Public speaking
This is an enormous topic with hundreds of ideas and equal number of books available. Here I am outlining some basic yet effective speaking considerations that have worked for me every time.
Learn to listen
Most people have poor listening skills. When someone is talking to us, we start thinking about what we are going to say next. The Listening Ladder described earlier in this chapter should be consciously kept in mind when engaging with anyone in any situation.
Understand your audience
Before any speaking engagement, work with your sponsor to understand who would be the participants and what is important to them. Are there any hot spots you should avoid? Any topics that might be particularly sensitive to this crowd? Also, determine what kind of outcomes the audience would consider successful. Calibrate your goals to their expectations.
Structure your message
Craft the essence of your message and review it with your sponsor, to make certain it meets...
