Dr. Barbara Tannenbaum is a professor at Brown University where she teaches courses in public speaking and persuasive communication. I had the pleasure of seeing Barbara Tannenbaum speak at the Embassy Row Hotel last month to a group of 20 and 30something year old professionals. Her discussion promised to transform everyone’s ability to communicate by creating persuasive and captivating messages that will ensure success. I left the discussion feeling highly motivated, as if all the tools I need for effective communication were handed over to me — geared for any audience!
Dr. Tannenbaum was an incredibly captivating speaker, who touched upon many points of communication. I was very inspired by all that I heard, and knew I had to share this wealth of knowledge with you, dear readers!
To begin with, Barbara asked us to introduce ourselves to someone sitting close by, someone that we did not know. Then we were asked to give a critique on the introduction we just received from this stranger. Next, we were asked what the eye-color was of the person we just spoke to. Amazingly, many people couldn’t answer this question. And then their names … even fewer people were able to answer this question. I’m horrible at names. I will more than likely completely forget a persons name within 60 seconds upon meeting them. A trick Barbara shared with us:
If you want to remember someone’s name you need to repeat it back to them multiple times upon your first interaction with them. “Tell me, Allison, where were you able to find those great shoes, Allison?”
It was then explained that we cannot not communicate. All forms of communication are a form of public speaking, even if you have an audience of only one person. We all have bad habits when we communicate: saying ‘like’ or ‘umm’ too many times, rising inflections at the end of statements (I’m constantly guilty of this!), not speaking loudly enough, or fidgeting with our jewelry. It is imperative that we catch ourselves in the act, and eventually break the habit.
You must rid yourself of bad speaking behavior! Have a friend monitor you and interrupt you each time the behavior you are trying to shoo away emerges. We need to catch it! It’ll be annoying, yes, but this is how you will learn.
Barbara continued on to discuss speaking in front of a group of people, and how to effectively drive across your end goal. You need to know that a presentation is a conversation, not a performance. Before jumping in, you must establish your credibility early on in the conversation. You must always consider your end goal before delivering. And the best way to get there? KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Properly curate your thoughts and words to appeal to your audience by tailoring what you’re saying to their values and beliefs.
Nothing creates more distance between you and your audience than separation language, so ensure that you speak in a ‘We Team’ mentality.
Always consider the WIFM. WIFM stands for “What’s In It For Me” and means that you have to consider how your audience will benefit from what you’re trying telling them or get them to do. You can’t change your audience, but you can change your approach, so make sure to properly do so!
Lastly, Barbara spoke about her affiliation with Amy Cuddy (a body language guru), and the work these two women have done on this topic. Barbara touched upon body language, and how it shapes your confidence. She asked us to take up space when talking to others. It will display just the right type of assertiveness…
Does anyone else have any tips on communication that we can add to this incredible talk?