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Pegine´s Motivational Times
Motivating Leaders In A Diverse World - Empowering People To Be Leaders
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February, 2008
It’s Show Time – Presentation Skills
Everyone speaks in front of a group at some point in their lives. This month I had the chance to see second graders perform in front of a large audience. Each child had a speaking part. Some were adorable, some were funny, some your heart broke for, because they were so scared and forgot their lines. Everyone in the audience was rooting for them.
Later this month I had the chance to see a major business event with many people being interviewed on camera and some presenting on stage. It was live, interesting and fun. Again I felt the same way that I did when I was watching the second graders, some of the business leaders were adorable, some were funny and some your heart broke for because they were so scared.
Before I left the event I had the chance to talk to a few people about speaking. They asked me advice to improve their speaking skills- How can I add more humor?
- How can I be more relaxed on stage?
- When I present to senior leaders I’m nervous and intimidated, how can I improve?
Many people think that because I speak for a living I don’t get nervous before a group. Let me dispel that myth. Yes, I do quite a bit of preparing before I speak. This includes researching the topic, reviewing stories from my life that may seem appropriate, designing audience participation activities that relate to the topic, writing and finally creating the outline. I practice my programs when I walk my dog and go through the program in my mind. When I get to the location I do final tweaks to the speech (sometimes tossing the whole thing out and starting again, because of something that occurred at the event). However,in spite of all this preparation, about half an hour before I speak, I go blank. Emotions go through me that include fear, nervousness, doom and gloom. It consumes me and makes my heart race.
About then is when I usually go off to a quiet room or find a space to just center myself. I close my eyes and I ask for guidance to meet the needs of the audience and for courage to be me. After that I’m fine. The day that my nervous energy goes away is the day I’ll have to step aside and put the microphone down. It comes from my desire to do the best job possible.
What does this mean to you? You get nervous because you desire to do the best job possible. Therefore, let me share some tips and kick butt actions that will enable you to be effective as a presenter. To start, here are some tips that everyone can use to improve their speaking skills.- First, you need to be prepared. Know your topic well. Research it, study it and be confident about what you know.
- Have energy, create within yourself energy and enthusiasm. I will talk about this later on.
- Relate to the audience. You can only relate to the audience if you know the audience. You relate by sharing your stories or your company’s anecdotal stories.
- Get your room logistics right. This is one of the secrets of comedians, professional speakers and actors. Know your room. In the Kick Butt section I’ll share some pointers.
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Empower people to be leaders with gusto by inviting your:- Team to sign up
- Staff to sign up
- Affinity group members to sign up
- Family members to sign up
- Community members to sign up
With you in mind,
Pegine
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By the way we NEVER, EVER give or sell your name and email address to anyone, EVER.
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In this month's leadership e-zine you will find:- Pegine's Thought of the Month
- Quote of the Month
- Try-its - Simple Steps for Magnificent Rewards
- Kick Butt Actions - Strategies to make an impact
- Have You?
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Pegine's Thought of the Month:
“When you present you aren’t speaking to a crowd. You are speaking to the person who came to hear your message.”
~Pegine Echevarria
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Quotes of the Month:
These quotes are from:
George Torok, www.speechcoachforexecutives.com and Lou Heckler, www.louheckler.com
The more we see you speak in public – the more we believe you to be a leader.
~George Torok
We judge your success by the confidence you exude.
~George Torok
The little voice in the back of your head will always find something wrong with you. But nobody else can hear that voice.
~George Torok
Offer your audience hope – that’s what they want.
~George Torok
Allow your audience to catch up. Leave air in your speech so the audience can connect with you. Be content with less material.
~Lou Heckler
What do you want your audience to “Think? Do? Or Feel?” at the end of your presentation.
~Lou Heckler
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Try-its:
Have energy!
