NLC Institute 2010 – Public Speaking

The New Leaders Council of San Diego (NLC) held its Public Speaking Institute session on February 6th, 2010.

The training was lead by Courtney Knapp, a professional public speaking trainer with Allegory, Inc. Allegory’s business is to train CEO’s, political candidates, and non-profit leaders on how to make effective presentations to audiences of all sizes.

Knapp focused on some key tools. An important and easy tip is for speakers to mentally focus on what they like about their audience. This helps the speaker generate an authentic warmth. Plus, it helps the speaker get out of their own head, and focused on the listener. Physical tools like pumping ones legs, or opening and closing ones fists are proven methods for loosening up speakers to give a comfortable presentation.

The Fellows took turns giving impromptu speeches to the class. Knapp made useful suggestions along the way so Fellows could retool their style midstream.

Some discussion also included the structure of presentations. Fellows were told to ask themselves about who is in their audience, and what their audience wants. Presentations are most useful if the target two to three points for listeners to walk away with, and special focus is needed for a presentation’s close.

After Knapp’s presentation, the Fellows left for a social mixer co-hosted with the Center for Policy Initiatives, a think tank focused on issues for working people. Fellows mingled with labor leaders, employment lawyers and others committed to workplace justice in San Diego.