Public Speaking

Public speaking is a life hack. People judge us by the content of our writing and speaking. That may not be fair, but it's true. Improving all communication helps you advance. 

The best time to fill your toolbox and add life hacks is when you're young. That allows you to maximize the Achievement Equation: 

ACHIEVEMENT = PERFORMANCE x TIME

Start young and the TIME lasts the longest. 

The MVB blog informs MVB history, culture, volleyball principles, physical training and more. And it shares ideas for personal growth:

• Mental Models
• Cognitive Biases
• Studying Better (e.g. Pomodoro Technique)
• Efficiency (e.g. Pareto Principle, the 80/20 Rule)
• Productivity Ideas
• Habit Management
• Critical Thinking Tools
• Structure (AIR - analytics, identity, revision)
• Winning Strategies
• Cleaning up mistakes

Remember that "Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement" and "experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted." Consider how to speak well. 

Here are concepts, some adapted from MasterClass.

Impact. Great addresses change the world. You've heard some, like The Gettysburg Address, President Kennedy's Inaugural ("Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."), General MacArthur's speech to West Point graduates ("duty, honor, country"). 

Audience. Know your audience. To reach them, know them. Learn their needs, desires, and backgrounds. The graduates of the most affluent communities differ from those in less affluent ones. 

Connection. Find ways to touch the hearts of your listeners. Admiral McRaven spoke to graduates at the University of Texas explaining SEAL training, starting with make your bed. After the hardest day imaginable, it's great to return to a well-made bed. 

Communication. Speak the language of your audience. Jargon, slang, and cursing might work for a few audiences, but usually not. I recall a speaker at a college event telling students about preparing for interviews. She began, "flip flops are not shoes." 

Humor. Humor helps us connect. Most stories have three parts - beginning, middle, and end. "What were the last words Washington told his men before crossing the Delaware? (Pause.......). Get in the boat." 

Stories. Make stories memorable. In Made to Stick, the Heath Brothers advise the acronym SUCCESS - simple, unexpected, concrete (specific), credible, emotional, stories. Reading the blog helps arm you with stories. 

Questions? Sometimes questions help frame a debate. Dan Pink reminds us of the 1980 Presidential election where Ronald Reagan asked, "are you better off than you were four years ago?" But only ask when you are certain... You remember 2020, being in the throes of the Global Pandemic? MVB didn't have a 'real' season. 

Practice! To become a better speaker, practice your delivery - by yourself, in front of a mirror, in front of trusted friends. 

Screenshot from MasterClass

"But they might not like me or my presentation." Don't worry about what other people think. Remember this Four Agreements suggestion, "Don't take anything personally."

Lagniappe. Take instruction from YOUR coaches first. But study other video and develop new skills. Above all on defense, "keep the ball up."