By Leyya Sattar
Since launching The Other Box in 2016, I’ve had the opportunity to do talks, and join panel discussions around the world talking about being a female founder, diversity, creativity, identity, mental health, community, race and more. When we first launched TOB, I distinctly remember telling Roshni that she would have to do any public speaking as the sheer thought of it made my anxiety hit me in the throat - until one day I threw myself in the deep end and now you can’t shut me up!
Public speaking is a great transferable skill to hone, it will help in so many other different areas of your life from being able to:
Communicate more clearly and efficiently
Increase your confidence
Networking and meeting new people
Handling big groups of people from job interviews, pitching, sharing ideas
Improve your listening skills
Organising your thoughts
Focusing your message
It will also increase your visibility in the industry as well as open up new doors and opportunities
Join me over the next 3-weeks where I’ll be sharing our tips on what I’ve learnt about public speaking in a 3-part series. We’ll be looking at general tips for hitting the stage, how to get the most out of your content and finally, your presentation and slide design. #TOBtips
GENERAL
1) Finding your style
Different formats (e.g. speaking on a panel to delivering a talk) will require different approaches, the best advice I can give you is find the style that works for you.
Sometimes reading a speech word-for-word is fine, but it's essential to engage with the audience, and you can't do that if your eyes are staring down at your script. I've tried this method, and it made me lose my flow and mix up my words. I am definitely a wing-it kind of gal (by winging it I mean know my content inside out and do it by memory as best as I can!). If I am delivering new content with specific information, I'll make cue cards with bullet points with 5 words max. to help give me a nudge if I get stuck.
2) Practice, Practice, Practice!
Take the time to practice your talk/presentation to learn and become comfortable with your content. This will help if any unexpected things pop up during your talk. When I delivered my first solo keynote, I recorded my script and would listen at any chance I got, so I understood what I was saying.
Practising will also help make sure you iron out any kinks and that you keep within your time limit - it's always better to keep under your time frame then go over (and this is coming from a rambler!)
3) Body Language
Communication is much more than what you're saying, it includes your body language too! Of course, what you're saying is important, but your body can also emphasise this.
When it comes to your body language, and if you're able to, I would recommend:
Smile - it makes you feel better and engages the audience
Face the audience and have eye contact - focusing on specific faces instead of a whole group can help
Take deep breaths so you can also project your voice
Stand (or sit) straight and roll your shoulders back - try not to fold your arms
Ground your feet in the floor (if you’re standing) - I do this by keeping my feet shoulder-width apart
Delivering my first talk in Switzerland, speaking about The Other Box and community.
4) Slow down
This is something I'm still working on. I've always had a habit of speaking too fast, and even now, I forget to slow down. It's something I am more aware of so I can consciously slow down. To have an impact on the audience in a meaningful way, you want them to actually listen to what you're saying so s-l-o-w it down! This will also help steady your breathing.
5) Take pauses
Similar to slowing things down, don't be afraid to pause. You can use this time to collect your thoughts before delivering a point or answering a question - it allows the audience the opportunity to absorb what you're saying, emotionally connect and helps you emphasise a critical point.
Chairing a panel with Emma Gannon and Louise Dearman for Stylist Magazine
6) Be yourself
You’ve been asked to speak for a reason - so don’t feel like you need to pretend to be someone else. This is coming from someone who battles with Imposter Syndrome. People want to see you speak - not a robot. They want to hear from you, hear about your experiences, hear your story, your way of explaining your area of expertise or experience. Use humour, emotion, and whatever feels natural. Allow your essence to shine through. The audience may not remember everything you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.
7) Watch yourself back
Watching your playback is a painful but effective way for you to tweak what you’re doing. I can’t stand watching myself on camera, I zone in on all the things I dislike about myself. - Hyper criticism of the small stuff aside, in playback, I focus on what I’m saying, which allows me to recognise annoying behaviours like saying ‘errrrrm’ or ‘like’ every two seconds. I’m from Manchester, it’s in my DNA to say ‘like’ but having a raised awareness around it allows me to be more conscious of it so I can improve my public speaking by eliminating it from my talks.
Top tip: Practice your talk in front of a mirror or record and watch the replays to see what your body is doing. Some movements, such as hand waving can be unconscious!
8) Beat the nerves
The more prepared you are, the more it will help calm your nerves
Get to the venue early and become familiar with your environment - check out the room, how you will get on stage, where you will be sitting/standing etc.
If you have the opportunity, say hello to the host and fellow panellists to build a rapport before you get on stage. I suggest doing a little research beforehand.
Take 5 minutes before you go on stage to ground yourself and take 5 deep breaths
Stay hydrated. Be sure to bring water on stage as it can also be used as a reminder to pace yourself
Smelling lavender can also apparently help too!
The Other Box x Apple Regent Street takeover: Delivering a talk for International Women’s Day
9. Take every opportunity to speak (and not about diversity!)
As people of colour, the world should hear our story. Take the opportunity to put yourself forward for speaking engagements and hold the door for others by connecting them with the events organiser. At TOB, we call this passing the mic.
The only way to get better at anything is to practice. While rehearsing is a great idea, nothing compares to the real deal and speaking in front of an audience, so put yourself forward as a speaker as much as you can.
Share details of any speaking engagements on your social media and professional sites. You never know who will see it and invite you to speak.
10) Enjoy it!
The audience has no idea what you’re going to say next - so no matter what happens, you’re always in control. Go with the flow because people respond to the energy you exude. Enjoy yourself, and your vibes will be infectious!
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Remember growth comes from breaking out of your comfort zone. So grab those opportunities, take a deep breath, roll your shoulders back, prepare, and GOOD LUCK!
Check back next week where Roshni and I will be sharing tips on how to structure your content.
Keep in touch with @_TheOtherBox (I’m at @Leyyax) and tag us in your public speaking shots!