Monday, 2 May 2016

Free Chapter―Professor M.S. Rao’s Book “Secrets of Successful Public Speaking: How to Become a Great Speaker”







Dear friends,

Here is the free chapter of my award-winning book, “Secrets of Successful Public Speaking: How to Become a Great Speaker.” You may share your thoughts about this book on social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 


Introduction

"Of all the talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory. He who enjoys it wields a power more durable than that of a great king. He is an independent force in the world. Abandoned by his party, betrayed by his friends, stripped of his offices, whoever can command this power is still formidable." ―Winston Churchill

Welcome to Secrets of Successful Public Speaking: How to Become a Great Speaker.  Basically, I author books on executive education, coaching, and leadership. But this book is on public speaking skills to deliver your presentations successfully without any anxiety.  As an international keynote speaker, I have been thinking to author a book on this topic for many years but I was preoccupied with other commitments that include training, research, and consultancy. In fact, speaking is different from writing. Additionally, to author a book on public speaking skills requires a lot of time and above all, passion. Since I am on a sabbatical currently, I have authored this on it to cater to educators, entrepreneurs, learners, and leaders to improve their public speaking skills.

I am mostly self-taught because I don’t have any mentor or guru. During my 38 years of diversified experience that includes military, teaching, training, research, and consultancy, I observed several speakers. Additionally, I have learned public speaking from my successes and failures and, of course, more from my failures.  Hence, I share with you my successes and failures to enable you to adopt my successful practices and learn lessons from my failures to become a great speaker and presenter.


Is Public Speaking an Art or Craft?

Most people are afraid of speaking in public places. Study shows that people are scared of two things—first on death and second on public speaking. It is basically the fear that they might make mistakes or others might make fun of them if their speeches go wrong. Hence, people hesitate to speak in public places. Of course, there are many other reasons why people are apprehensive to speak in public places. Several thinkers have doubts about whether public speaking is an art or craft. The fact is that public speaking is both an art and craft.  


Is Public Speaking a Talent or Skill?

Several people have doubts about whether public speaking is a skill or talent. It is certainly a skill, not a talent. Skills can be acquired from training, reading, observation, practice, and experience. In contrast, talent is something people are blessed with.  They acquire from their parents by birth. If people are blessed with public speaking, it is a boon. Otherwise, people can hone this skill by reading various books, observing other speakers and practicing it. Hence, public speaking is a skill. There are several internationally renowned speakers who had their reservations when they started to speak but improved and finally to become great orators.


Presentation versus Public Speaking Skills

People often use “presentation” and “public speaking” interchangeably. In fact, there is often confusion between them. Public speaking is general in nature while the presentation is specific in nature. Presentation often involves usage of slides while public speaking involves usage of spoken communication skills. Presentation involves a small audience while public speaking involves a huge audience. There is intimacy with the audiences in presentation while there is no such intimacy in public speaking.  Therefore, public speakers will have lesser interaction than the presenters. Despite these differences in presentation and public speaking, the challenges remain more or less the same for the presenters and speakers at the core level while getting their messages across to their audiences. 


Advantages of Public Speaking Skills

As a public speaker, you organize your thoughts and speak clearly, logically and analytically. You learn to focus on what is required leaving the unwanted to the trash.  You enhance your interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and spontaneity. You build your confidence and equip with competence. You become a good listener, speaker, and leader. You will be able to inspire others and make a difference.

As a public speaker, you increase your visibility in the workplace professionally. You build more connections. You develop interpersonal skills to handle various people. You can handle office bullies and difficult people. You will become more assertive. You will be able to communicate effectively with others and avert any conflicts and miscommunication. You can mentor or coach your colleagues. You can make your presence felt within your industry or sector. You get offers to deliver seminars and keynote conferences. Your market value goes up rapidly.  You can grow as a celebrity. You will be surrounded by more people. You can grow as a thought leader. To summarize, you build your credibility, enhance your visibility and build your leadership brand. You will be more marketable with ample employment opportunities. You can strengthen your CV. You can become a successful educator, entrepreneur, and leader with your public speaking skills.


Learn Leadership and Public Speaking by Practice

As you learn leadership by practice, you learn public speaking skills by practice. It requires immense passion to excel as a leader and speaker. When you look at most leaders, they are orators. They utilize public speaking skills to grow as great leaders. When you look at Winston Churchill, he played a crucial role during the Second World War. He provided a ray of hope when the entire world was beset with war clouds. He took the world out of war clouds. Hence, public speaking skill is an asset. You may be betrayed by everybody including your friends and well-wishers but the command on your public speaking will not let you down. It is more than a friend and will stand by you forever. Hence, acquire the public speaking skill to survive during tough times and thrive during your great times. 


