Great speakers make their work seem effortless. *SEEM* being the operative word here…Great speakers actually prepare quite a bit in advance of their talk so they can be almost on auto-pilot during their talk. Preparation is important. AND as a leader-facilitator, how you fill the space during the talk is also important. When you’re speaking with a group, take the time to prepare and practice with these tips.

1. Enter with a sense of possibility: Be open, flexible and willing to be surprised. Your ability to improvise and build upon the strengths in the room will be essential.

2. Own your voice: Consider your role, who and what you represent in the space you’re presenting.

3. Know your voice: How you say something is as important as what you say.

4. Body language: Your body movements express what your attitudes and thoughts really are.

5. Appearance: First impressions influence the audience's attitudes toward you. Dress appropriately for the occasion.

6. Speak clearly: Don't shout or whisper. Judge the acoustics of the room.

7. Don't rush or talk deliberately slowly: Be natural, although not conversational.

8. Pause at key points: Give the audience time to reflect on your key points.

9. Look at your audience as much as possible: Don’t focus on just one person.

10. Don't face the display screen behind you and talk to it, you will lose your audience’s attention.

11. Avoid moving around too much: Pacing up and down can unnerve the audience, although some animation is desirable.

12. Keep an eye on the audience's body language: Know when to stop and when to cut a piece of the presentation.

13. Prepare the structure of the talk carefully: What’s the objective? What are the main points you want to make?

14. Never read from a script: Prepare cue cards that have key words and phrases. Number the cards in case you drop them.

15. Greet the audience: Introduce yourself, and tell what you will be presenting.

16. Enjoy yourself: The audience will be on your side and want to hear what you have to say!

I invite you to offer your own strategies in the comments below because I KNOW you’re already doing something amazing here. You generate possibility everywhere you go. You’ve got this. ❤️