It was a public speaking contest for high school kids. It was held in a big room, in a big hotel, in a big city. The judges were professional speakers who make their living at this. The audience was full of parents, each thinking nobody could touch their child for speaking prowess. Lots of pressure on these young shoulders, but they rose to the occasion.
Presentation skills are vital to career success today, no matter what field you are in. No longer are presentations restricted to senior level people ? today anybody could be asked to present at any time. But too many folks have just not developed the level of presentation skills they need to be successful.
The young people in this contest have already built competence in a skillset that will give them career advantages over their peers no matter what they do. Here?s why.
? They were highly articulate. The ability to express a thought clearly and concisely so that listeners understand it immediately will give them an advantage in a workplace world where this skill is not nearly as widespread as one might think.
? They were confident without being arrogant. When you speak confidently, people are more likely to buy into your message, but arrogance will turn your audience off. This fact seems to have escaped many adults as they make their presentations to management.
? They were enthusiastic. Whether the subject was funny or serious ? and there were some of each type ? they showed just the right degree of enthusiasm or intensity. Too many business presentations are boring, because the presenters deliver them in the same tone no matter the subject or whether the news is good or bad.
? Finally, they spoke clearly ? they didn?t mumble! There seems to be a mumbling virus out there in the workplace today. People run their words together and drop the endings, so that what comes out is a meaningless jumble of sound. If your prospects are struggling to understand what you are saying, how likely are they to buy what you?re selling? Not very.
These kids were outstanding. They were judged on subject matter and delivery, and given points for tone of voice, volume, pitch and pace, humour and even audience response. It was hard to pick a winner.
I just hope these great kids don?t lose the skills and enthusiasm they have now, or they?ll sink to the level of way too many business presentations. And that would be a shame.
Helen Wilkie is a professional speaker specializing in presentation skills and other forms of workplace communication. For more business presentation skills tips, visit http://www.mhwcom.com/Presentation-Skills.html
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