Tools to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Here are some tools to improve your public speaking skills.  
  • Attend training programs to observe the presentation styles of various speakers. Find out what makes each speaker stand out from others. Ask questions at the end of the session to overcome your apprehensions.  
  • Maintain a journal and jot down their ideas and insights. You can read them during your free time to understand and absorb the content.
  • Observe videos of eminent speakers to find out how they inspire others. How each speaker begins her/his presentation? How each speaker connects with audience members? How each speaker responds to the question and answer session? 
  • When you observe various speakers speak, you evolve your own style of speaking.
  • Practice presenting in front of small groups until you become more comfortable and confident. Gradually go in front of huge audiences to speak.
  • Be confident about your content.
  • Take feedback from your audiences to find out your strengths and weaknesses. Consolidate your strengths and concentrate on your concerns to overcome.
  • Practice regularly.
  • Hire a public speaking coach, if possible. You can overcome your anxieties and acquire public speaking skill within a short span.

If you want to learn swimming, you must practice. If you want to learn driving, you must practice. Similarly, if you want to learn public speaking, you must practice. Therefore, everything boils down to practice. The practice is the key to excellence and perfection. Hence, learn the art and craft of public speaking to grow as a great speaker and orator.


Public Speaking is a Lucrative Career

Presentation skills are pivotal for all professionals to convey their ideas and insights and to market their products and services to their customers. These skills are required from top to bottom of a corporate ladder either to communicate within the organization or outside the organization. They are imperative in the workplace, and in social life to present your ideas, insights, and viewpoints. It helps you showcase your strengths in the presence of all members.  There are many people who have huge potential and knowledge but are scared of delivering their speeches in public places.  It is for this reason several professional courses are offered to train and groom you as presenters and speakers.  The presentation skills are an integral part of business communication as businesses must constantly communicate with their stakeholders including customers, suppliers, financial institutions, government agencies, and employees. 

Most managers and leaders are aware that public speaking is crucial to their career success. But they have innumerable apprehensions and anxieties. If they are persuaded that public speaking is like a simple speaking with only a difference of more people viewing them, listening to them and questioning them, it is easy to overcome their anxieties and apprehensions.

Some senior leaders and CEOs hire coaches to acquire public speaking skills. When you look at Mark Zuckerburg, the CEO of Facebook, he had inhibitions to speak in public places initially. Gradually he improved because he understood the significance of hiring a coach to improve his behavior. Similarly, many leaders understand the importance of acquiring public speaking skills to enhance their career prospects.

Most companies understand the importance of public speaking skills and conduct training programs regularly to enable their executives to communicate effectively with others. For instance, John Chambers Cisco CEO emphasizes public speaking and encourages their executives to ensure smooth communication within the organization. Ron Ricci, Cisco’s Vice President of Customer Experience Services explains, “The world is changing so fast that your ability to keep up as a communicator requires constant reinforcement and feedback. For John Chambers, a big part of feedback is not just how the presentation is delivered, but how the content is received. It’s a barometer of whether we’re sticking to our ‘True North’ of being a customer-centric company.”

If you want to succeed in your career, you must know how to write and speak well. They are the deciding factors in the current corporate world. Hence, acquire both writing and speaking skills to stand out from others.

Public speaking is a transferable a skill that can be applied in any industry and sector irrespective of its size. Treat learning public speaking skills as an investment, not an expense. Acquire this art and craft to fast-track your career, earn great money and build your leadership brand. You can thrive in any industry. Remember, public speaking is a lucrative career!

References
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Successful-Public-Speaking-Speaker/dp/1628656107
Amazon India: https://www.amazon.in/Secrets-Successful-Public-Speaking-Speaker/dp/1628656107
Amazon Ae: https://www.amazon.ae/Secrets-Successful-Public-Speaking-Speaker/dp/1628656107



Share if you care.



If you like this article, Like and share Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Professor-MS-Rao-451516514937414/


Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html  


Life is great!

