Latest news with #PublicSpeaking
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What Theater Can Teach Leaders About Communication
Presenting in the boardroom isn't so different from performing on stage By Mercedes Segura Amat, Professor of Public Speaking at Esade Imagine this: the lights dim, an expectant hush settles over the crowd, and suddenly… the CEO walks in. Not into a theater, but a boardroom. Yet the scene is the same: there is an audience, a message, and a unique opportunity to connect — or disconnect. Many leaders think that communicating means speaking. But if that were true, we would all be Shakespeare. Communicating as a leader is more than just speaking; it is acting. And not in the sense of pretending, but of mastering the stagecraft of presence, emotion, and impact. When business leaders present, they often set their emotions aside in an attempt to seem more professional. But we are emotional beings. Everything that goes through our hearts and minds influences how we express ourselves. And what is theater if not a form of communication based on emotions. Actors are experts in emotion-driven communication. So, there is a connection between theater and business, since we all want the same thing when we speak. Whether actor or business executive, actor or non-actor, we want to connect, empathize, and touch the hearts and minds of our listeners. That's why theater can help us express ourselves better, with passion, conviction, and fun! I conceive of every act of communication (every client presentation, every negotiation, every shareholders' meeting) as a scene from a play. Anyone who grasps this parallel and sees the world as a stage automatically elevates the quality of their presentations. Managers who understand that they are actors on the stage of life prepare to deliver the best version of themselves and, like good stage directors, leave nothing to chance (from the script to the scenery, costume design, or connection with the audience). All of this enhances their performance. Let's look at how. Four lessons from theater to communicate like a leader 1. Prepare the content. This process entails much more than putting together a slide deck in PowerPoint, since that should only cover the key headlines and figures, not the entire message. Use the 'Notes' section of each slide to jot down key sentences you don't want to forget with the exact wording you want to use. The slides are part of the scenery, a backdrop to embellish your performance, not something to be read from. 2. Rehearse in advance. The more prepared you are, the more relaxed you'll be. Have doubts? Rehearse. Afraid you'll forget something? Rehearse. Worried you won't be persuasive enough? Rehearse more. Rehearsing prepares you for the unexpected, because things don't always go according to plan (the projector isn't working and you have to speak without your slides; an unexpected presence in the audience throws you off balance; etc.). And don't think that rehearsing will make you sound less natural, because even naturalness takes practice. You need to rehearse in order to leave room for improvisation. Rehearsing consists of three stages: 3. Tap into the audience's emotion. Are you going to tell a story or give a report? It doesn't matter what industry you're in (technology, renewables, investment banking, etc.): as a leader, you are a storyteller. No matter how technical your presentation is, no matter how many figures and analyses you are dealing with, if you want the audience to tune in and connect, you need to tell a story. Because humans are social creatures, and stories allow us to empathize and understand complex situations. Stories evoke emotions (joy, fear, surprise, sadness), and memory is closely linked to emotions. Numbers, on the other hand, are neutral and do not trigger the same emotional response. Besides, there is a chemical element at work: a good story triggers the release of dopamine and oxytocin in the brain, chemicals that enhance attention and recall. So, for every figure you want your audience to remember, find a story, anecdote, joke, or tale that lets you establish a connection and spark their interest and memory. 4. Relax and focus to overcome any pre-performance jitters through deep, abdominal breathing. Going on stage is a thrilling, but challenging experience, because it is not a 'natural' act. It causes our adrenaline to surge, triggering direct physical responses (our voice trembles, our hands sweat, our hearts race, our movements become jumpy, etc.). How can we appear relaxed and self-assured in front of an audience? Before performing, take three long, slow, deep abdominal breaths. And don't start until the stress subsides. Better to let the audience wait just a bit longer than to step out feeling like a nervous wreck. For actors, every gesture counts. Every pause carries weight. Actors know all too well that every word can elicit a standing ovation… or a yawn. Just as it can for managers presenting to their teams or their investors. So, the next time you take the floor, remember: you are not giving a speech; you're playing a crucial role. And your audience—whether customers, employees, or partners—is expecting more than just data; it's expecting an experience. In theater, every performance is unique. There are no retakes. Just a single chance to inspire, convince, or transform. In leadership, so is every conversation. Are you ready to take the stage?
CBS News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
From the stage to real life, speech students find their voice in new documentary "Speak."
For Esther Oyetunji, becoming the first three-time National Speech and Debate champion in Original Oratory, the first in the competition's history, captured just how far she had come from being a shy teenager. Her journey, along with four other former high school students, is captured in a new documentary titled "Speak." that reveals how speech and debate competitions have become launching pads for future leaders, from Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt to three Supreme Court justices. The documentary follows students competing in Original Oratory, a format where competitors deliver roughly 10-minute speeches attempting to convince audiences about problems needing solutions. Besides Oyetunji, the film features fellow competitors Sam Schaefer and Noah Chao-Detiveaux. CBS News contributor David Begnaud, who reached the national speech and debate finals as a teenager, now serves as emcee for the annual tournament. "The power of speech and debate is that there's so many different perspectives and just so many different life stories, and that's why, like, listening is my favorite part," said Oyetunji, whose speeches have addressed childhood poverty and gun violence in schools. The competition teaches students life skills beyond public speaking. "To take someone who was shy but had a lot to say and be able to progress and learn, like, how do I argue for myself and for other people? How do I learn to convey stories and say people's stories in a way that's honest, but also ethical," Oyetunji said. "Those aren't skills you get to learn how to do in any other environment." Fellow competitor Schaefer agreed. "Doing speech in high school really prepares you for everything, whether it be a job interview, being able to confront people when you don't feel comfortable in something," he said. The documentary also reveals the intensely personal nature of the competition. Chao-Detiveaux delivered a speech about his mother's death by suicide, using the platform to advocate for a better understanding of mental health issues. "We don't stop suicide by labeling it as something evil," Chao-Detiveaux said in his speech. "Stop it by making the alternative, life, better." The competitive atmosphere, students facing off against with the nation's top speakers, creates both pressure and growth opportunities that develops listening skills and empathy, participants say. "Probably one of the greatest lessons they all learn is how to lose, how to have their thoughts challenged," said Scott Wunn, who runs the National Speech and Debate Association. "It's pretty cutthroat, but also pretty awesome." The National Speech and Debate Association, which represents thousands of students competing annually, views the activity as leadership training that develops listening skills and empathy. "This is a pathway to train people for leadership," Wunn said. "Let them speak because when they speak, they grow, and them growing is what our future needs." The documentary was filmed at various locations including the Ron Clark Academy, a Hogwarts-inspired middle school in Atlanta where participants gathered to discuss their experiences. David Begnaud loves uncovering the heart of every story and will continue to do so, highlighting everyday heroes and proving that there is good news in the news with his exclusive "CBS Mornings" series, "Beg-Knows America." Every Monday, get ready for moments that will make you smile or even shed a tear. Do you have a story about an ordinary person doing something extraordinary for someone else? Email David and his team at DearDavid@
