Are you looking to become a better speaker and up the ante of your presentation game? Richard Mulholland, an expert business consultant and respected thought leader in South Africa and beyond, shares his inspirational insights into how to be a better presenter. Whether you’re giving a TED talk or addressing colleagues at work, having strong public speaking skills can help propel your journey to success. In this article, we discuss the workflow process that Richard uses when preparing for any kind of speech – from high-pressure meetings to interactive classes. This overview will give you practical tips on just what it takes to be an effective speaker in any setting. Read on for more information about how this savvy businessman ensures his presentations get results.
Understanding the power of storytelling as a speaker
Storytelling is a powerful tool for speakers seeking to inspire, motivate or inform their audience. It can create a deep level of engagement and connection, allowing the speaker to effectively communicate their message. By weaving anecdotes and narratives that illustrate the key points, stories can make concepts relatable and memorable. It also adds authenticity to the speech by providing context and demonstrating the impacts of the subject matter on real people in a meaningful way. There is an art form to mastering storytelling as a speaker—those that master it will be able to connect with any audience in any setting.
When preparing for a speaking engagement, outlining your plan in advance is essential. Gather notes and facts that you want to include and determine the structure of your presentation. Write down your ideas on what points or stories you would like to include, and practice in front of family or friends before delivering the talk. Also, it’s important to be aware of the room, who will be attending, and what type of crowd you’ll have. Utilize humor when appropriate by bringing anecdotes or quotes in while making sure they match the context of your message. Most importantly, don’t forget to stay organized and confident in yourself – these are key factors for success!
Creating connections with your audience
Connecting with an audience can provide a feeling of comfort and enjoyment. It may also bring beneficial opportunities and relationships. Whatever the reason, creating connections is key to making your message memorable and encouraging engagement. Strategies for fostering these connections include being authentic and consistent, providing valuable content, engaging actively on social media platforms, listening to feedback from your audience, and remaining open-minded. Put together well, these strategies have the potential to result in strong relationships with your followers that build trust and loyalty.
Establishing rapport with those you speak to is a key component of successful communication. A helpful way to build trust is to actively listen and focus on what the other person is saying without judging or offering advice. Additionally, open-ended questions can be used to stimulate conversation and encourage further elaboration and understanding of what someone else’s point of view might be. Respecting each person’s feelings, values and beliefs will help create an environment conducive to healthy dialogue between both parties. Positivity, courtesy, and friendliness are all important when establishing rapport as they demonstrate respect for the other person’s ideas and foster productive conversations.
An episode with Richard Mulholland on 356labs
Recently, technology company 356labs hosted a special episode of their podcast series with Richard Mulholland, the CEO, and founder of Missing Link. His conversation on his company’s success focusing on digital transformation was a wealth of knowledge as he shared insights into how he took the company from two to two thousand employees. Richard has been extremely active in the industry, speaking at conferences around the world, being featured as an expert contributor in various publications, and creating cutting-edge solutions for his clients. He inspired listeners with stories from his journey in entrepreneurialism—from a startup company to a digital empire—while providing sound advice for anyone looking to bring their business into the digital age.
YouTube: Be a Better Speaker with Richard Mulholland (356labs)
Photo credit: The feature image is owned by Richard Mulholland and Missing Link. It was provided as part of a press kit with permission to be used.
