Assignment #1: Find a clip of a speaker in action that you admire. Blog in a post to the traits or reasons that you admire a certain speaker. You should copy the link to a short clip that illustrates the examples that you are posting about in this blog. This blog is due by the start of class on Tuesday, February 1.
You can use hulu, TED talks, youtube or another site to locate your video example. This short clip will be used in class as you discuss your admiration of their communication skills. Clips should be cued in class. Let's keep them 1 minute or less when presenting in class.
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There are many people in this world that can express their ideas eloquently and with charisma that makes people want to listen and respond to them. However, a person must also be relatable and make an audience want to engage to hear what they have to say. A person who I feel does this extremely well is Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen often does monologue speeches in the beginning of her talk show, but she also does motivational speeches. She spoke at Tulane University’s commencement in 2009 and I really enjoyed her speech. She begins with a few jokes to engage the audience. She pokes fun at the audience but also at herself. This draws the audience in and makes them feel like she is relatable. I especially enjoyed how she mentioned that although she did not graduate from Tulane University, she is from New Orleans. It makes the audience feel like she understands them and they have common ground, especially in light of Hurricane Katrina.
Following her opening jokes, Ellen talks about her life. She speaks about growing up, her rise to fame, and her consequential loss of fame after she came out as gay. She reveals the lessons she has learned and how being true to herself always got her through tougher times. She ends with a few more jokes and keeps her time under ten minutes. Overall, I find Ellen speaks so that she is and one can tell that she speaks from the heart. She engaged me and made me want to listen to her. She is a genuine person and anyone can tell that by watching her speak. This along with her undeniable humor makes her a speaker that I admire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keXIwlIoMPQ&feature=autoplay&list=PLB4F33C2954AC190C&index=34&playnext=2 at the 7:20 mark.
One of the greatest public speakers of all time is former president of the United States, Bill Clinton. Politicians are no strangers to controversy and Bill Clinton has proven to have a gift for communication in the way that he kept his composure through countless interviews and speeches. His style of speaking comes off casual and real which creates the connection between him and his audience. There is so much variety in his audience – from age to race to political stance – that makes it crucial to find a level to which everybody can relate. He speaks casually, but at the same time he does not stutter or use fill in words. Clinton is extremely charismatic and exhumes confidence when he speaks. Not only are his words straightforward, but he speaks clearly and articulates. He also has shown a sense of humour that appeals to even those who are not necessarily in favour of his political stance or his actions.
Ultimately the reason that I chose Bill Clinton as my most admired speaker is that he does not let his emotions dictate the delivery of his speech. In 1993 Clinton was invited to speak at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Accepting this invitation and actually following through with it was very brave on his part because most people in the audience were extremely against him. When he first came up to the podium he blatantly ignored the obvious negative feedback from his audience. He assessed the situation and tackled it head on by acknowledging the audience who was not in favor of him. By the end of the speech all of the booing subsided. He had won his audience over. Having the ability to sway a large group of people who are against you within minutes is the work of a truly talented leader.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr-_Oi_qHYI
In our lives, people speak every day. Our lives are comprised of endless words being exchanged, and some speakers fall into the white noise. It takes true talent to shock people, to harness their attention, make them take notice, and pick you out to listen to, rather than the countless other people they could be listening to. The speaker I chose is John Cleese, and I chose to post his eulogy for his friend, Graham Chapman. While speaking there, he brought a room of people mourning a loss to peals of laughter.
