By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Much Ado about Nothing
    September 13, 2017
    Repeal Without Replace Starts Destroying GOP’s Chances
    May 17, 2011
    Misinformation About IPAB
    June 9, 2011
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 10 Trade Secrets: How Exceptional Public Speakers Make It Look Easy
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > 10 Trade Secrets: How Exceptional Public Speakers Make It Look Easy
Business

10 Trade Secrets: How Exceptional Public Speakers Make It Look Easy

Lonnie Hirsch
Last updated: March 22, 2014 8:00 am
Lonnie Hirsch
Share
5 Min Read
Healthcare Success
SHARE
Healthcare Success[First of a two-part article for healthcare leaders about mastering presentation skills.]

Presentations. Speeches. Talks.

Healthcare Success[First of a two-part article for healthcare leaders about mastering presentation skills.]

Presentations. Speeches. Talks.

Everyone does them. Most people dread giving them. But only a few presenters know the magic behind delivering an exceptional, memorable and impactful public presentation.

From a Kiwanis Club luncheon to a staff lecture…from a major medical society presentation to a foundation or charity fundraising pitch, everyone gets the call. And it seems that doctors, marketing executives and hospital administrators are frequently invited to present, persuade and/or convince audiences from six to 600.

More Read

Match Day Looms, Can Primary Care Once Again Show Gains?
Moving from Volume-Based to Value-Based Reimbursement
Rise of People Power or Arrogance of the Academy?
Can Digitally Driven Kiosks Help Patients Find Medications?
HealthCare Marketing: Create Great Hospital Content

You need only to see or recall a TED Talk to know how excellent presentations can be. The nonprofit TED organization is devoted to spreading ideas via short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less) about topics from science to business to global issues.

As a practical matter, clear and confidant speaking skills are assets that leaders and managers can use daily. What’s more, they reflect positively on your personal image and professional reputation.

Over the years, we have yet to see a TED Talk, regardless of the topic or the speaker, which did not seem nearly effortless and immediately engaging. But, as all of us who have stepped up to the platform know, there are trade secrets to successful public speaking.

Here are some of the most important ways to prepare and present like a pro:

1. Master the fundamentals. This isn’t much of a secret, but there’s no way to skip being proficient with the basics such as “know your material,” “practice,” and “know the audience.” Toastmasters International provides a solid list of essentials in their 10 Tips for Public Speaking. And, in more detail, see Public Speaking: The Basics from the University of Pittsburgh.

2. Channel anxiety into confident energy. No doubt you know that “fear of public speaking” (Glossophobia) is nearly universal. Studies say that at least three out of four people experience some degree of nervousness when speaking, (and the fourth person might be fibbing). “Presentation anxiety” is common among experienced stage and screen performers, musicians, competitive athletes and many others.

You wouldn’t know it to watch them, but a secret of many top speakers is to embrace their anxiety and channel it into personal passion for their subject and their presentation. Sports champions “get pumped” before the game. It takes practice and discipline, but the genuine energy of top speakers is audience-contagious.

3. Have one, and only one, big idea. Anyone who is an expert, and knows a ton of things about their topic, faces the temptation to present too much information (TMI). An expert presentation will focus on a single core concept. Speakers find and deliver that one highly compelling idea that benefits the audience, they get to the point quickly and they support the main point without tangents or TMI overload.

4. You are the messenger, not the message. The best presentations are about the audience and not about the speaker. The audience may have been attracted by the speaker’s name or reputation, and they enjoy the means and methods of the communicator. But what the audience expects and appreciates most from a great presentation is their “takeaway.” Make the speech about them, with the primary payoff of gifting the audience with a useful idea, provocative concept, special insight or personal emotional lift.

5. Engage the mind through the heart. A SlideShare deck or Excel Spreadsheet will never win an Academy Award. The first order of business for exceptional public speakers is to emotionally engage the audience and connect with them as individuals. Top presenters identify what’s significant to the listener’s value system and touch their emotions through well-told stories, humor or illustrations. The fast track to audience engagement, and their rapid investment in your presentation, begins with a strong emotional touch.

MORE TRADE SECRETS OF TOP SPEAKERS are presented in our second and concluding article in this series.

 
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

Choosing New Tech Tools: Tips from a Hospital CMO

July 20, 2013
IVF and insurance
BusinessFinance

Paying for IVF

September 5, 2014

Hospital Infection Rates Decreasing

November 8, 2011

Health Care Buzz Today

June 20, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?