Until a few years ago, it was safe to believe that stage fright was a very real fear that was felt by more than half the world?s population. It helped to know that you were not the only one out there who felt nauseated at the thought of facing a critical audience – an audience that came equipped with all those rotten eggs and tomatoes you had seen in many a slapstick shot. As for trying the much talked about formula of imagining your audience in their underwear ? forget it. At the most, it might reduce you to a fit of hysterical giggling or controlled gasping, depending on your age of course.
But be assured that, the buzzing in the ears, the knocking of the knees, the sweaty palms, the cold feet, the dizzy feeling and the dry throat are not mishaps that happen exclusively to you. It isn?t just you who baulks when someone thrusts a microphone in front of your face and asks you to ?say a few words?. It isn?t just you who opens that mouth to say something and all that comes out is ?aah umm err? ? a pathetic croak that not only defies all translation, but is also a very far cry from the Veni Vedi Veci. Oh yes, it sure helps to know there are a lot of turkeys out there who gobble and gulp. This is why probably, all turkeys (yours truly included) are so full of admiration (and not a little envy) for those larks who only have to open their mouths and what comes out is sheer music to the ears.
BUT, has the scenario changed lately to some extent? Recently, someone remarked to me that youngsters these days do not seem to know the meaning of stage fright. True, it?s not unusual to see toddlers throw away their milk bottles with one hand, grab the microphone with the other and literally ?perform?. For sure, the next generation is going to have very few turkeys and that?s a realistic supposition. Indeed, there are more ?young? public speakers today than ever before. And the older one?s are not far behind either.
Is it the media exposure and/or awareness that makes most individuals today engage effortlessly in verbosity? Or could it be due to the fact that almost every profession today demands some kind of verbal expertise? Media, Advertising, Journalism, Banking, Teaching, Law, Medicine, Commerce, Management, Politics, Sales, Entertainment – everywhere there?s a crucial need to ?hear? what you have to say. You might be a student, an executive, an employer or employee, the interviewer or the interviewee – ?voicing your opinion? and that too emphatically, is expected of you. One fine day, you may, out of the blue, be called to take centre-stage and elucidate something to a larger audience and heaven help you, if you gobble and gulp there. In this particular set-up, it is also not very difficult to see, why, the larks win over the turkeys every time. After all, who wants to listen to cacophony when they have the choice to listen to music?
Oratory is an art, I have been told, yet I wonder at times ? can this art be really perfected? At birth, some of us cry instantly while some others need that gentle whack on the bottom to get the vocal chords activated ? does this mean some of us are born speakers? In retrospect, this seems a bit absurd, but could there be a grain of truth in it? For throughout our lives there is that niggling compulsion to ?improve? our public speaking skills. In this, most people are aided suitably by books, seminars, workshops and associations like the Toastmasters International, while the more desperate ones are even known to resort to hypnosis to get over their stage fright. Yet, at the end of it, one can easily differentiate the ?outstanding? speaker from the ?mediocre? one. Does it then all boil down to the ?naturally-skilled speaker? outshining the ?workshop-trained one?? So then, what really constitutes a good speaker? What gives that person the comfort to take to the podium as a duck takes to water? Is it self-confidence and a complete lack of fear? Is it command over a particular language? Is it a genuine interest to communicate ideas to other people? Or is it a combination of all these factors?
What do some of the orators themselves think of their ability to communicate effectively to an audience?? Do they believe they have an inborn talent that makes them speak with ease or do they think this perfection is the result of relentless practice? Time to check it out folks but before that, lets all acknowledge again, this time, in the much more plausible words of Emerson – “There is no true orator who is not a hero..???.” AND for all those of you who always wanted to excel in Public Speaking, all is not lost.
Orators all ?
Gerald D’Mello – You thought you spoke ?excellent? konkani?? Well then, you probably haven?t heard Gerry D?Mello speaking. When you listen to him, you not only marvel at his eloquence, but also come to the conclusion that there are some beautiful words and phrases in the Konkani language, which were hitherto unknown to you. It?s like Johnny Lever?s Hindi coming face to face with Mirza Ghalib?s Urdu ? get the picture? Equally adept at speaking in English, Gerry gives you the feeling that he was born to wield the microphone. With the right joke inserted at the right time, there?s never a dull moment for the listeners. His words are poetic yet not simulated, factual yet not overstated. And, best of all, there?s nothing pretentious about his rapport with the audience. He speaks, they listen and many a times they respond too. Boring moments?? What?s that?? Gerry works for Aon Majan LLC, Oman (Insurance/Re-insurance Brokers & Consultants) as Finance & Administration Manager. Actively involved in public speaking he has compered over 300 programs in India & Oman and won prizes and accolades during his school/college days.
