21 Secrets to Becoming A Good SpeakerKai-Fu LeeManaging DirectorMicrosoft Research, China1We Present Every Day!Not just conference talks.Product group meetingsBillG / TAB meetingsPreamble to a demoConvince a product group to be interestedPresent patent to a lawyerPresent a group result at offsite“Elevator” talks2But Im not good at it.Presentation skills can be acquired.Examples:Bill GatesKai-Fu Lee3What Youll Learn Today:Communication skillsPreparing the TalkDelivering the TalkHandling Q&A21 secrets to becoming a good speaker.4What is Communication Skills?Verbal (words spoken)Vocal (tone, range, appeal, credibility of voice)Visual (physical appearance, clothing, gestures, eye contact)7%38%55%CommunicationSkills5“Without effective delivery, a speech of the highest mental capacity can be held in no esteem.With effective delivery,even one with moderate abilities maysurpass those of the highest talent.”- Cicero “The man who can think and does not knowhow to express what he thinksis at the level of him who cannot think.”- PericlesThe Importance of Communication Skills6Communication Skills = Fake?Most important factor is PASSION!If youre passionate, your vocal & visual skills will come naturally.Passion could come from subject, experience, or environment.“There is just one sure cure for bad speeches Get truly excited on the subject, and 99 percent of the faults of your speaking will disappear.”- Robert Montgomery But there are skills to be learned.Like reading, writing, typing.Must learn this, if you want your work to be understood!7Verbal SkillsBe simple and clear!Dont ramble.Stop to think if you need to.Example one: Dan Quayle celebrates democracy:Example two: Dan Quayle trying to say “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”8Verbal SkillsSpeaking is not like writing!Use simple words.Dont use complex sentences.Can you understand this: Dont use ambiguous words in speech.9Vocal SkillsProject & resonate your voice.No “UM”s and “ER”s. (Pause instead).Silence is a tool (To draw attention).10Vocal SkillsPlay your voice with pitch and tempo.To amplify a point, slow down, speak loudly, exaggerate inotation, pause in the right places.“You are right. I am wrong” Stalin to Trotsky“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”- John F. KennedyBAD EXAMPLE : “I welcome this kind of examination, because people have to know whether their president is a crook. Well, Im not a crook.”- Richard M. NixonDont use it everywhere!11Vocal Skills : Same message; many ways to deiverJohn Kennedy:“You need to contribute to your country”“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”.Quayle vs. Benson Debate:Quayle: I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. Answer 1: “Jack Kennedy is better than you.” Answer 2: Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, youre no Jack Kennedy.“12Vocal Skills : EnthusiasmPassion & Enthusiasm!If youre not passionate, why should we care?Example: Martin Luther KingI have a dream.That one dayThis nation will rise upLive up to the true meaning to its creed:We hold these truths to be self-evidentThat all men are created equal. 13Visual SkillsVisual Skills THE most importantAppear trustworthy & respectful.US Election 1960 was won on visual skills.Components of Visual SkillsEyesBodyHandsFace14Visual Skills EyesLook forward at audience (trust)Dont shift eyeballs; dont look in corner.Dont look too much at computer screen or your notes.Look at peoples faces (not eyes)3-6 seconds per person.Shift randomly.Nod, smile, use facial expression.15Visual Skills BodyStand up when talking.Walk around = informal.Dont:Rock, shake, lean too much.16Visual Skills HandsGesture complements talk.Should come naturally, without thinking.Make sure they match!Need to exaggerate a littleEspecially with large audience.Dont fidget or put in pocket.Videotape whole talk & watch.17Visual Skills FaceShow emotion!Most of the time:“I care a lot about this.”“I really believe in this.”“I love my work.”Sometimes (in response to questions).“This is the most outrageous thing Ive ever heard.”“I will have nothing to do with this.”18What Youll Learn Today:Communication skillsPreparing the TalkDelivering the TalkHandling Q&A21 secrets to becoming a good speaker.19Preparing the TalkAlways OVERPREPARE!Preparation includes:Researching the background.Organizing the talk.Writing the slides.Rehearsing the talk.Last minute things.20Researching the BackgroundWhen youre invited, find out:How long is the talk?Whats the topic?(Say no if you dont care about the topic).Whos the audience.Once you say yes, you are COMMITTED to do a great job.21Organizing the TalkYoure the salesman.First lesson for salesmen:“Tell them what youre going to say.Say it.Tell them what you said” Very similar to your paper!22The Central Message (it)People will not remember everything.Have ONE clear walk-away message.What do you want people to remember in 3 months?The answer to the question: “How was the talk?”Repeat it!23The OpeningSay something provoking!Give a (very short) outline/overview.24The SubstanceLogical.Convincing.Help them remember the message!Anticipate doubts & remove them.Smooth transitions Dont lose the audienceOK to re-order the sub-topics.Keep repeating the message!25The EndingEnd with a BANG!Repeat the message.Say thank you.26Writing the Visuals (PowerPoint)Prepation (80% time)First prepare