I find that his timing is perfect. He cracks the joke at the exact right time, speaks slowly and clearly, and chooses his words carefully, which are all important qualities to have when preparing and delivering a speech. He sprinkles humor throughout the speech, which keeps people engaged; furthermore, he surprises people by inserting shocking remarks, which leaves the listener at the edge of their seats. However, he does not show malice in his comments, but delivers them with clear affection for whom he is speaking. Through a combination of all these wonderful traits, his speaking has made a sad situation a little bit easier for all affected.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkxCHybM6Ek&feature=related
(:29)
Kurt Vonnegut is one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, which automatically makes most think he’s one of those ‘recluse, awkward types’ (writers always get a bad rep). But during his speech ‘How To Get a Job Like Mine’, Vonnegut proves that he is not only a great writer, but also a great speaker. He is very comfortable in front of crowds, and uses his unpredictable (and still unmatched) humor to get his points across. He even mentions learning some of this in a public speaking class, although he jokes about what he actually learned. He engages the audience with his likeable personality and his humor. “If you really want to hurt your parents, and you don't have the nerve to be a homosexual, go into the arts.” I’ll always admire and aspire to his way with words, and seeing him say them is very inspirational to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbOFYWbVVz8
John F. Kennedy will always be remembered as an honorable president. Many also see him as a strong public speaker. Kennedy has consistently been able to connect with his audience on a personal level. In a clip of his “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You” speech, Kennedy addresses the audience as his “fellow Americans” and uses the word “you” to give the impression that he is directly talking to each person individually. Kennedy is always looking directly at his audience when he is delivering part of the speech and stops when he looks down. His voice is clear and fluctuates throughout his speech so he never sounds boring. While giving his speech, Kennedy pauses to emphasize his statements like “ask not, what your country can do for you. Ask what you, can do for your country.” During that line he adds strong hand gestures by pointing at the audience every time he says the word “you.” Overall, his speech was inspiring for his audience and the content connected with all of his listeners. John F. Kennedy is viewed as a strong and confident public speaker, which is reflected in the positive feedback his audience gave with the applause after every important comment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB6hLg3PRbY
3:34-4:11
I think one of the most important aspects of a great public speaker is the ability to display passion for the topic that is being discussed. As such, I have selected Adam Sessler as my admired public speaker. In this clip he is giving a presentation at the Game Developer's Conference, focusing on the use of aggregate review sites, specifically metacritic, as a misleading determiner of quality. In his presentation he speaks candidly and with conviction, displaying a belief in what he is speaking about and conveying the emotions and frustration he felt at the time of the presentation.
What makes him an effective public speaker in my opinion is the way he brings an unmistakable energy to the podium when he speaks. By using fluctuations in the volume of his voice. Audibly he does not have the most appealing speaking voice, so by using these fluctuations he is able to keep the audience's attention and compensate for what may be construed as a weakness. He also makes use of changing his voice to integrate humor in his presentation.
He is able to connect with his audience in many ways because he is talking to many like minded individuals, but the room is likely filled with many of the developers that he is talking about as well, so I partially admire his determination to not simply preach to a choir, but to present the room with his honest opinion and perspective, hitting on his points with compelling efficiency. Additionally, the presentation comes across as natural, like the discussion manner of speaking that we talked about in class. Adam Sessler is well spoken, compelling, and an incredibly refreshing speaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QsXrswJ-yM
(3:22-4:10)
Everyday there is a speech given to someone, somewhere in the world. In order for that speech to be effective, the speaker needs to enthusiastic, know their audience, have vocal variety along with many other characteristics. Randy Pausch has all of those characteristics and implemented them soundly in his lecture called the Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. He also performed this lecture under great distress, as he only had a year left to live because the terminal state of his pancreatic cancer. He knew this fact when he wrote his lecture, so it gave him the enthusiasm and excitement to tell his story, which he portrayed in his lecture.
Randy’s charisma, competence and character made his speech extremely moving. He used many jokes to make his lecture funny and enjoyable. This was a great attention getter and made the lecture very entertaining. Also, the audience listened to Randy’s speech because it helped teach them success. He also used a PowerPoint to aid his lecture, which helped make it more visually appealing and easier to follow. Overall, Randy’s lecture to me is extremely appealing and he truly believes what he is speaking about. He is definitely a person I admire because he took the time to make a moving lecture to tell his story in the last year of his life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
Start at (:25)
Everyday there is a speech given to someone, somewhere in the world. In order for that speech to be effective, the speaker needs to enthusiastic, know their audience, have vocal variety along with many other characteristics. Randy Pausch has all of those characteristics and implemented them soundly in his lecture called the Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. He also performed this lecture under great distress, as he only had a year left to live because the terminal state of his pancreatic cancer. He knew this fact when he wrote his lecture, so it gave him the enthusiasm and excitement to tell his story, which he portrayed in his lecture.
Randy’s charisma, competence and character made his speech extremely moving. He used many jokes to make his lecture funny and enjoyable. This was a great attention getter and made the lecture very entertaining. Also, the audience listened to Randy’s speech because it helped teach them success. He also used a PowerPoint to aid his lecture, which helped make it more visually appealing and easier to follow. Overall, Randy’s lecture to me is extremely appealing and he truly believes what he is speaking about. He is definitely a person I admire because he took the time to make a moving lecture to tell his story in the last year of his life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
Start at (:25)
Comedians are public speakers whose general purpose is to entertain an audience, usually by evoking laughter. A present day comedian who achieves this goal is Jerry Seinfeld. The following clip shows him performing one of his jokes that appeared on the TV sitcom, Seinfeld. A viewer notices that Seinfeld effectively uses and interprets nonverbal messages (communication principle three), uses valuable supporting material, and is aware of his audience, which helps to relay his intended message.