Did public speaking come easy as a child? At what age did you start addressing an audience?
Nelson: I was the fourth child, born into a family of eight. With three older sisters, I hardly got a chance to speak at home, the only place where I could make my voice heard was in school, where I used to volunteer to read the English lessons aloud in class besides acting in dramas and plays whenever there was an opportunity. To answer your question, Yes! Public speaking came easily almost effortlessly. I?ve acted in English plays from the age of 12 and my first address to a proper audience was at the age of 18.
Gerry: Yes. At the tender age of nine I did start addressing an audience by participating in Elocution competition in School.
Vijay: Honestly no, as a child, public speaking was not my strong point. I was quite bold and naughty but never had the opportunity nor was I interested in public speaking.
Ronald: Undoubtedly, it is a gift from the Almighty, as I believe I have this talent from my birth. The first time I addressed an audience was in an Independence Day Celebration competition and I won the first place. I was only nine years old then.
Rocky: No. I started addressing an audience 2 years ago (at the age of 49).
Did you receive encouragement from family and school? Did this have a positive effect on your skills?
Nelson: I did receive encouragement from the family when they ?discovered? that I had this talent but I believe that it was at school that I got the greatest encouragement. The knowledge that my younger brother and myself were selected year on year to act out the main roles in dramas and plays amongst hundred others greatly enhanced my confidence in myself. In more recent times, my wife has been the chief motivator; if not for her encouragement I would have never ventured into the public speaking arena in Oman.
Gerry: Certainly yes! Because of their support and encouragement I never looked back.
Vijay: Again I have to say NO, I did not receive any support from my family or school. In fact, when I was in Grade 10, I stood for election as the school Head Boy and while addressing the full school assembly for the very first time, I forgot my speech. The boys and girls jeered at me and it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. After that, I vowed never to speak in public again.
Ronald: Absolutely, my family?s encouragement was the root cause for my success. When I was very young, my sister Juliet used to write my speeches, though she wasn?t a speaker herself. My parents, brothers and both sisters were instrumental in my success as a public speaker. Talking about the teachers, during my Elementary School, teachers like Ms. Irene Olivera (Lewis), Mr. Nagappayya Hebbar, Sr. Helen Mary, Sr. (late) Vincetta Rodrigues, Sr. Cicilia Mendonca all supported me a lot. The best support came from my High School teachers, Mr. Xavier D?Souza and Mr. S.N. Mastamanavar.
Rocky: I joined Toastmasters Club in Doha and learnt the skill.
Is public speaking an inborn talent or is it an acquired skill? Either way, why do you think so?
Nelson: In my opinion it is a bit of both, the quality of one?s voice is inborn and if a person is gifted with a good voice it becomes easier to acquire the skills and nuances of public speaking through practice and training.
Gerry: Public speaking is an acquired skill. Because if you practice the basic requirement of speaking like vocal variety, body language etc., you can master the art of public speaking.
Vijay: I am totally convinced that public speaking just like leadership is an acquired skill. Just take me, as a first hand example; from my past experience I was nowhere near being a public speaker. And again in my 20 years involvement with Toastmasters I have seen hundreds of timid speakers get transformed into good orators. I believe that practice makes you great.
Ronald: It could be both ways. I strongly believe, I had an inborn talent in public speaking. However, if I have achieved anything in the arena of public speaking, the maximum credit should go to Toastmasters International, a worldwide organization that helps people improve their communication and leadership skills. I have several examples of others to claim that even people without inborn talents in public speaking have achieved a lot in sheer perseverance, commitment and hard work. Having said that, if you have an inborn talent, it makes your job all the more easy.
Rocky: I don?t think public speaking is an inborn talent. It is an acquired skill. To me, the whole purpose of public speaking is being able to get your point across effectively. With the right training, such as Toastmasters, you are able to organize your speech well, use appropriate body language and perfect your eye contact. These are skills, which are acquired and then fine-tuned through training.
How much preparation goes into the delivery of a speech or a public address?
Nelson: Planning and preparation are an essential and integral part of any public address because good preparation gets rid of the butterflies in your stomach. Once you reach a reasonable level of competence and are a regular public speaker, you wouldn?t need too much time to prepare. However, the amount of preparation will actually depend on the topic that one would have to present, and the time it would take to research the subject.
