The Requisite Skill and Ability of Realtime Presentations

The Requisite Skill and Ability of Real-time Presentations: Using the Physics of Language to Advantage in Organizational Contexts Wayne Smith, Ph. D. Department of Management CSU Northridge 1

Notes to COBAE Students • My observation is that most COBAE students are good public speakers • However, team members can use this Power. Point in two (similar) ways: – to help turn good skills into great skills • By means of individual practice and self-improvement – to help the one or two members of the team with weaker skills and abilities improve • By way of a structure to provide constructive feedback • This PPT complements the existing (and detailed) oral presentation scoring guide for Gateway 2

Aspects of Presentation Skills • VOICE – Breathing, Centering, Projection • BODY – Relaxation, Physical tension, Eye-contact, Nonverbal communication • EXPRESSION – Concentration, Focus, Point-of-view, Pacing 3

Successful Characteristics • VOICE – Vocal projection is strong; posture supports breath; feet are grounded and body centered, allowing deep breathing to power voice; volume is sufficiently amplified and sustained at consistent level; articulation is clear; speaker is easily heard and understood • BODY – Speaker is physically calm and appears relaxed; speaker makes direct eye contact; physical presence projects animation and energy; gestures and non-verbal communication enhance narrative • PROJECTION – Concentration is sustained throughout; the speaker is focused and clear about what she or he wants to say; there is a point-ofview and speaker appears to have emotional/intellectual connection to her or his narrative 4

Higher-order Abilities (1/2) • Delivery/Oral – How strong are the oral components of the presentation? – Speaker is fluent and poised; uses language comfortably and appropriately; speaks at an effective rate and volume; few fillers • Delivery/Non-verbal – How strong are the non-verbal components of the presentation? – Speaker uses gestures comfortably in line with his/her own style; eye contact is appropriate for audience; use of space appropriate for the situation 5

Higher-order Abilities (2/2) • Visual Aids – Do the visual aids reinforce the message and add to the effectiveness of the presentation? – Appropriate visual aids are used; visual aids serve as a complement to the speaker and the message to be delivered; designed effectively; speaker uses visual aid easily • Questions and Answers – Has the speaker handled the Q&A portion of the presentation competently? – Speaker answers questions knowledgeably, thoroughly, and concisely; process is handled smoothly 6

Politeness • Power Relationships and Social Distance – honorifics • Levels of Impoliteness • Face-Threatening Acts (FTAs) • Tact • Speaker Variables – Sex, Age, Education, Experience, Culture, etc. • The “Sensitive Line” 7

Some non-verbal principles Term Definition Adaptors Help us feel comfortable or indicate emotions or moods Affect Displays Express emotions or feelings Complementing Reinforcing verbal communication Contradicting verbal communication Emblems Nonverbal gestures that carry a specific meaning, and can replace or reinforce words Illustrators Reinforce a verbal message Masking Substituting more appropriate displays for less appropriate displays Object-Adaptors Using an object for a purpose other than its intended design Regulators Control, encourage or discourage interaction Repeating verbal communication Replacing verbal communication Self-Adaptors Adapting something about yourself in a way for which it was not designed or for no apparent purpose 8

But I don’t actually think it works this way… (see Speech-Act Theory) 9

Sources (excerpted) • Management Communication for Undergraduates (Spring, 2005) – M. I. T. Open. Course. Ware – http: //ocw. mit. edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15 -279 management-communication-for-undergraduates-spring-2005/ • Oral Evaluation Rubric – http: //ocw. mit. edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15 -279 management-communication-for-undergraduates-spring-2005/studymaterials/oralpresrubrics. pdf • Mc. Lean, S. (2010), Business Communication for Success. Fully online and accessible at [http: //www. flatworldknowledge. com] • Video Oral Communication Assessment Tool – Bernard Schwartz Communication Institute, Baruch College (The City University of New York) – http: //www. baruch. cuny. edu/vocat/ 10