Carnegie Language Breakthroughs and the Art of Communication

Chapter 22 The Art of Effective Communication (1)
Appropriate Attitude for Giving a Speech
When it comes to a speech, there are three things that matter most: who is giving the speech, how he is giving it, and what he is saying.Of these three things, the last one is the least important.A speaker's greatest asset, therefore, is his personality.

There are four ways, and only four, that bring us into contact with the world.Believe it or not.It is in these four ways of contact that people judge and classify us.The four ways are: what we do, what we look like, what we say, and how we say it.Let's discuss the last item first, which is how we say it.

When I first taught speech classes, I spent a lot of time on vocal exercises, teaching students to use resonance, training them to increase their volume, and to make their endings more lively.But I soon discovered the futility of teaching adults how to place tones in the sinuses and how to form "clear" vowels.This training is certainly an excellent method for those who spend three or four years improving their vocal expressive skills.I do understand, however, that my students will have to make do with their natural articulators.What I have found, however, is that if the time and energy previously spent on helping students practice "diaphragmatic breathing" is directed toward a more important goal—helping them free themselves from the self-inhibition that makes them too afraid to let go of it, it will It will achieve a very obvious and long-lasting amazing effect.Thank God for empowering me to do so wisely.

1. Break the shyness and insecurity

In my course schedule, there are several classes that are designed to relieve people's inner rigidity and tension.I got down on my knees—no exaggeration—begging my students to come out of their shy turtle shells and see themselves.As long as they are willing to come out, the world will welcome them with enthusiasm.I admit, it takes a little work, but it's worth it.As the French Marshal Fouche clarified when talking about the art of war: the art of war is extremely simple as a concept, but it is very complicated and very difficult to execute.When people climb out of the shy turtle shell, their biggest stumbling block is naturally awkwardness, which is not only manifested physically, but also psychologically, and this feeling will become stronger with age.

It is indeed not an easy task to speak naturally and fluently in front of an audience. You must practice many times to achieve this state.Actors perhaps understand this best.

However, when you are a child, let's say 4 years old, you may be able to step up to the podium without fear and speak to an audience with great dexterity and spontaneity!But when you're 24 or 45 and you're on stage again, how will your performance be?Do you still have the natural disregard for the reaction of the people around you that you were on stage when you were 4 years old?Maybe, maybe not.But according to my observation, when you get older, you tend to become more reserved, reserved and mechanical.Some people will even be like a tortoise, as soon as the head is stretched out, after looking outside for a while, it quickly retracts back into the shell.

In teaching or training adults to give speech, the point is not so much to add to them certain qualities as to help them remove the barriers to their natural responses to the situation they are confronted with.

I don't know how many times I've interrupted speakers in the middle of their speeches and asked them to "speak like one."I can't remember how many nights I have racked my brains to train my students to speak naturally, so that when I go home, I am mentally and nervously exhausted.Believe me, this is not as easy as it sounds.

In one class, I asked students to act out certain parts of the dialogue, some of which were even in dialect.I want them to throw themselves into these dramatic stories.When they did it, they were all amazed to find that although they might act like a fool, they felt pretty good when they were doing it!And the whole class was even more amazed at the performance ability shown by some people!So I think once you're comfortable in front of a crowd, it's impossible to back down.And at this time, whether you are facing an individual or in front of a crowd, you can express your opinions in a very normal and habitual way.

The freedom you suddenly feel at this moment is like a bird that escapes from the cage of confinement and can spread its wings and fly high.look!Why do people flock to the theater or go to the cinema?Because there they can see their own kind perform freely on the screen or on the stage!There they can also see people bare their hearts and emotions in plain sight.

2. Be yourself

There are certain speakers we all have great envy for.They can embed showmanship in their speeches, express themselves without fear, and have the flexibility to say what their audience wants to hear in a very unique, personal, and imaginative way.

Shortly after the end of the First World War, I met two brothers Ross and Kane Smith in London.They had just completed the first flight from London to Australia, a feat that caused a sensation throughout the British Empire.They won a prize of A$5 from the Australian government and were honored to be knighted by the Emperor.

