New Speaker Series: 4 – Learn From The Greats

Learn From The Greats

This won’t be my usual flamboyant style post with paragraphs and paragraphs of hilarious content packed with useful tips (said no one ever!). No, for this one, I want to take it down a notch and make it about something bigger than me or even you. I want to talk about the privilege of being a speaker and the responsibility that comes with. Woah, responsibility! That’s a serious word to throw into a series of posts which have, up until now, been anything but serious. I know, just stay with me for a moment.

Being a speaker (whether it’s at MeasureCamp, CRAP or Ted Talks) means that you don’t just owe it to yourself to “bring it”, you owe it to your audience as well. Because, for a brief moment in time, all eyes and ears will be focussed on you and what you have to say.

What you have to say. These aren’t just the words that come out of your mouth, but what they mean, the way you say them, the story they tell and ultimately, the idea you share. Sure you may have some snazzy slides, maybe even a few jokes, but to hold your audience’s attention for the entire duration of your talk and have them grip to every word that comes out of your mouth, that is a responsibility worth taking seriously. [Read slowly for maximum impact] And in return, you have the privilege of standing in front of your peers with the power to make your talk, the ONE great talk they walk away with…

All that being said, I want to leave you with three of the best Ted Talks that I have ever seen and heard. Luckily for me, they fit into three neat little topics. For the record, you probably won’t be speaking like a pro in time for MeasureCamp but I hope these talks will inspire you to do your first talk and further pursue the art of public speaking.

1. 1. 1. The Idea
         • Chris Anderson tells us the secret to great public speaking. There isn’t a special a special formula, but there is a special ingredient!
         • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FOCpMAww28
      2. The Delivery
         • Julian Treasure gives you tips on using the greatest tool in your toolkit, your voice.
         • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIho2S0ZahI
      3. The Talk
         • Rounding it all off with Sir Ken Robinson who gives one of the best talks I have ever heard about creating a culture that nurtures (not kills) creativity.
         • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

Happy MeasureCamping!

– Bhav (Twitter / LinkedIn / Website)