I was reading some of speeches from emminent business leaders and came across this wonderful story from Azim Premji about the power of education and cascading effects of educating one child.
The story is about a poor Scottish farmer named Fleming. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the boy from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
"I want to repay you, " said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment the farmer's own son came to the door of the hovel.
"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If he's anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of." And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him?
Penicillin.
This is not the end. The nobleman's son also made a great contribution to society. For the nobleman was none other than Lord Randolph Churchill. And his son's name was Winston Churchill.
I think this is the only way for accelerating economic growth and development for the entire world economy. Those who know, share there information. You never know when you end up making a farm kid into Alexander Fleming.
Showing posts with label Public Speaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Speaking. Show all posts
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
A refreshing realization at Toast Master !!!
It isn’t easy for me to come to my blog these days. Still wanted to write a quick update on the first prize I won at Toast Master in yesterday’s meeting for I don’t want my dear blog to be devoid of the good news.
I was rated as the ‘Best Table Topic Speaker’ though I thought I could have added a lot to the content. The topic given was ‘Knowledge is Best when put into Practice’. It was even better when the evaluator showered praise on my voice, style, and flow. The best compliment perhaps was ‘It was an impromptu speech and you are our Guest. Still I would say it seemed like a prepared speech”. In my own small world, it’s a huge boost and a significant step towards my public speaking un-official career that I launched couple of months back.
This post definately deserves 'The First in my life' tag. I shall be updating about my public speaking developments as I go. For the time being, time to get back from where I came from.
Ciao
~Vinit
I was rated as the ‘Best Table Topic Speaker’ though I thought I could have added a lot to the content. The topic given was ‘Knowledge is Best when put into Practice’. It was even better when the evaluator showered praise on my voice, style, and flow. The best compliment perhaps was ‘It was an impromptu speech and you are our Guest. Still I would say it seemed like a prepared speech”. In my own small world, it’s a huge boost and a significant step towards my public speaking un-official career that I launched couple of months back.
This post definately deserves 'The First in my life' tag. I shall be updating about my public speaking developments as I go. For the time being, time to get back from where I came from.
Ciao
~Vinit
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Public Speaking – A marathon with David Brooks!!
For long, I wanted to write a post in Q & A format. Please pardon me if you find this structure imposed.
Q. Who is David Brooks?
A. David is World Champion in Public Speaking contest in 1990, have been associated with Toast Masters club for more than 20 years, author of the book “The Seven Strategies of Master Presenter”. To discover more please visit www.DavidBrooksTexas.com
Q. How do you know David?
A. Ahh…he is a childhood friend. In fact when he was writing his speech for his contest in 1990 I helped him with some fundamental corrections without which he admits he may have never won!!! (Wasn’t that outrageously audacious: P). On factual note, I heard him today at New-Delhi present with his Magic Moments collection and I am highly impressed the way he digressed the moves and gestures of speakers, suggesting that it’s no less than an ART to speak well.
Q. Why are you writing this post?
A. First because research suggests we loose 50% of content from our memory within 24 hours, next 50% in 48 hours and continue to loose at similar pace. I don’t want to loose insightful things I learnt from David today. Second, if you go right to my first post on this blog I made a promise to my blog that it will be my companion in my journey. I am man of my words my friend.
Q. Why should I read this post?
A. If you have reached this far, perhaps you are interested in either of three: - Public Speaking or David Brooks or me!! Read on, I assure you will be interested in at least one more thing that what you currently are.
You can’t have better start to your newly developed passion as I did. I have often read and tried to understood styles, presentations, speeches, and insights of numerous well known personalities. However, this is the first time I met someone accomplished personally. David left me with number of things to think, actions to take, and ways to improve my public speaking capabilities. I will note here some of the highly concise yet elaborate pieces one should take care to make credible speeches:
Body Language begins with Face:-
Speeches not backed with credible gestures will merely be imposition. You have to act as a guide to the audience with your gestures making it as simple as possible for them to interpret what you are saying. The body gestures start right from your face. Learn to let your face clearly express what you say and more importantly, what you don’t. Audience will love it.
Don’t tell the audience, take them to the scene:-
Again, the gestures -The speech should include gestures that take the audience right into the scene. If you are verbally fighting with someone in the speech, the person should appear to be at a distance with your gestures. If you are caring for someone, the person should appear right close to you.
Repetition and Restatement leads to Remember able speeches
The theme needs to be restated so that the audience stay hooked to the message.