During their feat of flight, there was a well-known landscape photographer, Captain Huley, who accompanied them for a part of the flight and photographed many scenes for them.In order to expand the influence of this flight, the British government specially arranged for them to give special speeches at the "Philharmonic Hall" in London.I am very honored to assist them to explain the experience of this trip through pictures, and the focus is to train them how to express.

The two of them gave speeches twice a day in the "Philharmonic Hall" in London, one for each in the morning and one in the evening. This activity lasted for four months.

It is incredible that although the two brothers have exactly the same experience, because they have flown half the world side by side, and their speeches are almost the same word for word, but the audience can hear it The difference is so huge!

In order to make a speech successful, there are other important factors besides the expression of words and sentences, that is, the unique flavor adopted in the expression of words and sentences, that is, the attitude when speaking.What to say and how to say it are two different things and must not be confused.

I happened to be sitting next to a young lady at a public recital.When the famous pianist Penderewski played a Mazurka by Chopin, she was also looking at the score.Judging from her facial expression, she was puzzled because she could not understand: she and the pianist had played the same dance piece, and struck the exact same notes, yet their expressiveness was different. There is a huge difference, her performance is very ordinary, and the pianist's performance is so attractive, he can play this piece so beautifully that it affects the audience.It turns out that if a piece of music is to be played fascinatingly, the key is not only whether he plays the right notes, but the way he plays it!The reason why this pianist can play the same piece so touchingly is mainly because he added his own feeling when playing, reflecting his artistic talent and distinctive personality.It is all this that constitutes the difference between a mortal and a genius.

Once, the great Russian painter Brulov made slight revisions to a student's work.When the students saw the modified picture, they were very surprised, and couldn't help shouting: "Ah! You only moved a little bit, and the whole picture gives people a completely different feeling!" Brulov replied Said: "Doesn't art start from such a small point!"

The above examples of performance and painting tell us the truth of "Kung Fu is beyond poetry".The same holds true for how people behave when they speak.There is an old saying in the British Parliament that the results of all things are determined by the way of speech, not by the things themselves.

"All Fords are identical in performance and style," their manufacturer once said, "but we cannot find two identical persons in their users. Each is a A new life, who is a flesh and blood being bathed in the sun. From the day of his or her birth, he or she is an unprecedented creation of God. Young people should cultivate this concept , he should seek a unique individuality, make himself different, and dig out his own value. Society and schools may try to reform him, they are used to put each individual in the same mold, but we will not let That spark of individuality that lurks in every human being disappears. It is the only real proof that you matter as a person."

For speeches, the above passage is even more true.You can't find another person like you in this world.Yes, it is true that hundreds of millions of people have two eyes, one nose and one mouth, but not one of them is exactly like you, nor can you find a single person among them who has exactly the same as you. The same thoughts and ideas.And few people talk and express themselves in exactly the same way you do.In other words, the views you express are completely personal and unique.This uniqueness is your most valuable asset as a speaker.grab it!Cherish it!play it!It is this spark that will give your speech immense power and express a genuine sincerity to your audience.This is the only true proof of your personal importance.Please, folks, I implore you, don't lose your individuality by fitting yourself into some man-made mold.

Some people speak differently because they are different themselves.The way he speaks is an essential part of his personality, just as his beard and baldness are his unique "trademarks".Instead, let's imagine that if he tried to imitate Lloyd George, his performance would be false and he would be doomed.

The most famous debate in American history took place in 1858 in a town in the Illinois prairie between Senator Douglas and Lincoln.Lincoln was tall and awkward; his counterpart, Douglas, was short and graceful.These two people are not only very different in appearance, they are also completely different in personality, thought, standpoint and opinion.

Douglas was in the upper class, while Lincoln was nicknamed "The Woodcutter". He often walked to the gate to meet the people in short socks; Douglas's posture was very elegant, while Lincoln was clumsy; Lincoln was the greatest storyteller of all time; Douglas was unsmiling, Lincoln often quoted facts and examples to impress his audience; The process is slow; Douglass speaks like a storm, Lincoln appears calmer, and expresses his thoughts very deeply and with great deliberation.