One of the first things a viewer may notice is Seinfeld’s energy; he knows how to work the stage. He was constantly walking around and acting out scenes, which kept the audience’s attention. When he did stand still, he scanned the audience from right to left to enhance eye contact with all members of the audience. In addition to using nonverbal communication, Seinfeld correctly interpreted his audience’s nonverbal communication. Specifically, he was able to notice that the audience was enjoying his joke, and after a dramatic pause, took it one step further with adding that “giving the toe” would be more effective. Verbally, Seinfeld has a pleasant, clear, and soothing tone of voice and makes efficient use of fluctuations.
Secondly, Seinfeld uses supporting material such as an illustration. He told the story of a woman who showed him this rude gesture, and continued on with his joke. This technique also establishes common ground with his audience; Seinfeld knew that most people in this world have witnessed or have given the offensive gesture, and would be able to relate well to a joke regarding that topic. He was able to create a vivid scene in the audience’s mind, even during the times when he was holding the microphone in one hand.
Additionally, Seinfeld is aware of his audience. He performed in some type of restaurant or comedy club, where the audience’s dress was casual. He therefore dressed casually to favorably appeal to the audience in their current environment. His posture was casual during portions of the performance as well; at one point his free hand rested in his pocket.
Because of Seinfeld’s ability to employ and interpret nonverbal signals, use supporting material, and be aware of his current audience, he may be regarded as a successful, charismatic, and admirable public speaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeGlj6q7o_E
When we were told to blog about someone who we admire as a great public speaker, I immediately thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. As grammar school students, and through high school, every year we are taught about the great Dr. King. It is not really until we are old enough to appreciate how greatly he impacted our country, though, that we can really truly appreciate him. It is mainly through his effective public speaking that he was able to do this. When I searched for his “I Have a Dream” speech on YouTube, there were countless results, which shows how highly valued his words are.
The speech that I am choosing to show to the class is the last speech he gave. I most admire his ability to command the attention of his audience while he is speaking. He raises his voice slightly, in order to grab everyone’s attention as he makes his most important points. He stands straight, does not shake and move around, and simply speaks about what he believes in. I also noticed that he makes very good eye contact. He looks into the eyes of his guests. His strongest abilities are my greatest flaws when it comes to public speaking. I have a hard time grabbing the attention of the audience and looking into their eyes as I speak. My goal is to use Dr. King as my guide while I work to improve my public speaking skills.
One final statement about Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech is his influential use of knowledge. His knowledge of historical U.S. documents is used effectively to help him make a point about the point of his speech: there should be equality among all Americans. I am impressed by his ability to quote some of our country’s oldest and greatest documents, and then use them purposefully in his speeches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1L8y-MX3pg&feature=related
In the void that occurred in paid infomercials after the untimely death of Billy Mays, it would seem that the era of the pitchman died with him. And although the speaker I have chosen, Vince Offer, has both an incredibly different advertising style and delivery, I would argue he may be a good replacement for Mays. Offer’s lightning speed, but eloquently delivered voice, hyper-kinetic body language, and dynamic use of hang gestures makes the products he sells memorable. The clip I have provided, the long version of the Slap Chop infomercial, highlights Offer’s style. A quick introduction without credentials, yet his actions show he knows his product and he knows it well. Within seconds, he is using the product on a potato, and with each slap, recommends as to what the potato slices can be used for. This is effective because he knows that his audience is going to buy the product for cooking preparations, so he is showing off the versatility of the product. While certainly, at times, Offer is promising more than what the product can actually give (“Stop having a boring tuna, stop having a boring life.”), his mottos stick with the viewer, and may influence them to buy the product based upon his antics rather than the need for the product itself. And while, in a public speaking sense, this can be construed as not achieving the goal of the speech, I would argue that, in the case of advertising and pitchmen, the goal is to sell products. While I do not have the empirical data, Slap Chops are a successful product, in large part due to Vince Offer’s speaking style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUbWjIKxrrs
0 to 54 seconds
To understand where this speaker's words are coming from, you must first understand a little bit about who he is. The speaker I chose for this assignment is a man named Randy Pausch. Randy was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University until he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given three to six months to live. He then co-authored a book called "The last Lecture" and began giving speeches on how to live life with no regrets.
