M3 Verbal & non Verbal Communication

Verbal and non-verbal Communication in business: Public Speaking Skills- Overcoming fear of public speaking, Structure of a Speech: Opening, body, and conclusion; Business presentations-Role of audio-visual aids and computers in oral presentations; Interviewing Art of negotiation & Listening skills, Barriers to Listening, Strategies for Active Listening, Relevance of Body language, Rhetoric Triangle, Using PowerPoint effectively; Body Language

Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking (Glossophobia)

I. Understanding the Fear

• Glossophobia is Common: Studies suggest a significant percentage of the population fears public speaking more than death. Acknowledging this normalizes your anxiety.

• The Root Cause: Fear often stems from a combination of:

  • Fear of Judgment/Criticism: Worrying about what the audience thinks.

  • Fear of Failure/Embarrassment: Worrying about forgetting lines, making a mistake, or looking foolish.

  • Perfectionism: Holding unrealistic standards for your performance.

  • Lack of Control/Preparation: Feeling unprepared or exposed.

• The Physical Response (Fight or Flight): Your body releases adrenaline, leading to physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweaty palms, shaky voice, and mental fog. Understand that these are natural physiological responses, not signs of imminent disaster.

II. Preparation: The Cornerstone of Confidence

Confidence is a direct result of meticulous preparation.

1. Know Your Material Inside Out:

   • Deep Understanding: Don't just memorize; internalize the content. If you understand the core message, you can't be thrown off by a forgotten line.

   • Structure: Create a clear, logical outline (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) that you can easily follow.

2. Know Your Audience:

   • Tailor the Message: What are their needs, knowledge level, and expectations? Speak to them, not at them.

   • Anticipate Questions: Prepare thoughtful answers for potential challenges or clarifications.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice:

   • Simulate the Real Thing: Practice standing up, using your visual aids, and speaking at the actual pace you intend to use.

   • Record Yourself: Review the recording to identify speaking habits, posture issues, and areas where you sound less confident. While uncomfortable, this is incredibly effective.

   • Time It: Ensure your speech fits within the allotted time.

4. Master Your Visual Aids:

   • Slides are for the Audience: Use visuals to support your message, not as a script for yourself.

   • Minimalism: Avoid text-heavy slides (e.g., the "6x6 Rule": no more than 6 bullet points, with no more than 6 words per point).

III. Managing Anxiety Before the Speech

1. Cognitive Restructuring (Reframing):

   • Change Negative Thoughts: Replace "I'm going to fail" with "I'm prepared, and I will share valuable information."

   • Reinterpret the Excitement: Reframe the nervousness as excitement or energy. Your body is preparing you to perform, not to panic.

   • Focus Outward: Concentrate on the audience and your message, rather than your internal anxiety.

2. Physical Techniques:

   • Deep Breathing: Just before the speech, take slow, deep diaphragmatic breaths. This calms the parasympathetic nervous system.

   • Power Posing (Amy Cuddy's Research): Spend two minutes in a confident posture (e.g., hands on hips, chest out) to temporarily boost testosterone (confidence hormone) and lower cortisol (stress hormone).

   • Light Exercise: Do some quick stretches or a short walk to burn off excess adrenaline.

3. Visualization:

   • Mental Rehearsal: Close your eyes and vividly imagine the entire experience being successful: walking confidently to the podium, connecting with the audience, delivering a smooth presentation, and receiving positive feedback.

IV. Performance Strategies (During the Speech)

1. The Confident Start:

   • The Pause: Take a deep breath, stand firmly, make eye contact, and pause briefly before speaking your first line. This establishes control.

   • Strong Opener: Begin with a hook (story, shocking statistic, compelling question) to immediately engage the audience.

2. Use Notes Wisely:

   • Keywords, Not Sentences: Use index cards or notes with only keywords, prompts, or the first three words of a sentence. This prevents reading and encourages conversational speaking.

3. Connect with the Audience:

   • Eye Contact: Scan the room, focusing on friendly faces. Pick out 3-5 people in different parts of the room and speak one full thought/sentence to each of them.

   • Body Language: Stand tall, use purposeful gestures, and avoid distracting nervous habits (fidgeting, jingling keys).

4. Embrace Imperfection:

   • If You Stumble: It happens to everyone. Simply pause, take a sip of water, collect your thought, and continue. The audience will quickly forget a small slip-up. DO NOT apologize excessively. A simple, "Let me rephrase that," is often enough.

5. Utilize the Audience's Perspective:

   • The Audience Wants You to Succeed: People are generally empathetic and supportive. They want to hear what you have to say.

   • Time Distortion: Your 5-second pause to recall a word feels like an eternity to you, but is barely noticeable to the audience.

