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President Obama’s Master Class at UWI

President Barrack Obama gave a Master Class at UWI, Mona yesterday April 10, 2015. CARIMAC could have taken lessons for a new course in The Art of Public Speaking and Exceptional Communication.

It is a fact that the fear of public speaking comes in at # 2 on the list of fears. People would rather die literally, than speak in public (fear # 1 is the fear of flying NOT dying)!  For some of you who are professors, lecturers and motivational speakers this may seem extreme but we are the exception.

So what is all the fussing and sweating about? I think it is really a fear of making a public ‘donkey’ of one’s self!

What did we learn from the President’s Master Class?

Lesson # 1 Know your audience and establish rapport at the outset

‘Greetings  Massive. Wha a gwaan Jamaica? …Big up UWI’….‘I was born on an island and it was warm’

It also helps to tell great stories that resonate with the audience. The story about young leaders like Jerome Cowans was shared. A youth from a tough community in Kingston, Jerome won the Nelson Mandela Innovation Award last year.

Lesson #2 Be comfortable, relaxed, confident and poised

Don’t talk right away, that may communicate a little bit of insecurity and fear. Instead, quietly walk out on stage. Then take a deep breath, find your place and wait a few seconds. It shows the audience you’re totally confident and in charge of the situation.

Lesson # 3 Get personal

Latch on to a pair of eyes. Make eye contact with audience members one by one. Scanning and panning is your worst enemy. It may look like you’re looking at everyone but it actually disconnects you from everyone.

Lesson # 4 Be articulate and knowledgeable

Be a master of your craft. Know your content like the back of your hand and speak slowly and clearly.

Do not rush. The audience showed up for you. They have time.

Lesson # 5 Think on your feet

When someone aims a question don’t be tempted to jump on it as if it’s a live grenade. We fear that even a bit of silence will be read negatively. So we rush in…only to be forced to stick our feet in our mouths.

Lesson #6 Handle difficult questions well

When the question is vague, complex or inappropriate give yourself more time. Give your brain a chance to do a little more processing and pull out the pertinent information and needed words.

You can do any of the following:

1. Ask them to repeat the question.
2. Ask for clarification.
3. Ask for a definition.
4. Clarify or define a point yourself.
5. Use hedging to answer an inappropriate question
6. Respond to one aspect of the question/line of questioning.
7. Refocus the question.
8. Discuss the question.
9. Build a bridge to what you wish to talk about.
10. Use a funnel when you want to narrow the field of discussion.

Lesson # 7 Bring the energy and leave them wanting more

I invite you to join me as I share the journey towards this ambitious goal – 1,000,000 downloads!!!

Join the movement. The Jamaica Sprint to #1 E-Book Challenge.

If your dream does not scare you then it’s not big enough!

More on Monday…..

Sandra