outline (recommend : Word).Then modify outline for:Logic onvincing, flow, transitions.Actual Slide Writing (20% time)Should come almost directly from the outline.27Use of Visuals (PowerPoint)Visuals only support your talk.Spend more time on your talk!Simple and clear1 idea; 3 sub-concepts; = 6 lines.Readable Big & color-coordinated.Dont read from the slides!28What if Talk is ComplexDont lose people.Use grayed out outline.If idea is complex:Try really hard to avoid complex slides, butIf you must use it, use layers (prevent read-ahead & lack of focus).Remember to change slides for printing.Example.29If you must use complex layersa good exampleContent ServerProxy ServerClients3. return content1. open connection & send requestContent re-authoringClient/UserprofilesAdaptationschemesNetworkmonitoringCaching &pre-fetchingmanagement2. retrieve content 2. retrieve content 3. retrieve network data, user/client profiles4. perform adaptation5. return content1. open connection & send request30Use of Demos / MultimediaKeeps the talk interesting.Dont overdo it.Should be tied to content.Ordering : 2,N, N-1, N-2,.3, 1 31Rehearsing Your TalkRecord & listen to every talk at least twice!Record:Best : PowerPoint features.OK : Tape recorder.Must do sometime :VideoAsk experienced speaker to critique.Improve:Style, logic, timing per slide.32Get the Timing Right!Running out of time is a disaster.Write how much time should remain on each slide.33After youre more experienced.No longer necessary to record.Every new talk still must be rehearsed.Bring notes if you arent confident.34Just Before the Talk.Prepare something matching the occasion.Make sure youre not too tired:Get enough sleep the previous night.Drink 3 cups of coffee!35What Youll Learn Today:Communication skillsPreparing the TalkDelivering the TalkHandling Q&A21 secrets to becoming a good speaker.36Delivering the TalkOvercoming language barrier.Overcoming nervousness. Art of Good Opening & ending.HumorAudience participation37Overcoming Language BarrierPerfect English not necessary.Know your limitations.Dont use fancy words, complex sentences.Dont take any chance of looking silly.OK to bring cheat notes!38Outline & ScriptAlways make an outline.PowerPoint notes; Word Outline.Dont have to use it.It may be best to READ a speech.No excuse not to be fluent! (practice!)Dont stare at paper.(Memorize it if youre prefer).39Overcoming Nervousness“Do the thing you fearand the death of fear is certain.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson40Hiding NervousnessIt is possible to hide nervousness!Dont let the shaking show!Make a fist; hold the lectern.Speak loudly.Take a deep breath.Look at a friendly face.Look above peoples heads.41Art of Good Opening & EndingOpeningSay something relevant to the occasion.Need to research background before the talk.Ending“If you remember only one thing from this talk, then you should remember XXX”.42HumorGood humor:Respectful.Relevant (better yet: original).Short.Plan your jokes:Remember what worked.Use it again!43HumorHow to tell a joke?Set up (people should know a joke is coming up).Pause after climax (punch line).Move on naturally if no reaction!44Audience ParticipationBest way for people to remember!Ask audience a questionAnticipate their answer(s)!Respond with something interesting AND relevant.45Be YourselfLearn the skills; dont copy the styles.You must be yourself to be credible.Many styles could be effective:Bill Gates Brilliant technologistSteve Ballmer Powerful salesmanSteve Jobs Passionate evangelist46What Youll Learn Today:Communication skillsPreparing the TalkDelivering the TalkHandling Q&A21 secrets to becoming a good speaker.47Q&AQ&A is your chance to:Amplify your points.Increase your credibility.48Dealing with QuestionsEasy QuestionsAmplify your points!Hard QuestionsNo need to answer directly.But dont hide!Narrow QuestionsTake offline.49Q&A Giving A Good AnswerRespect the listenerRight body languageRepeat the questionComplete if people cannot hear.Paraphrase to help amplify your point.If people are too shy, you start!Dont argue or dismiss a question.5021 Secrets#1 Anybody can learn to give a good talk.5121 Secrets#2 Dont give a talk unless youre passionate.5221 Secrets#3 Use simple and clear words.5321 Secrets#4 Play your voice to focus on key points.5421 Secrets#5 Silence is a great tool.5521 Secrets#6 Overprepare every talk.5621 Secrets#7 Tell them what youre going to say.Say it.Tell them what you said.5721 Secrets#8 Have ONE clear central message for:the question “How was the talk”5821 Secrets#9 Open your talk with something thought-provoking5921 Secrets#10 Slides should be simple & clear.6021 Secrets#11 Dont read from your slides.6121 Secrets#12 Order your demos.6221 Secrets#13 Rehearse & listen to each talkat least twice!6321 Secrets#14 Time your talk on every slide.6421 Secrets#15 It may be OK to read from a script.6521 Secrets#16 Stay awake!Drink 3 cups of coffee before your talk.6621 Secrets#17 It is possible to hide nervousness.6721 Secrets#18 Tailor your opening remarks to the occasion.6821 Secrets#19 “If you only remember one thing fromthis talk, you should remember XXX”6921 Secrets#20 Humor & Interactivity must berelevant and well-planned.7021 Secrets#21 Q&A can help you more than the audience.71ConclusionGiving a talk is easyIt just takes:A little passionA lot of practice!72