In this particular speech, featured on Oprah, Randy is talking about how to live out your childhood dreams. The small, thirty second clip of the speech I chose does not fully showcase his ability to inspire but does provide some insight on Randy’s way with words. He starts this clip with a simplistic yet effective Winnie the Pooh reference, telling the audience that they need to decide if they are a "Tigger" or an "Eeyore" early on in life. This means that you can live a life with a positive attitude and lots of energy, like Tigger, or you can decide to complain and be negative about everything, like Eeyore. Such easily understood comparisons, supplemented by a slideshow presentation, allow Pausch to capture his audience’s attention and keep it throughout the entirety of his speech.
While his comparisons keep the audience engaged, Pausch’s biggest strength lies in the sincerity and meaning of his words. On life’s last legs, Pausch provides a rare perspective for audience members, showing them that life is too short to abandon one’s dreams. This is content that everyone can take with them and benefit from for the rest of their lives. You can tell from the second he says "I am dying, and I am choosing to have fun" how serious Pausch is about his message. I think Randy's speech is not only heartfelt but it really shows students how to engage an audience when giving a speech.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BODHsU3hDo4
(Start at 7:05...end at 7:30)
Everyone likes to talk about their once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. A friend of mine once had the chance to play with The Ataris on stage at one of their concerts. One of my own such moments was when, several years ago, I showed up at Pier 92 in New York City and talked my way aboard the Queen Mary 2—not because I was a paying passenger, but because I wanted a tour. Very few people, however, are given the opportunity given to Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor.
Dr. Taylor is a brian scientist who fell in love with the field after growing up with her schizophrenic brother. In the mid 1990s, this brain scientist was given the rare opportunity to study her own mind. Her blessing in disguise arrived in the form of a stroke caused by a hemorrhage on the left side of her brain—an experience that has changed her world view.
Dr. Taylor begins her presentation with the backstory—why she chose neuroscience. She uses devices like humor and her hand gestures to get the audience's attention, and her narrative uses cues that invoke other sensory experiences common to all the members of her audience (i.e. ice cream). Most importantly, Dr. Taylor appears genuinely invested in changing the lives of her audience—she envisions the world as having so much room for growth, and that we could all be in a much better place if we could "step to the right of our left hemispheres."
And she is a speaker who I thought is worth sharing. View from 10:02-11:10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU
My most admired speaker is CNN journalist, Anderson Cooper. While one is satisfied by the information given by most anchors, Anderson Cooper seems to set the bar and exceed all others. What really intrigues me about his communication skills is his natural humor that never seems contrived or to go too far. He understands when it is appropriate to add a punch line and when it is necessary to slap the public with the truth. At the same time, his professionalism and knack for telling it like it is most evident when things in the world go horribly wrong. In crises such as Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti, Cooper was one of the first anchors to the scene and continued to report the news when others run for higher ground.
As his news reporting is admirable, what I really appreciate about Anderson is work as a reporting chameleon. He is a jack of all trades who has hosted daytime (Regis and Kelly), Primetime (The Mole), nighttime news (360°), and late night (New Years Eve). In each program, Cooper is aware of audience and effortlessly talks with the audience rather than speaking down to them.
A prime example of this work can be found within Anderson Cooper’s commencement speech at the Tulane University this past year. Anderson easily relates to the audience by sympathizing with both parents and students and by mentioning local current events. He then proceeds to open up about himself and gives the crowd some insight into his own past in the area. Finally he concludes by sharing his admiration, additions, and suggestions for the graduates as they transition into the real world. In all, the natural humor, professionalism, flexibility, and charm that Anderson Cooper posses create a sense of charisma, credibility and achieved understanding as he communicates with the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DrFax_GNPs
There is a man who has taken his football team to new heights in the two years he has held his leadership role. He has taken his team to the AFC Championship Game two years in a row and although unsuccessful at those games, he keeps himself strong and motivated for his team. Rex Ryan speaks his mind and never holds back anything that is important to him. He has a certain personality to him that whenever he publicly speaks, whether it is to the public or to his team, he knows exactly what he wants to say and makes sure to get his point across to his audience.