Good writing backed with rigorous practice is pivotal for good speeches:-
Now I can relate and decode Steve Jobs. When Steve was giving his presentation on launch of i-Phone, he had his presentation behind him. Without even looking at the presentation, Steve most of time spoke exactly when the next slide was shown. This shows rigorous amount of practice that took him close to perfection.
Structure your speech like a Necklace: -
Each bead is unique story / anecdote. The thread that binds bead is your theme.
Make a point & tell a story because Facts Tell. Stories Sell.
I can’t illustrate this better. People don’t remember points, they remember the stories. So if you are writing your self-evaluation or personal statements, any adjective you use for yourself should be backed with an example. Similarly, if you are making a presentation and preaching some message back it up with a story.
Silence can be a message
Perhaps the toughest thing to do. To be silent and to keep the audience silent at the same time. For this, you need to have riveting control over the audience. Use silence at appropriate time and your presentations will fly.
Keep your own personal story file:-
Start noting small stories from your life and connect them to six emotions all human share (Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Surprise, and Fear). I am fortunate that I have been collecting and introspecting on my story for some time now. I got a new handle today to organize my thoughts – connect your stories with six emotions we all share.
Learn to use the power of misdirection.
Sometimes you have to misdirect the audience simply to gain more control. For instance, you may start an anecdote and give a pause where you feel audience will state something obvious. Once the audience does, say something different and more insightful. To surprise the audience and to re-state that “I am here. I am taking control here”.
Quite a lot of words of wisdom: - Writing them is one thing and practicing is another. This new journey in Public Speaking should be fun. I am on!!!
Q. Who is David Brooks?
A. David is World Champion in Public Speaking contest in 1990, have been associated with Toast Masters club for more than 20 years, author of the book “The Seven Strategies of Master Presenter”. To discover more please visit www.DavidBrooksTexas.com
Q. How do you know David?
A. Ahh…he is a childhood friend. In fact when he was writing his speech for his contest in 1990 I helped him with some fundamental corrections without which he admits he may have never won!!! (Wasn’t that outrageously audacious: P). On factual note, I heard him today at New-Delhi present with his Magic Moments collection and I am highly impressed the way he digressed the moves and gestures of speakers, suggesting that it’s no less than an ART to speak well.
Q. Why are you writing this post?
A. First because research suggests we loose 50% of content from our memory within 24 hours, next 50% in 48 hours and continue to loose at similar pace. I don’t want to loose insightful things I learnt from David today. Second, if you go right to my first post on this blog I made a promise to my blog that it will be my companion in my journey. I am man of my words my friend.
Q. Why should I read this post?
A. If you have reached this far, perhaps you are interested in either of three: - Public Speaking or David Brooks or me!! Read on, I assure you will be interested in at least one more thing that what you currently are.
You can’t have better start to your newly developed passion as I did. I have often read and tried to understood styles, presentations, speeches, and insights of numerous well known personalities. However, this is the first time I met someone accomplished personally. David left me with number of things to think, actions to take, and ways to improve my public speaking capabilities. I will note here some of the highly concise yet elaborate pieces one should take care to make credible speeches:
Body Language begins with Face:-
Speeches not backed with credible gestures will merely be imposition. You have to act as a guide to the audience with your gestures making it as simple as possible for them to interpret what you are saying. The body gestures start right from your face. Learn to let your face clearly express what you say and more importantly, what you don’t. Audience will love it.
Don’t tell the audience, take them to the scene:-
Again, the gestures -The speech should include gestures that take the audience right into the scene. If you are verbally fighting with someone in the speech, the person should appear to be at a distance with your gestures. If you are caring for someone, the person should appear right close to you.
Repetition and Restatement leads to Remember able speeches
The theme needs to be restated so that the audience stay hooked to the message.
Good writing backed with rigorous practice is pivotal for good speeches:-
Now I can relate and decode Steve Jobs. When Steve was giving his presentation on launch of i-Phone, he had his presentation behind him. Without even looking at the presentation, Steve most of time spoke exactly when the next slide was shown. This shows rigorous amount of practice that took him close to perfection.
Structure your speech like a Necklace: -
Each bead is unique story / anecdote. The thread that binds bead is your theme.
Make a point & tell a story because Facts Tell. Stories Sell.
I can’t illustrate this better. People don’t remember points, they remember the stories. So if you are writing your self-evaluation or personal statements, any adjective you use for yourself should be backed with an example. Similarly, if you are making a presentation and preaching some message back it up with a story.