Gerry: Shorter the speech, longer the preparation. Winston Churchill said, “A three minute speech needs three days. Whereas a 30 minutes speech requires only three minutes of preparation”.
Vijay: A 10 minute GREAT speech requires a good part of 6-8 hours of preparation, writing, rewriting and rehearsing a couple of times vocally as you have to constantly modify, as a written sentence and a spoken sentence are different.
Ronald: It depends on the subject and the target audience. I am told that a famous orator Mark Twain used to practice for one hour for a one-minute speech. Whether people believe in this or not, but the fact remains the same, the better your preparation, the easier for you to deliver the speech without much difficulties.
Rocky: A lot of preparation is required as explained in 3 above.
If you had to choose between an impromptu speech and a prepared one, which one would you prefer?
Nelson: A prepared one definitely! But I am not averse to impromptu speeches.
Gerry: Impromptu speech. Because that gives you a chance to accept a challenge and it sharpens your speaking skills.
Vijay: A prepared speech is definitely better, but many times you are invited at many functions to speak on the spot, and there you have to go impromptu. Here you can use snippets of your earlier speech parts, so be prepared for the impromptus.
Ronald: I would prefer an impromptu speech for the simple reason that there, the expectations of the audience is less.
Rocky: Prepared one.
Performing an art on stage like acting/singing/dancing ? is it relatively easier than ‘speaking’?
Nelson: From my point of view, performing an art on stage is more difficult because it entails coordination with several people, the musicians, co-actors, dancers, directors etc. While in public speaking you take total control of the audience without the fear of someone else messing up your lines.
Gerry: Yes. Speaking is more difficult. Because whilst speaking you are alone. For acting, singing & dancing you have accompaniments of others, music etc.
Vijay: I think performing an art like acting singing and dancing is easier because these performers do not have an audience feedback and their performances are like clockwork and practiced. There are no breakdowns most of the time whereas for speeches you have the audience feedback straight into your eyes and this can be unnerving at times.
Ronald: People say that public speaking is one of the toughest things that they could think of. However, being in this field of public speaking for so long, I would say public speaking is pretty easy, in fact much easier than performing any art. But then some surveys say that more people are scared of public speaking than even death.
Rocky: I don?t think so. Each has its own specific training and preparation requirements.
You are saddled with an unreceptive audience. Tell us your most favorite and time-tested attention-getting tactic.
Nelson: I have been lucky, I have what people call a ?Gun Throat?. As soon as I thunder into the microphone, the audience has no chance but to listen!
Gerry: First of all, I try to know my audience. Then look at them eye to eye. Then ask them a question, which they would like.
Vijay: I get the audience into the interactive mode by making them respond to my question. In fact, I prefer to make one of them stand up to give us views on some subject, that really gets them to pay attention.
Ronald: Either I start with a rhetorical question that will involve the audience or simply state the importance of the topic on which I am going to speak (of course, in a friendly and conversational manner).
Rocky: Humor in most cases.
What is your idea of a ‘perfect audience’?
Nelson: An audience that stays awake and listens to you! A perfect audience consists of people who are interactive, who respond to the speaker through non-verbal movement and those who look you in the eyes when you happen to gaze around the room and catch their attention.
Gerry: There is no perfect audience. You?ve got to know your audience and by delivering a perfect speech your audience will be very receptive, thus becoming a perfect audience. It is up to you to make a perfect audience.
Vijay: After a great dinner and mildly drunk ? that?s my perfect audience as in these conditions they are very relaxed and receptive.
Ronald: Perfect audience consists of people who strongly believe that the subject on which the speaker is going to speak will be of immense benefit to them. That way they will be more attentive and eager to listen to you, unless you yourself lose them with your monotonous speech, without much substance in it.
Rocky: I wouldn?t say there is anything like a perfect audience. For me each audience is a unique, entertaining experience.
How important is body language in terms of creating a rapport with the audience?
Nelson: Research proves that less than 10% of your message is conveyed by the words you speak. Over 50% is through body language and almost 30% through the tone of your voice. So if your body language does not match your words then you tend to lose your credibility with the audience. Body language is therefore very important.
Gerry: Very very important. Through your body language, the audience is able to gauge your level of confidence and it is from here that the rapport is built up.
Vijay: Body language is a great tool while speaking, however it must be smooth and in sync with your words and ideas, not mechanical or repetitive, for it then becomes a distraction.