Although these two men were very different in appearance and inwardness, they were both extraordinary speakers because of their unparalleled courage and extraordinary perception.If any one of them tries to imitate the other, he is bound to lose badly in this debate.Fortunately, each of them brings out their unique talents to the fullest, thus making themselves both distinctive and persuasive.

"Give full play to your strengths" is easy to say, but is it easy to follow?It's not easy.As Field Marshal Fouchy showed in his analysis of tactics: the concept is extremely simple, but the execution is, unfortunately, complex and difficult.

3. Cultivate a good speech attitude
The words used to express are only part of an important part of a speech, and it also includes the attitude when delivering the speech.How you say it is more important than what you say in your speech.

A good speech attitude can make a very simple thing exert a long-term influence.I have noticed that in speech contests in colleges and universities, the winners are not those who have the best subject matter, but those who have the best attitude, simply because he can make the best use of his subject matter.

Sir Morley, a British politician and famous writer, said in a slightly ironic tone when talking about speeches: "As far as a speech is concerned, there are three most important elements: who made the speech, and how he delivered it. A speech, and what he said. Among the three elements, the last one is the least important.” Is this too exaggerated?Maybe!But if you scrape a thin trace across its surface, you will find the hidden truths shining on you.

The speeches written by the British politician Edmund Burke are the best works in terms of logic, reasoning and article structure.Therefore, even now, more than half of the colleges and universities in the world still study his speeches as classic models.Incredibly, Burke himself was a failed speaker.What is the reason?It turned out that he was dubbed the "dinner bell" of the British House of Commons because he did not have the ability to express his outstanding works, nor did he have the ability to make his speeches attractive and shocking.As soon as he stood up to make a speech, other congressmen coughed, shuffled cards, slept, or left the scene in groups.

You can shoot an iron-cased bullet at someone as hard as you can, and it probably won't leave a mark on that person's clothing at all.But if you put gunpowder behind a candle and shoot it out, it will go through a pine board.I will therefore venture to say that a speech like a candle, propelled by gunpowder, makes a far more impressive impression than one made of steel without an external force.

Therefore, you must pay more attention to your speech attitude.

A. What is speech attitude
What do the guys at a certain store do when they deliver your purchase to your home?Did that delivery driver just drop that shipment in your backyard and walk away?Is throwing something out of one's hand the same thing as sending something into the other's hand?Think about it, why must the telegraph bureau send a special person to deliver the telegram to the designated recipient in person?In contrast, do all speakers convey their meaning directly to the audience?Let me give an example to illustrate the attitude of ordinary people towards conversation.

I once stopped at the summer resort of Mürren in the Swiss Alps and stayed in a hotel run by a London company.Usually, the hotel has two speakers invited from England every week to give speeches to the guests.This time, they invited a famous British novelist, and the topic of her speech was: the future of the novel.She admitted that she had not chosen the subject herself, and that, worst of all, she felt that she had nothing to say about it.Since she didn't really care about the subject, she didn't care whether her speech would be good or not.Before the speech, she just prepared some abstracts in a hurry, and when she stood in front of the audience, she completely ignored their existence and didn't even look at them.Sometimes she looked up, sometimes down at her notes, sometimes at the ceiling.She read those empty words one by one according to the notes, her eyes were full of trance, and her voice was ethereal, bringing all the listeners into a boring illusion.

Look at her performance, is this still an expression?This is simply performing a personal "monologue", with no sense of communication with the audience at all.The first condition for a good speech is: a sense of communication.As a speaker, you must let the audience feel that there is a message from your head and heart directly to the listener's head and heart.And the performance of the novelist above may only be suitable for the desolate and dry Gobi Desert, because it sounds like grains of sand in the vast desert, and she just treats the audience facing her as a Grains of emotionless sand that don't feel like they're speaking to a group of people.

Therefore, giving a speech is a very simple matter of facing your audience with the right attitude, but it also has a very complicated procedure, that is, you have to carefully prepare for the speech you are about to deliver, devote yourself to it, and face it with sincerity. to the audience.Therefore, the above two aspects are easily misunderstood and abused.

B. How to maintain a good speech attitude
(End of this chapter)