role for any speech to be acceptable to the audience.
So, the first step in preparation is the selection of the topic. The relevance of the topic for a talk is chosen according to the nature of the occasion; whether that is formal, informal, ceremonial, or celebratory.
After your know what the occasion demands, analyze the nature of your audience (age, educational background, demographic check, etc.). Your audience analysis will help you select the words, tone, and overall structure of your speech. People listen to what interests them (remember WIIFM!).
Then identify the purpose behind the speech whether that is to inform, persuade, influence, or entertain the listeners. And be thoughtful towards the emotion of the audience too. What follows next is the blueprint of the script based on the theme and audience analysis.
The outline includes the opener, core, fringe, and closure. Organize the talk in such a way that it gives them what they want to take back home. Motivate a response in your audience with your content, that is the aim! Lastly, ensure that you leave your audience with a call-back action so that the message stays with them forever. The trick is not to make speeches, but ever-lasting conversations!
3. How can one become a public speaker?
Speaking starts ever since a baby turns 6 months old with some babbling! Within a year the babbles turn into words and so on. We are all speakers from day 1!
It is imperative to highlight that one is not conscious while speaking with family and acquaintances, however, anxiousness takes over when there is a need to speak in front of the unknown.
So, the component which plays a major role in being an effective public speaker is to have the belief that if I can speak otherwise, I can speak in front of the public as well. The preparation revolves around the need of the audience. The audience always looks at WIIFM, which means What’s In It For Me. So, to be a good public speaker, one should know who the audience is and what it wants to know about the topic because the audience will accept the speaker only if it gets what it wants.
Another factor to be a good public speaker is to be thorough with the content of the subject. The more the preparation, the more is the confidence to face the audience and grab their attention till the end. A well-researched speaker can answer questions more appropriately. And last but not least, practice! it is the practice that makes a speaker sound confident and well prepared. One must remember, that it is the acceptance of the audience that makes the speaker, a public speaker.
4. Can motivational speaking become a full-time career?
Of course! Motivational Speaking can be a full-time career. Nowadays, every individual is going through stress and is facing pressures in life. The stressors are not only from the professional front but also from the personal. There is always a rush in life. Self-centeredness has taken over empathy due to which there is an increase in the communication gap between individuals.
No one has time to lend a listening ear. This takes away zeal and enthusiasm from a person’s life which further gives rise to negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and irritation. This later leads to complexities and rejections, catapulting a lack of self-esteem, motivation, and confidence. Eventually, gloom kicks in.
And this is where comes the role of a motivational speaker who helps in breaking this vicious cycle. The speaker helps a person remain optimistic and emotionally intelligent. Every word uttered by the motivational speaker is like a pill which when popped in, heals the patient.
Motivational speakers are required to help individuals to be in their good control which enables them to live and lead their life with positivity. Talks by these speakers calm and smoothen one’s mind bringing peace and harmony in self.
Thence, motivational speaking can be a full-time career. Obviously, after crossing the many hurdles in life with an 'In it to Win It' attitude! How else can you motivate others if not yourself first!
5. Which is your favorite talk ever and how did it change your life?
The talk that has left an everlasting impression on my mind is the talk by Nick Vujicic on 'Overcoming Hopelessness'. He gave this talk on Oct 17, 2012. He was 29 then and more than a billion people knew who he was. That is the power of overcoming hopelessness and possessing the 'never give up attitude. I have been following Nick ever since I got to know about him. As you may know, Nick was born without arms and legs. In his talk, he talks about how he turned those challenges into opportunities.
While growing up, he said that there were times when he felt like ending his life. However, his parents instilled hope in him by asking him to choose between being thankful for what he has or getting angry at what he does not have. And, the effort to make the right choice was the first step he took to turn his obstacle into an opportunity.
He said that if his parents had not told him that he was special and much loved, he wouldn’t have been in the position where he was today. After all, it is the absence of hope and love which makes us lose the strength to live.
I resonated with this talk because I was in the lowest phase of my life when I heard this. His never-give-up attitude helped me find doors in my life! I started making sure I had no walls.