Silence can be a message
Perhaps the toughest thing to do. To be silent and to keep the audience silent at the same time. For this, you need to have riveting control over the audience. Use silence at appropriate time and your presentations will fly.
Keep your own personal story file:-
Start noting small stories from your life and connect them to six emotions all human share (Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Surprise, and Fear). I am fortunate that I have been collecting and introspecting on my story for some time now. I got a new handle today to organize my thoughts – connect your stories with six emotions we all share.
Learn to use the power of misdirection.
Sometimes you have to misdirect the audience simply to gain more control. For instance, you may start an anecdote and give a pause where you feel audience will state something obvious. Once the audience does, say something different and more insightful. To surprise the audience and to re-state that “I am here. I am taking control here”.
Quite a lot of words of wisdom: - Writing them is one thing and practicing is another. This new journey in Public Speaking should be fun. I am on!!!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
ToastMaster Speech - A new Begning
Over the past few years, I have developed a habbit to write. This lovely blog has been my partner in a decision that I took last year to better the Writer in me. It feels great today to be complimented for the blogs and other writes I do. Ofcourse, this is an ongoing journey to improve everyday. However, looking at an email about ToastMaster Club in my office, I thought this is an opportunity to externalize the writer in me to be a good public speaker as well. I have no idea of how good or bad speaker I am and this was an opportunity to discover.
I ventured to attend my first toastmaster session today. It was a wonderful experience. The people there were absolutely fantastic. The moment I entered the room, there was a huge cheer. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Here we have our first and the only Guest for today !!" It was wonderful to see a group 30 people, completely unknown to me, cheering for me. On the back of mind, I thought "Who said Indians are best hosts. I have never received such reception before".
I sat comfortably along with a jovial and fun-loving old lady, only to discover later of her naughty instincts. There was a person speaking on a black pen. He was absolutely fantastic in his speech and incorporated the typical American original sense of humor. I like American's humor a lot now a days. The moment he finished, another person referred as "Table Master" stood up. I noticed from the corner of my eye the old lady making gestures to the "Table Master" pointing towards me. I was confused at first.
"Ladies and Gentlemen,now we welcome our Guest to come and give us all a speech. Would you like to come and speak Mr. Guest" said the Table Master. I froze. Everybody started to look at me and I was the center of everybody's focus. "Now ? Today ?" were the only two words that I uttered. I came to this meeting just to see how it goes and had no idea what would happen inside. Everybody had a fountain laughter and clapped. "Yes, we would love to listen from you" said someone from the audience. What a crowd I thought. I decided to give it a shot. I was nervours but I was equally thrilled.
I went up to the table. The Table Master explained me that I have put my hand inside the Magic Bag and speak on the item that I grab for less than 2 minutes. Hmm less than 2 minutes ..Infront of 30 complete strangers. Anyways, I gathered my breath and begin to believe that my throat has not gone dry and I can make it. Before I put my hand into the bag, I said something like this:
"Before I begin this wonderful practice, I had like to share with you how I feel right now. Ofcourse all of you must have had the same feeling at some point of time when you gave your first speech. I read it somewhere that the number one fear of all human beings is "public speaking" and the number two is "Death". The article intrigued me and I decided I cannot become immortal or may be I already am but I can conciously become a good public speaker. So here I am and I thank you all for giving me this opportunity" -- Cheers and loud clapping and suddenly I thought I belong to the people there.
The item that came out from the bag was a packet of "Mint Choclates". I looked at it for a moment, gathered my thoughts. Suddenly there was nothing there in my head, instead my heart spoke. I spoke for 1 minute and 30 seconds on the piece I had in my hand. I don't think I did well during the whole speech. I could hit some light chords such as "As I generous person, I would love to distribute these choclates to all of you. But since the number of choclates is lesser than audience and I can't see some of you not having even a single piece, I will rather keep all of these for myself :)". The audience laughed and cheered and I was myself. There were numerous things I could have done better. There were numerous thoughts that come to me now but not then. However, I am happy that I took my first step and ofcourse this is an another ongoing journey.
It was very encouraging when the Table Master at the end said that not a single guest till today has come forward and spoke on his first day here. It was a great speech ViniD "Yeah, still have issues in my accent and Americans pick D instead of T in my name Vinit". The "ah" "Ummm" "So" "You know" calculator told me that I had very few such words in my articulation, amazingly high for the first timer. Encouraging again !!