Professor M.S. Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Global Top Gurus 30: http://globalgurus.org/upcoming-leadership-gurus/



Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2018 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S. Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

at 6 comments:

Thursday, 21 April 2016

“Dos and Don’ts on Social Media to Build Your Leadership Brand Globally” ―Professor M.S.Rao



“Social media are a catalyst for the advancement of everyone's rights. It's where we're reminded that we're all human and all equal. It's where people can find and fight for a cause, global or local, popular or specialized, even when there are hundreds of miles between them.” — Queen Rania of Jordan


People earn either quick fame or bad name due to social media. There are celebrities who intentionally exploit social media to hit limelight. There are people who kick up controversies by tweeting posts to get noticed. It is obvious that everyone wants to get noticed either for good reasons or bad reasons. Unfortunately, most people get noticed for wrong reasons which is not a healthy trend. Hence, social media is playing a crucial role either to create or destroy the image of individuals. It all depends on how people use it.  

Research shows that most senior leaders don’t have social media presence. It adversely affects their leadership brand. In the world of social media, the slogan is ‘be visible or vanish!’  When you look at leaders like Richard Branson and Jack Welch, they have a huge social media presence. When you look at film stars, they have a huge social media presence because they thrive on their brand image.  Therefore, senior leaders and CEOs must have their social media presence to make their presence felt that helps them build their leadership brands globally.

On April 18, an eminent Indian website interviewed me on social media. Here are their questions with my answers on this amazing online platform:

Q: What is social media quotient according to you?
A: Social media quotient is the ability to share your knowledge and impact with others. It is your visibility and credibility on social media platforms. I opened a blog in 2007 titled, ‘Where Knowledge is Wealth’ URL: http://profmsr.blogspot.com and started sharing my knowledge. As a leadership professor, I realized the importance of social media in sharing knowledge with others more than a decade ago. Currently I have four blogs to cater to four kinds of audiences apart from LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/professor-rao/34/11a/b52,  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-MSRao/451516514937414  Twitter: http://twitter.com/professormsrao Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+ProfessorMSRao   YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/profmsr7 and Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Rao/e/B00MB63BKM. Being strong in social media quotient helps you reach your messages to the right audiences instantly. Similarly, companies reach their customers and clients successfully with this powerful platform. Succinctly, social media quotient is a powerful tool that helps you hit the bulls’ eye.

Q: How to use social media well?
A: Social media is a double edged sword. It can be used for either for good or bad. We must use it constructively to share our knowledge to make a difference to the world. Instead of adding value to ourselves, we must add value to others. We must create more knowledge and disseminate it for the benefit of mankind.

Q: What are three must and three no-nos for social media usage?
A: Don’t overuse it. Instead, use it judiciously. Don’t think of boasting yourself. Instead, think of adding value to others. Take issues that are burning and unaddressed by others. Address them. Encourage dialogue and discussion. Tolerate dissent and respect others’ ideas. Don’t attack others unfairly and unprofessionally. Be professional in your approach and attitude. Don’t overstretch. Don’t make false commitments. Don’t post plagiarized content. Don’t present fake information. Don’t post the stale content. Don’t post the same content repeatedly. Appreciate the knowledge shared by others and share their knowledge for the benefit of others. Don’t be in a hurry to network with eminent people. Above all, work for satisfaction, not for recognition.

Q: Can you explain the impact, if any, that social media quotient has made on you personally?
A: I have utilized social media effectively to build my brand as an International Leadership Guru. I get offers globally to keynote their conferences and provide leadership development training programs to corporates. My books are sold online. It is all possible because I share a lot of knowledge free of charge with the world through my four blogs http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in, http://profmsr.blogspot.com,  http://professormsrao.blogspot.com, and http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com.

Q: What are some mistakes you regularly see leaders make on social media?
A: Some of the leaders post stale content that brings down their image. The readers lose interest and perceive such leaders wrongly. Remember, first impression is the best impression. Hence, leaders must start with a good impression by posting quality content in their area of interest to arouse interest in readers.  Additionally, they must do intensive research and post unique content that was not covered by others.

Q: How do you encourage creative thinking through social media?
A: When you read quality content on social media in your area of interest, you get more ideas and insights. You will find the gaps in the present area and explore to close them resulting in creation of more knowledge.

Q: Do you set aside specific times to cast vision to your followers through social media?
A: I have crafted Vision 2030: One Million Global Leaders URL:  http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html. My vision program was ranked as one of the Top 10 Finalists in the ‘Not For Profit’ category of Leadership 500 Excellence Awards 2015.   My vision is to build one millions students as global leaders by 2030. It is a nonprofit initiative. I have trained more than 30,000 students as global leaders so far. I opened a blog on it and share my knowledge regularly http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  I regularly invest some time to post articles on students to groom them as leaders. Whenever I get opportunities from colleges to provide free training programs for students, I deliver it free of charge.  