Gradually I learned how to believe in myself, and with that came hope and power to take on every day with renewed optimism. The talk helped me both, personally and professionally. Nick sets a beautiful example of being appreciative of what you have and ignore what you don’t. I often cite anecdotes from his life to impart life lessons to my students. This is the beautiful multi-fold impact of a motivational speaker from across the globe!
6. What are the best public speaking tips that have worked for you?
Public speaking is all about owning the spotlight by overcoming the fear of the unknown. On any stage at any forum, the ‘unknown’ can include a technical glitch, forgetting your lines, freezing in front of the audience, or even tomatoes being thrown at you! The amusing aspect about fear is that more often than not, it isn’t even rational. Most fears are based on assumptions. The first step to becoming an effective public speaker is to understand that you’re addressing fellow humans, just like your friends and family.
If you can strike a conversation in front of your people, you can do so too in front of 100s and 1000s. The next step is preparedness with the script. Add to this, the magic of your voice. Shriek, pause and modulate your voice as the script demands. Rate of speech, volume, tone, eye contact, hand gestures, facial expressions, and overall body language needs to be included as well.
And do not forget to practice.
Being well-rehearsed is key to being confident in the spotlight. Whether in front of a mirror or front of a camera, do practice, observe and analyze your talk before stepping on the stage! Remember the 4Ps of Public Speaking – Prepare, Polish, Practice, Present! Last but not the least, take adequate rest. (Tip – Watch a movie a night before or binge on your favorite snacks!)
7. What impact do you want to make in the world?
I am on a mission to make more children happier! As an Educator, I wish to reach out to as many children as I can. I want to listen to them, understand them, and bring the best in them by working on their strengths and weaknesses. I strive to bring smiles to the faces of children and make every house a happy home.
Life, in reality, is simple and beautiful, it is we who make it complex and ugly with our attitude.
In times today, it is of vital importance to understand how harmful it is to be in the zone of ‘I, Me, Myself’. Two people or more might be sitting together, however, they are busy communicating with others over a phone ignoring the ones sitting next to them. Self-centeredness and ego have taken over empathy and a sense of belongingness. As a community, we need to learn how to value relationships more, and I aim to help with that.
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
Out of all the books that I have read, my all-time favorite is ‘Learning How to Fly’ by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It is so inspiring! His journey from being the boatman’s son and born in a poverty-stricken family to being the missile man of India and later becoming the first citizen of India is incredible.
I have been an admirer of Dr. Kalam ever since he became the President of India in the year 2002.
My cousin was part of Dr. Kalam’s security force and he would share several anecdotes about our former President’s goodness, generosity, and humility. He was the President, yet grounded. Dr. Kalam loved children! He believed in the power of every child’s dream. So do I. Dr. Kalaam’s book, ‘Learning How to Fly’ inspires the youth to not just be a successful person but also a good human being.
He shares a recipe with which we can all be successful and happy at the same time, something that seems to be a far-fetched reality, but isn’t! Dr. Kalam also shares why knowledge is our ‘BFF’. If you have read the book, you will be able to decode his equation: Knowledge= Creativity + Righteousness + Courage
Reading this book, expanded my perspective as a reader educator. It helped me enhance my traits and virtues, leaving me inspired and in awe of his teachings. I have to mention that I have been more motivated to read and seek knowledge ever since I landed my hands on this book. Truly, a good book is the one that leads you to many more! This is my ‘good book’.
Every individual has the potential to achieve his goals. The book also helped me in rebuilding faith in myself. No matter what the situation is, accept it and move ahead looking for solutions and ways to attain one’s dreams because every individual is born with potential, trust, goodness, ideas, and wings to fly.
I’d like to share beautiful lines by Rumi, which have also been used in the book-
“You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness.
You were born with wings.
You are not meant for crawling, so don't.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.”
Sonal Gupta - Educator | Student Counsellor | Soft Skills Trainer
Interviewed By: Nishad Kinhikar
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2 Comments
Really insightful. I really liked the tips on public speaking!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
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