They say "It is always hard to take the first step, the rest just follow". I took my first step in public speaking on a myraid topic today. It is one thing to speak in a meeting or in a presentation or in a town hall to the audience you know on cognitive and creative level and It is completely different to speak in ToastMaster Club. I don't know how directly or indirectly public speaking is conneted to me but I believe in Steve Jobs who said that "Ofcourse it is impossible to see how the dots will connect looking forward. But trust me, they do. Follow your heart. And the confidence and belief that the dots will connect will make all the required difference in your deeds and actions. Believe in something and follow it.". Amazing words of wisdom !!
Thank you ToastMaster for the opportunity to add a new Dot to myself and I definately look forward to associate with this club in Gurgaon. Ah yesss... The Mint Choclates were absolutely fantastic !!!
Ciao
I ventured to attend my first toastmaster session today. It was a wonderful experience. The people there were absolutely fantastic. The moment I entered the room, there was a huge cheer. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Here we have our first and the only Guest for today !!" It was wonderful to see a group 30 people, completely unknown to me, cheering for me. On the back of mind, I thought "Who said Indians are best hosts. I have never received such reception before".
I sat comfortably along with a jovial and fun-loving old lady, only to discover later of her naughty instincts. There was a person speaking on a black pen. He was absolutely fantastic in his speech and incorporated the typical American original sense of humor. I like American's humor a lot now a days. The moment he finished, another person referred as "Table Master" stood up. I noticed from the corner of my eye the old lady making gestures to the "Table Master" pointing towards me. I was confused at first.
"Ladies and Gentlemen,now we welcome our Guest to come and give us all a speech. Would you like to come and speak Mr. Guest" said the Table Master. I froze. Everybody started to look at me and I was the center of everybody's focus. "Now ? Today ?" were the only two words that I uttered. I came to this meeting just to see how it goes and had no idea what would happen inside. Everybody had a fountain laughter and clapped. "Yes, we would love to listen from you" said someone from the audience. What a crowd I thought. I decided to give it a shot. I was nervours but I was equally thrilled.
I went up to the table. The Table Master explained me that I have put my hand inside the Magic Bag and speak on the item that I grab for less than 2 minutes. Hmm less than 2 minutes ..Infront of 30 complete strangers. Anyways, I gathered my breath and begin to believe that my throat has not gone dry and I can make it. Before I put my hand into the bag, I said something like this:
"Before I begin this wonderful practice, I had like to share with you how I feel right now. Ofcourse all of you must have had the same feeling at some point of time when you gave your first speech. I read it somewhere that the number one fear of all human beings is "public speaking" and the number two is "Death". The article intrigued me and I decided I cannot become immortal or may be I already am but I can conciously become a good public speaker. So here I am and I thank you all for giving me this opportunity" -- Cheers and loud clapping and suddenly I thought I belong to the people there.
The item that came out from the bag was a packet of "Mint Choclates". I looked at it for a moment, gathered my thoughts. Suddenly there was nothing there in my head, instead my heart spoke. I spoke for 1 minute and 30 seconds on the piece I had in my hand. I don't think I did well during the whole speech. I could hit some light chords such as "As I generous person, I would love to distribute these choclates to all of you. But since the number of choclates is lesser than audience and I can't see some of you not having even a single piece, I will rather keep all of these for myself :)". The audience laughed and cheered and I was myself. There were numerous things I could have done better. There were numerous thoughts that come to me now but not then. However, I am happy that I took my first step and ofcourse this is an another ongoing journey.
It was very encouraging when the Table Master at the end said that not a single guest till today has come forward and spoke on his first day here. It was a great speech ViniD "Yeah, still have issues in my accent and Americans pick D instead of T in my name Vinit". The "ah" "Ummm" "So" "You know" calculator told me that I had very few such words in my articulation, amazingly high for the first timer. Encouraging again !!
They say "It is always hard to take the first step, the rest just follow". I took my first step in public speaking on a myraid topic today. It is one thing to speak in a meeting or in a presentation or in a town hall to the audience you know on cognitive and creative level and It is completely different to speak in ToastMaster Club. I don't know how directly or indirectly public speaking is conneted to me but I believe in Steve Jobs who said that "Ofcourse it is impossible to see how the dots will connect looking forward. But trust me, they do. Follow your heart. And the confidence and belief that the dots will connect will make all the required difference in your deeds and actions. Believe in something and follow it.". Amazing words of wisdom !!
Thank you ToastMaster for the opportunity to add a new Dot to myself and I definately look forward to associate with this club in Gurgaon. Ah yesss... The Mint Choclates were absolutely fantastic !!!
Ciao
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