Beforeevery show, Stuart Smalley (a feel-good talk show host on Saturday Night Live played by Al Franken) looks into a mirror and famously tells himself, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”
While this is an exaggeration for the effect of comedy, the concept of “psyching oneself up” for a public presentation is very germane to the acquisition of executive presentation skills.
Read more…
In developing executive presentation skills, it pays to think of your voice in much the same way you might consider a musical instrument. There are an almost infinite number of ways to combine volume, rhythm (pacing), and “color.” Just as great musicians play their respective instrument with a conscious effort to convey the composer’s message and intent, the best presenters use their voice to help clarify and reinforce the meaning of their message.
Let’s give some consideration to the ways in which one’s voice can be effectively used.