V. Post-Speech Reflection

1. Analyze and Learn (Critique, Don't Criticize):

   • What Went Well? Acknowledge your successes, however small. Reinforce the positive experience.

   • What Could Be Improved? Note specific areas (e.g., pace, transitioning, answering Q&A) for your next presentation.

2. Seek Feedback:

   • Ask a trusted colleague or mentor for specific, actionable feedback on your delivery.

3. Consistency is Key:

   • Seek Opportunities: The only way to truly conquer the fear is through repeated exposure. Volunteer for presentations, meetings, and even informal speaking roles. Each successful experience builds confidence for the next one.

Key Takeaway for an MBA Leader:

Overcoming Glossophobia isn't about eliminating nervousness; it's about managing the anxiety and harnessing the adrenaline to deliver a clear, impactful, and authentic message. Preparation is your shield, and practice is your sword.

Public Speaking Skills- Overcoming fear of public speaking,

The structure of a speech is crucial for clarity, coherence, and impact. A well-structured speech ensures that the audience can easily follow your argument and retain your key messages.

The most widely used and effective framework, particularly in business and professional settings, is the "Tell 'em What You're Gonna Tell 'em, Tell 'em, Tell 'em What You Told 'em" or Three-Part Structure.

Structure of a Speech

The standard professional speech is divided into three main sections:

1. The Introduction (The Hook)

2. The Body (The Meat of the Message)

3. The Conclusion (The Punchline)

1. The Introduction (Approx. 10-15% of the Speech)

The Introduction is your most critical moment—you must capture attention and set expectations immediately.

Element

Purpose

Professional Example

A. Hook/Attention Grabber

To immediately engage the audience and make them curious.

A surprising statistic, a rhetorical question, a short anecdote, or a powerful quote.

B. Relevance/Context

To clearly state why this topic matters to this specific audience.

"Today's discussion on AI isn't about the future; it's about the $500,000 we lost last quarter due to inefficiencies it could have solved."

C. Thesis Statement

The single, concise sentence that states your core argument or main point.

"Our company must pivot from a service-based model to a subscription model to ensure sustainable long-term growth."

D. Preview (The Roadmap)

To outline the main points you will cover in the Body.

"I will show you three things: 1) Why our current model is failing, 2) The three core features of the new subscription, and 3) The projected ROI for the next fiscal year."

2. The Body (Approx. 75-80% of the Speech)

The Body is where you deliver the evidence, explanation, and detail to support your thesis. It should be divided into distinct, easily digestible main points.

Element

Purpose

Strategy

A. Main Point 1

Focus on the first key piece of information or argument (e.g., The Problem).

Use the RULE OF THREE: Most effective speeches have 2 to 4 main points. Three is often ideal, as it is easy for the audience to follow and remember.

B. Supporting Evidence

Provide data, examples, stories, case studies, or expert quotes to prove Point 1.

Use Data: Use charts and statistics. Use Stories: Personal anecdotes or case studies make the data stick.

C. Transition

A phrase or sentence that smoothly moves the audience from Point 1 to Point 2.

"Now that we understand the problem, let's turn our attention to the immediate solutions available..."

D. Main Point 2

Focus on the next key point (e.g., The Solution).

Repeat the structure: State the point, support it with evidence, and transition to the next point.

E. Main Point 3

Focus on the final key point (e.g., The Call to Action).

Ensure the points build logically upon each other—don't jump around.

3. The Conclusion (Approx. 5-10% of the Speech)

The Conclusion summarizes your argument and leaves the audience with a powerful, memorable final thought. Never introduce new information here.

Element

Purpose

Professional Example

A. Signal the End

Clearly inform the audience you are wrapping up.

"In conclusion...", "To summarize the findings...", "Let me leave you with this final thought."

B. Review the Main Points

Briefly recap the 2-3 main points from the Body, often reiterating the preview.

"We've covered the alarming market share decline, reviewed the new product features, and established a clear path to profitability."

C. Reiterate the Thesis

Restate your core message using different, powerful language than in the Introduction.

"The time for incremental change is over. We must adopt this subscription model now to secure our competitive future."

D. Call to Action (CTA)

Tell the audience precisely what you want them to think, feel, or do next.

"I urge everyone to download the proposal today and come to Monday's leadership meeting prepared to greenlight this pivot."

E. Memorable Close

End with a powerful, final line that connects back to your Hook or thesis.

End with a story, a quote, a challenge, or a simple "Thank you, and let's go execute."

Key Takeaway: The Rule of Three

Most successful speeches, from TED Talks to executive presentations, rely on the Rule of Three.

• 3 Main Parts: Introduction, Body, Conclusion.

• 3 Key Points: In the Body.

• 3 Takeaways: The audience should leave knowing 3 things about your topic.

This simple structure provides a rigid, yet effective, framework that minimizes your chance of rambling and maximizes your message's clarity.