He uses contagious speaking methods in order to engage his audience. His voice is consistently projected and his personality is shown through his speaking. He is very enthusiastic and passionate about his work and takes into account his audience’s frame of reference when speaking to his given audiences. Rex Ryan gave a speech at the opening of the Jets training camp last summer, which showed me how motivational and inspirational he is as a leader. He was audience centered, used great eye contact, and directly related his speech to who he was preaching to. He knows himself, he knows his audience, and he knows his stuff. He brings motivation to his team when they need it the most and has been proven successful with his methods.
He is my admired speaker, not only because he is the head coach of my favorite NFL team, but also he is an affective speaker. His team sat there and listened to his speech with open ears and based on their faces you could tell they believed what he was saying. They believed what he was saying because he believed in what he was selling. He controlled his audience with his emotions, voice, personality, and content. He moved through his audience and remained with eye contact and affectively used attention getters. With all of these skills combined are the reasons why I chose Rex Ryan, the head coach of the New York Jets as my admired speaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_aqypLU9F0&playnext=1&list=PL38B6A53CE1BE5862
From 0:19-1:03
Oprah Winfrey won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1998 Daytime Emmy’s but did not let that award dictate the end of her achievements. Her television show which is now in it’s 25th and final season was barely half way through it’s course. There were still so many lives to change and Oprah still had so much generosity to give. She is admirable not only for her amazing generosity to give what she has been blessed with but to also make a difference through her words and actions.
In 2005 she was inducted into the NAACP Images Awards Hall of Fame. The Images Awards Chairperson Clayola Brown said it best, “Oprah Winfrey is an extraordinary women whose work has inspired and motivated people of all races and cultures.” Oprah reinforced that thought in her acceptance speech when she referenced a famous Maya Angelou quote saying “I come as one but I stand as 10,000 to the 10th power.”
I have chosen this particular speech because Oprah excellently exemplifies an accomplished speaker. Her words are only supported and enforced through her delivery and though there are hundreds of people in the room she commands their attention and holds their interest throughout. Oprah speaks with purpose and control, she owns her speech and she knows her audience. Her use of eye contact, brief pauses, and the fluctuating speed with which she speaks are quality that are very important for any speaker who wishes to hold their audiences attention. I was inspired and enjoyed her speech just as much as members of her initial audience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqJ7hmYhBMg&feature=related
The speaker that I admire the most is comedian Stephen Colbert. While he does host his own show, “The Colbert Report,” his oratory skills in front of a large crowd and not in the comforts of a television studio are desirable because he is enigmatic and engaging. The clip that I chose to show is from a speech that Colbert presented in Columbus, South Carolina, in 2007 after the mayor declared October 28th “Stephen Colbert Day” and named Colbert “South Carolina’s Favorite Son.”
First of all, Colbert definitely considered his audience before he planned what he was going to say. Since he is speaking in front of residents of South Carolina, he knows that making small jabs at neighboring state Georgia will illicit a rousing response because he is relating to them. After that, he feeds off of the audience’s high energy by increasing his own energy and volume. The best public speakers know how to keep their audience’s attention, and Colbert’s quirky sense of humor and unexpected topics of discussion keep the audience devoted to hearing his every word. His enthusiasm is infectious because he is able to create a frenzy over the most mundane topic: in this case, South Carolina peaches. Using such descriptive words as “delicious,” “juicey-ful,” and “unparalleled fuzziness,” his diction makes me want a South Carolina peach.
Even though Colbert does not always maintain constant eye contact with his audience, his delivery is definitely enviable. He pauses at the correct times and understands the intelligence of his audience by referencing everyday knowledge (Idaho potatoes, Iowa corn, etc.). He comes across as sincere, and I feel as though I could walk right up to him after this speech and have a nice conversation with him because of how comfortable and welcoming he is at the podium.