Ronald: In my opinion “your actions speak louder than your words”, but then the body language should be appropriate and should not be used in excess.
Rocky: Body language is an essential part not only of every speech, but also of every conversation. Strong body language gives out an impression that you are confident and powerful, and people believe in what you say. The right language illustrates and emphasizes the points you are making.
Any major bloopers on stage that you can remember?
Nelson: By the Grace of God I have been fortunate, no bloopers to my account so far.
Gerry: Yes! When the props didn?t work.
Vijay: Not really.
Ronald: Not really in prepared speeches, but surely in impromptu speeches, sometimes.
Rocky: As far as I can remember, no such moments.
Which public speaker (contemporary or historical) do you admire the most?
Nelson: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Gerry: John F. Kennedy (historical), George Fernandes (contemporary)
Vijay: The man with the Top Hat and Cigar, Sir Winston Churchill. His speeches inspired England to fight against great odds with Hitler.
Ronald: Basically, among contemporary speakers, I admire any speaker, who displays the basics of public speaking such as eye contact, facial expressions, hand gestures, body language?etc.
Rocky: Among historical speakers, Martin Luther King.
Do you think stage fright can be overcome? If yes, how?
Nelson: Yes! Stage fright can be overcome by going on stage more often and using every opportunity to walk up on stage and talk. It is actually the fear of failure that causes us to shudder. Accept that failures are stepping-stones to success, approach the stage with confidence and I can assure you that all your fears will slowly fade away.
Gerry: Yes, stage fright can be overcome. First, by practicing by yourself and then, by practicing in front of others.
Vijay: Yes, stage fright can be overcome. Public speaking is a skill you need to practice. Darren LeCroix, last years Toastmasters World Champion of Public has 3 rules he says you need – Stage time, Stage time, Stage time.
Ronald: Without any doubt!! With constant practice (in front of public, of course) and commitment, anyone can get rid of stage fright.
Rocky: Nervousness is a problem every speaker must confront. However, you can ease this feeling by familiarizing yourself with the room and the audience. You must be thorough with your speech material. And most importantly, relax and focus only on the message of your speech.
What advice would you give to those youngsters who want to develop their public speaking skills?
Nelson: In a world that is extremely competitive, every additional skill that you acquire will help in scoring points for you. I can assure all youngsters that the skill of public speaking will certainly increase your confidence and enable you to face the challenges that lie ahead with ease. Go right ahead and learn the tricks of the trade, you will not regret this decision.
Gerry: Public Speaking is the best form of communication and very essential in the present world. Youngsters who intend to develop their Public Speaking skills should take part in Elocution Competitions, Debates & Leadership Programs. As far as possible they should learn to speak about themselves. They should learn the art of speaking with sincerity. They should also learn to organize the speech – head, body & tail, the art of presentation, vocal variety and to use good words in a speech. It also helps to join any available Speaker’s Club like International Toastmaster’s Club etc.
Vijay: My favorite advice to all youngsters is “Read more books, meet more people.”
Ronald: Grab every opportunity to speak in public. The easiest way to improve your communication skills is to join an organization like Toastmasters. For youngsters, there are groups called Gavel Clubs, which use proven programs from Toastmasters International.
Rocky: The earlier one starts with public speaking, the better. It develops confidence and makes a big difference in the hectic, competitive rat race of today. It helps you to stand out in the crowd and to be more successful. All in all, public speaking can be fun.
Can you describe yourself in one short sentence?
Nelson: Of all the questions that you have listed, this is the most difficult to answer because I am not in the habit of talking about my positive or negative attributes. I always believe that ?I am just the man God wanted me to be? nothing more, nothing less. However, to answer your question, I would describe myself as follows – An optimistic person with a positive attitude!
Gerry: Someone who never says “no” to anything, amiable, adventurous, successful, devoted to life.
Vijay: Problem solver and Mr. Go Go Go.
Ronald: I have been trying to discover myself all these years.
Rocky: In three words, I?m – talkative, extroverted and outgoing.
Mangalorean.com sincerely thanks Mr. Nelson D’Silva, Mr. Gerald D’Mello, Mr. Vijay Boloor, Mr. Ronald Olivera and Mr. Rocky Fernandes for their valuable input and co-operation.
Personal profile of Mr.Ronald Olivera adapted with permission from an earlier penned by Mr. Agnel Pereira, Bahrain.
Personal profile of Mr. Rocky Fernandes & Mr. Vijay Boloor penned by Mr. Nelson D’Silva, Oman.
Author: Shaly Pereira- Oman