Q: What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
A: A good leader builds more leaders, not followers. I am building more leaders to make a difference to the world.  I do it through blogging, teaching and training programs.


Social Media is not a Sprint

Don’t consider social media as a sprint. It is a marathon. To be in the race in the long run, you must be a domain expert. Carve a niche for yourself. Over a period of time, you will have a specific set of readers and followers ready to read your online content. You must be patient and persistent to create your customers, clients and followers. Connect with your followers and respond their comments as far as possible. Cater some time to connect with your followers. In this way, you can also take their feedback to improve your content and build your brand gradually.


Conclusion

Social media is a powerful platform that builds your customers, clients, followers and fans globally. You must know how to use this amazing platform productively to reach your clients and build your global leadership brand. To summarize, although social media builds your brand with your consistent sharing of knowledge, you must consider building your leadership brand as a byproduct. You must keep your vision and mission in view to make your presence felt globally. To conclude, social media is a powerful platform to build your credibility and visibility. Hence, use it effectively to influence, impact and inspire others.


“We all have personal brands and most of us have already left a digital footprint, whether we like it or not. Proper social media use highlights your strengths that may not shine through in an interview or application and gives the world a broader view of who you are. Use it wisely.” — Amy Jo Martin


If you like this article, Like and share Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-MSRao/451516514937414


Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html 


Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Recipient of 10th International Prestigious Sardar Patel Award―2015
Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com
Blog: http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com
Global Top Gurus 30: http://www.globalgurus.org/leadership/upcoming.php




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2016 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.
at 1 comment:

“Industry Expectations from Engineering Students in an Employment Interview” ―Professor M.S.Rao



“You can give lifetime employability by training people, by making them adaptable, making them mobile to go other places to do other things. But you can’t guarantee lifetime employment.” ― Jack Welch


I attended a workshop on Technical and Research Conference recently. Since I am on sabbatical to author a book on public speaking, I thought it was an opportunity to see different presentations to justify my book. One of the speakers spoke on next generation of engineers and what the industry expects from them. I paid more attention since I am passionate about shaping one million students as global leaders by 2030. http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in  

Fundamentally, industry expects various aspects from engineering students. They must be passionate about engineering. They must have basic domain knowledge and expertise on few software tools. They must have the desire to learn and grow. They must have an inventive aptitude. They must have strong communicational skills. Finally, they must fit in with the culture of the company.  However, the engineering students don’t have the basic knowledge presently. Additionally, they have attitudinal issues. They are not passionate about engineering. They don’t have the basic knowledge to offer solutions for the technical problems. Therefore, Indian engineering institutions must strive to address these issues and prepare students as per the expectations of the industry to make them employable and deployable in the corporate world. There is no meaning in dumping engineering graduates into the market without adequate mindset, toolset and skill sets.


Emphasize Employability, not Employment

Someone aptly put the actual definition of employability as follows: Employability is a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy.  Hence, Indian engineering educational institutions must emphasize on employability rather than employment because being employed is to be insecure while being employable is to be secure. Remember, employability is end product while employability is byproduct.

All stakeholders including educational institutions, industry, educators, students, parents, and nonprofits must work collaboratively to shell out engineering graduates with employability skills and abilities to add value to the society.


“According to National Council on Skill Development, Govt of India (NSDC) skill gap studies, nearly 170 million additional skilled people are required in 23 key sectors in India by 2022.”  ― Dr S. Ramadorai



If you like this article, Like and share Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-MSRao/451516514937414


Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html 


Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Recipient of 10th International Prestigious Sardar Patel Award―2015
Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com
Blog: http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com
Global Top Gurus 30: http://www.globalgurus.org/leadership/upcoming.php




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2016 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.
at No comments:

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Professor M. S. Rao’s Vision 2030: One Million Global Leaders : Free Sample Chapter - “21 Success Sutras for CEOs:...

Professor M. S. Rao’s Vision 2030: One Million Global Leaders : Free Sample Chapter - “21 Success Sutras for CEOs:...: Dear friends, Here is the free sample chapter of my upcoming book “21 Success Sutras for CEOs: How Global CEOs...
at 1 comment:
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