The clip starts at 2:42 and ends at 3:33.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6rPP6B1iGM
As a politician an individual is instantly thrown in to the spotlight and expected to perform in front of thousands of viewers on a daily basis. One of the biggest moments in our nations history occurred on September 11, 2001. In wake of the 9/11 tragedy, New York City mayor and eventual Presidential candidate Rudi Guiliani was thrust into this spotlight. This is where many Americans saw him not as just a great leader but also as a motivational speaker. What stands out the most in Mr. Guiliani's voice is the tone in which he carries himself. He was able to convey a sense of calmness even when one of the most detrimental days in history was the subject of his speech. In the video he uses log pauses and a calm tone to emphasize points to the United Nations General Assembly, such as the toll this terroristic act took on his city. Interestingly enough Mr. Guiliani has a lateral lisp which is evident when he speaks. This however does not effect many of the message he conveys because of the excellent emphasis he uses on other events. Overall it is the confidence that sets this man apart from man other public and motivational speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L32pOTPRqVY
The individual I chose as my admired speaker is former president Ronald Reagan. A former actor, Reagan was already a well-versed, experienced, and charismatic public speaker long before his presidential campaign. Throughout his presidency he demonstrated the ability to speak, not only with great eloquence, but also with passion and even humor at times. However, this in and of itself does not set him apart from other U.S. presidents, many of which were also polished public speakers who could effectively communicate with their audiences.
What I admire most about President Reagan when he speaks, and what I believe really sets him apart, is the complete and total confidence he exudes while up at the podium. The clip I have chosen is a short excerpt from his famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech, delivered at the Brandenburg Gate in June 1987. This speech was given during a time of heightened tension between East and West Germany. President Reagan, in making this speech, is appealing directly to the General Secretary of the Communist Party to tear down the Berlin Wall in an effort to bring peace to the country and the people.
Many feared that this speech and Reagan’s strong choice of words might exacerbate the situation in Germany. However, Reagan knew his audience and knew that the people of West Berlin were opposed to the wall and wanted to see it go down. Therefore, against the advice of aides and staffers, he delivered the address exactly as he wanted.
Additionally, he made the speech behind two panes of bulletproof glass, intended to protect him from potential East German snipers; but what I find most admirable about President Reagan is how difficult it is to tell that any of that is even occurring. He speaks without hesitation and which such confidence in his entire demeanor that one would not expect him to be standing in front of the entire world, placing his life at risk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PSq2dy754&feature=related
I could rattle off a number of speakers I admire, but only one has truly left a mark on my life. Joe Urbanski, the executive director of seminar design and delivery for Colligate Empowerment, is one of the best public speakers I have ever encountered. Joe Urbanski is a TCNJ alumnus who graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing. Since, he has travelled around the country empowering students with brilliantly and carefully designed speeches that are among other things, motivating, encouraging and inspiring. I personally first connected with Joe Urbanski last spring, when he came to TCNJ for a weekend retreat hosted by the Leadership Development Program (LDP). When Joe was a student at the college, he was president of LDP and he periodically returns to campus to inspire a new wave of LDP members.
One of the most important aspects of Joe Urbanski’s style of speaking is his ability to connect with his audience. As you will see a little bit of in this short clip, Urbanski engages his audience with his actions, exaggerated expressions and gestures as well as meaningful dialogue. Moreover, his visual and auditory aids are used perfectly in conjunction with the presentation as a whole. He certainly, “knows his stuff,” while he is presenting. Furthermore, he never forgets the imperative notion that lies in audience’s heads, “What’s in it for me?” Urbanski’s workshops and presentations are specifically designed and catered to the needs of each individual crowd he speaks for. Moreover, Urbanski is able to continuously achieve what I believe is a key element of public speaking. His high energy level is infectious and he is able to transfer this energy to the crowd he is speaking to. If the audience is lively and walks away inspired, then the speaker has fulfilled his purpose and that is exactly what Joe Urbanski does.
The Clip begins at 3:36 and ends at 4:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldsC5sjxCUE
In order for a person to be deemed as a great orator, he or she must be able to effectively communicate their intended message through nonverbal and verbal messages and must simultaneously receive positive feedback from the audience. The person who portrays all of these qualities of a great speaker is Magic Johnson. A basketball legend, AIDS activist, and a businessman, Magic Johnson is mostly well-known for his athletic excellence as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers to win five National Championships during the 1980s. Unfortunately after a few years later, he was diagnosed with HIV, which made him resign his career as a basketball star. However, Magic continues to fight through his illness and continues to be an inspiration to everyone by giving motivational speeches all around the world.
