08


Q4 • 2022


COVER STORY


the difference between getting a job or a key promotion and waiting around for 10 years to get noticed. It’s what gets your ideas taken seriously in the workplace. You’ve got a good idea? Great. Now you have to sell it. Daily communication is selling.” Unfortunately, what many professionals don’t understand is that every incredible speaker they’ve ever seen did the work to improve—and they can be just as good. Moxie Institute’s work is predicated on the belief that anyone can become a great speaker and presenter. Yes, even those with a perceived “fear” of public speaking, which Fasbinder says is actually many fears banded together. “It’s fear of being judged, fear of being


disliked, fear of disappointing your superiors, or fear of being laughed at,” Fasbinder says. “We talk about it like it’s just one solitary fear, but it actually has a lot of moving parts. If someone says they’re afraid of public speaking, the real question to help them understand themselves better is: ‘What specifically are you afraid of?’” To keep your fears under wraps, Fasbinder


recommends a physical technique called diaphragmatic breathing, which physically slows your heart rate and relaxes your body so you feel less anxious and fearful. (See the sidebar for more on diaphragmatic breathing.) If you are one of those people who became anxious simply by reading the title of this article, it may be comforting to know that those who seem at ease in front of a crowd or a camera were just


like you at some point. Nurture likely played a role in how that “gifted” speaker looks onstageage and how you feel in the pit of your stomach. A child who shows promise in some skill area— such as speaking—often receives support and encouragement to pursue it. Iff,, however, a child seems bad or average at something, that skill is not encouraged in favor of one in which he or she shows promise. But Fasbinder says that if you take a child who is “good” at speaking and a child who is “bad” at speaking and give both of them lessons, support, and encouragement, both can become great speakers.


ach.A ill area— support and howeve a child


omething, that skill is ne in which he or der says that if eaking and ve both ent,


“As adults, we see others who seem to find it easier than us,” Fasbinder says. “But we don’t realize that in all likelihood they simply just had more encouragement and support than we did growing up. They don’t find it easier because of any special talent. They literally have just practiced it more than you.”


Public speaking was even a chore for


Churchill in his early political days. After once freezing for three minutes while speaking as a representative in the government, he dedicated himself to improving and spent years refining his diction and delivery. Contrary to what you may have heard, memorizing your speech is a surefire way to sabotage your efforts. Or, as Fasbinder says, “Memorization is the death of authenticity.” The trick is to memorize your key point, then speak how you feel in the moment and leave space for your personality to shine through so that you deliver the human element that people are attracted to. “Scripts are for actors,” Fasbinder says. “We always teach that it’s critical you know your key points—the stuff that has to be said or communicated—but everything else can be freestyle.” Another way to help yourself speak in a


more conversational manner is to limit the words on any supporting slides, even if all your ideas feel important. Instead, boil it down to four or five well-developed points that the audience will actually remember. If a slide has 200 words on it, explain the gist of it to someone in one sentence, then make that sentence your entire slide. “The main point is


If you struggle to get your ideas heard inside your company, Fasbinder offers two communication tactics to change that: get people feeling and get people thinking.


the headline,” Fasbinder says. “And the key data be a large


headline,” Fasbinder sa s. “And the key d should be a large graphic. That’s it!” you ne er stand onstage


aphic. That’s it!”


company’s annual sales meeting, there is still great value in sharpening your verbal communication skills. For one person, it might be the key that unlocks their voice within their organization. For another, it’s a ticket to feeling more comfortable navigating those sometimes-awkward cocktail hours at an industry conference. If you struggle to get your ideas heard


Even if you never stand onstage at your nual sales meeting, t sharpening s For


inside your company, Fasbinder offers two communication tactics to change that: get people feeling and get people thinking. “Emotion is a powerful driver for decisions.


People can make decisions without thinking, but they never make a decision without feeling,” she says. “Their feelings are easier to access if you make that personal connection with them. They’re a person, not an obstacle, and you want them to see you the same way. If they feel seen and they’ve started caring about you as a person, it’ll be harder for them to disagree with you.”


Getting people thinking can be as simple as turning statements into questions. Our brains automatically answer questions, so pose yours in such a way that the person you are trying to persuade comes up with the answers that help make your case. Fasbinder explains it this way: “Instead of saying, ‘The break room needs a


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20