Incremental Improvement
“You can always be a little bit better.”
— Drew Brees
Starting Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Everyone’s nervous about public speaking, at first…
It’s not your stock-in-trade. So, it’s not unusual that you find it odd to stand up to speak. There’s that moment when you are introduced — making you feel a little bit like an item of trade, being examined…
Then you discover that with so many listeners, you have to be a little louder and more demonstrative in order to be seen and heard. And, from a standing start, an Opening is required, to get everyone on the same page at the beginning.
It’s different than simply stating an opinion with a friend over a meal. Speaking Out is a little like putting your ideas “In a Frame” so they can stand out and be remembered later. (Probably where the phrase “Framing the Debate” originated.)
Further on, you’ve got to finish big, but it’s odd to simply END it. So, a Summary is in order, to provide a ramp to the conclusion. Then, that final statement that wraps everything up in a neat phrase. And, the courage to stand for a moment and allow them to acknowledge what you’ve accomplished. They are honoring you, for your contribution, and you honor them by accepting. (It’s not a good idea to run from the stage… Set’s a bad example.)
There. The many reasons why Public Speaking can make an ordinary person nervous. Every one of those items is a separate skill, which must be introduced, understood, practiced and polished, repeatedly, in the process of integrating the disparate pieces into a uniquely personal style so unique as to be referred to as a “Signature.”
Add Persuasion, the able application of Visual Aids, the ability to do this in Impromptu Situations and the extended ability to do it all repeatedly and uniquely, and you have a Career Making level of skill.
So. How do you teach that? We suggest, with a keen attention to not skipping a single step!
If we just said, “Welcome! Stand and Deliver!” It wouldn’t be surprising to see people lining up at the exit.
But what if we began by saying, “Why don’t we begin by having you and your partner get acquainted, and take a few notes about their important life events and features.” Then, “Let’s go around the room with each of you introducing your partner.”
It’s a simple, safe beginning. No surprises. No shocks. No pressure. Nobody can lose. And the nerves decrease dramatically. Then the next, gentle step. And so on.
We call it Incremental Learning. It’s a fancy name for learning Bit by Bit.
But while it’s a simple concept, it lays such a firm, broad foundation, that most people go from beginning to end with very few mistakes, and very few upsets. Sure, if you’re especially talented, you can skip forward and choose the place you wish to begin.
But if you’re a regular person, it might be a good idea to check all the boxes as you go. Nobody ever complained about being too methodical about getting it right; but they often complain, “Hey, nobody told me I missed the bit about really nailing the art of staying in contact with key listeners as a way of lowering nerves!” So, indulge yourself by working through the process gently, and build your confidence as you go.
The difference between those championship quarterbacks, pitchers, hoop shooters? Just a little bit. And you can always be just a little bit better.
Applications
1. For You
“Starting Right Out with a Presentation” is a fine, but demanding way to start. Some people can take it. But others would benefit by beginning with the basics, like simple eye contact and dealing with the group one at a time. It’s a matter of tailoring the program to the student.
If you’re intent on learning the Public Speaking Game, begin with the basics and work up. The Pros, for example, don’t look like they’re doing anything especially difficult, but they manage their personal listener connections with charm and style, and everyone feels perfectly noticed and cherished. Practice that as a starter and see how powerful you appear in the eyes of your audience.
Then, there’s posture, use of the reading stand, movement, gestures, articulation, the list goes on…
2. For the Family
Practice. We think nothing of it for sports, shooting hoops, pitching, batting. But what about writing, reading, word knowledge, dressing? “Things Taken for Granted…” But they’re not “Granted” are they? They have to be learned through painful repetition and practice before they become what appear to be “effortless aspects of character!”
3. For the Office
Somehow, when we get to the stage in our career where we’re present in the environment every day, we stop thinking about things like incremental improvement. Unfortunately, that leads to a long slow decline in our expansion into mastery. There’s an old quote: Do you have ten years’ experience? Or one year of experience repeated ten times? Mere repetition without self-examination is just that: mere repetition. You’ve got to keep stretching your skills and abilities to meet tomorrows requirements!
Incremental Learning. You can be just a little bit better.
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