The speech that touched me the most was Magic Johnson’s speech at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service. His delivery of the speech clearly shows that he has thought about the meaning of his speech before sharing his words with the crowd. His organization was well thought out—he begins his speech with a humorous anecdote of a dinner he had with Michael at his house, while displaying effective eye contact, confident posture and vocal tone. At this moment, the audience forms credibility through his gestures and messages. Since Magic wanted Michael’s Jackson’s death to be a celebration rather than a mourning, he effectively achieves his goal by telling his humorous story and then receiving a feedback of laughter from the audience. By telling a personal story, Magic grabs their undivided attention. Finally, he touches the audience by saying that Michael’s kids will not be alone because they have their cousins, uncles and aunts who will give them the utmost care. Furthermore, Magic effectively uses hesitation when they are needed, uses the technique of repetition to describe Michael’s achievements, and also has great word choice to strongly deliver his message. In essence, Magic Johnson fills the room with an aura of not depression or gloom but happiness and peacefulness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1wNNgi0pOw&feature=fvst
One of the most powerful public speakers, in my opinion, is Ronald Reagan. He was able to captivate a room, and beyond that, an entire country, with his words and charisma. The way he gave his speeches, no matter the topic, made his public sit up and pay attention. In this clip, he is talking about the dangers of communism and its effects on society. It could have been a difficult speech to give, full of preaching and talking down to his audience. Instead, Reagan utilizes a conversational tone, making it seem as if he’s having a one-on-one conversation, instead of addressing the whole of the American public. He utilizes his pauses well, making sure each pause emphasizes a specific point of his.He also uses points he knows will capture and keep his audience’s attention, such as the quote he uses to preface his main message about communism. Reagan was a powerful speaker with the ability to use his orator skills to capture a room’s attention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do0x-Egc6oA
I have not personally heard a lot of great public speakers, but one man I have personally heard speak comes to mind and that’s, Andres Lara. He was a Cuban refugee that came to the United States with practically nothing, like a lot of Cubans did at that time, on a boat, in order to escape his oppressive country. I admire him as a public speaker because I believe he is successful at what he does. He is a motivational speaker and goes to seminars and tells people his story about his own personal trials and tribulations that he faced and overcame to be where he is at today, in hopes to inspire others. I think what makes him stand out and admirable is that he shares his own genuine story about coming to a country with nothing, speaking only Spanish, homeless at 16 and eventually graduating from a University with honors making his dreams a reality, writing and talking to people about how to become successful despite any adversity they might face. On top of that, besides the content of his message the way he delivers this message, also adds to what I believe makes him such a successful public speaker. He paces the room and uses gestures but not in a way that seems fidgety, instead he uses the gestures efficiently to enhance his story. In many of his seminars he engages the audiences, asking questions making it interactive, which means he has their attention. I believe that at the end of a seminar like these, one should take something out of it and really think about what they heard, not just the day they attend the seminar but for the days that follow, and I think if they do than the public speakers spiel should be considered a success.
http://www.youtube.com/user/EverydayMotivator#p/a/u/1/SEAxqh76-yo
I very much liked Ellina's post about Bill Clinton. She made a very good point about how Clinton was able to win over an audience who initially had a negative reaction to his presence. Her point about not letting emotions dictate the delivery of his speech is a very good point about speechmaking. One should be able to sense the audience's emotions, yet they should have a little trouble understanding what the speaker is feeling.
Josh Buono mentioned Kurt Vonnegut as a public speaker, someone who I didn't know spoke much. Josh touched on the importance of humor in a speech, something that I think is missing from many public speeches. While certainly Vonnegut was expected to be funny, considering he was a satirist, other speakers who are not known to be funny should, if able, attempt humor. Most non-political speeches, in my opinion, don't have far reaching consequences from their words (for an example of the importance of political rhetoric, watch The Special Relationship). They can afford some sense of humor so long as the speaker does not overuse it.
Rich's post was about a man I also admire, Adam Sessler. He isn't a very well known public figure outside of the gaming community, but his power as a video game journalist is great. He is the editor-in-chief of content at G4TV, America's most watched video game television network. I have seen Sessler speak many times before, and I also admire him. However, Rich touched upon an excellent point about Sessler: his speaking voice is grating. The man has a very sort of middle to high pitched, somewhat squeaky voice. It is unique but it is not pleasant to the ear. However, Sessler has learned to use this to his advantage through, as Rich stated, his fluctuation. He has to work at making himself listenable to an audience, for he is no Sam Elliot or George Clooney. And he has done so very effectively.
If you are looking to make a business meeting or conference successful you need to work properly on it before the conference and you should find speakers who are capable of giving prfessional speach in your meeting this will surely help your cause..
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