Most amateur speakers stand off to the side and get nervous. Professional speakers and entertainers do the opposite. Before a speech professionals move around. Some do jumping jacks or stretch their muscles (as though they are preparing for a marathon). Some do vocal exercises to warm up their voice. The point is that they redirect their nervousness into positive energy.- Doing jumping jacks, dancing or swinging your arms around raises your energy level. When you are in front of the audience the audience ‘feeds’ off your energy. If you have low energy the room feels drained and tired. If you have lots of energy the audience feels exhilarated. If you have too much unfocused energy the audience leaves feeling beat up. Your job is to have focused energy. Have a plan and use the plan.
- Take the time to breathe and calm your thoughts (do this before the jumping jacks). Take the focus off of you and put the focus on the audience. Truly embrace the idea that you are hear to serve them, to teach them, to inspire them. It isn’t about you.
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Kick-butt actions:
Get your room logistics right. Too often people walk into the room where they are going to speak a few minutes before they speak. They feel uncomfortable with the podium or the set up. At this point you have to deal with it. Learn from your experience and in the future you can take control of the room. This includes communicating with the person who asked you to speak.- Be clear of your AV needs. Share how you want the room set up. If you don’t want to speak from a podium ask for a different set up.
- Know what you want and ask for it. Then follow up about a week before you speak.
- Get to the event early, before the audience ever arrives – especially if you had specific requirements. It is up to you to ensure that everything meets your needs.
- Walk the room. Walk into the audience. Sit in the seats. Get comfortable in the room. Take ownership of the room. This is your room. Be comfortable.
- As people arrive welcome them. Connect with them. I always split the room into quadrangles and make sure that I meet two groups of people in each quad. I connect with them by shaking their hands, asking them to participate with me and thanking them for being there. When I speak I know that my new friends are out there cheering me on.
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Have You Ever?- Invited a new friend to go to a comedy during the daytime?
- Showed up to an event uninvited and were happy you did?
- Shared your dream with another?
- Laughed so hard that you couldn’t move?
- Called your significant other to just say “Thanks for being in my life?”
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Who is Pegine?
Former Bronx TBG girl gang member, Pegine (Pe-geen), joined a new "gang", after being inducted into the Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame, its first Latina. Pegine's fellow 58, "gang members" include such luminaries as Dale Carnegie, Zig Ziglar and Tony Robbins. She is an expert on leading in a diverse world and empowering people to be leaders. She is described as "audacious, bold, brilliant, clever, comical, dynamic, effective, enthusiastic, fresh, humorous, knowledgeable, perceptive, relevant, talented, vivacious, vivid, and witty!”
Pegine motivates leaders in a diverse world and empowers people to be leaders with gusto. Her name is pronounced Pe-geen. Pegine speaks at conventions and trainings for corporations, associations, government agencies and the military.
To read more about Pegine’s interesting life, lessons and articles as well as laugh while enjoying Pegine in action click on www.pegine.com
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Team Pegine has received the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Certification
Team Pegine, Inc NAICS (North American Industry Classification System)Codes includes:| Description of Services | NAICS Code | | Management Development Training | 611430 | | Management Consulting Services | 541616 | | Public Speaking / Training | 611699 |
Human Resource Consulting Services | 541612 | | Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, & Similar Events without Facilities | 711320 | | Educational Support Services | 611710 |
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PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "Pegine’s Motivational Times E-zine" in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "Pegine’s Motivational Times" an e-zine for people who want to be courageous and successful leaders! Subscribe at http://www.pegine.com. Pegine motivates leaders in a diverse world and empowers people to be leaders in their lives!
All contents Copyright (c) 2007 Team Pegine Inc. except where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. Duplication or reprints only with express permission or approved credits (see above). All trademarks are the property of their respective owners
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Leadership and Diversity Expert •
Humorous Keynote Speaker •
Florida Motivational Speaker
Female Motivational Speaker •
Hispanic Inspirational Speaker •
Latina Keynote Speaker
Celebrity Speaker •
College and University Speaker • Hispanic & Youth Speaker
437 South Mill View Way
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
904-280-8806
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