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Thinking on your Feet Under Pressure

Laurie's 'Public Speaking' Newsletter

One of the most panic-stricken scenarios that people put to me is their dread of being asked to stand up and speak without any preparation. This could be the proverbial ‘few words’ at a social occasion, a contribution at a meeting, or being spokesperson in a time of crisis. Likewise you could be put on the spot to thank someone, introduce a speaker or field questions from the floor. In all these cases panic can rear its ugly head and totally destroy your composure. By the end of this chapter you’ll have the know-how and self-assurance to ensure this never happens to you again.

Preparing for the unexpected

Here’s a way to get rid of 95% of the fear in one go. In my programs I say to people, “If you have the remotest inkling that you might be called on to speak, what would be the logical, sensible thing to do?”

They think a little then invariably say, “Prepare something.”

Amazingly, few people do. “Oh, It won’t be me” they say, and front up to the occasion totally ill prepared for the unexpected. And what do you prepare? Well for a start you have some knowledge of the general theme of the meeting or you are familiar with the celebrities. Now, beforehand, simply follow the recurring 4-step formula as outlined in Part 2 in Section 1 and select one or two ideas to focus on. You won’t think very clearly on your feet unless you’ve done some thinking before you get on your feet! What was it that Mark Twain once said? “It takes me about three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.”

First write out a purpose sentence that embodies the message you wish to convey to this audience. Then develop one or two facets of this main theme using vivid illustrative material to connect with both heart and mind. Breathe life into your examples by reliving something that happened to you, something you read or saw on TV or a case study you are familiar with. Then simply restate your main point. Now you are ready for them. With this package of ‘prepared spontaneity’ in your pocket the unexpected has now become the expected and no longer frightens you.

If you’ve just arrived on the scene to learn the guest speaker can’t make it and you’re the bunny in the firing line, the same system applies. Only this time you have a matter of minutes to get your thoughts together. Reaffirm the general theme of the meeting from someone then find yourself a quiet corner. After writing down your purpose sentence, which is the thought you’ll echo for your conclusion, latch on to an experience the audience can relate to that illustrates your main point. State your case, relive your example, and then restate the essence of your purpose sentence.

If on the other hand it really is a case of being thrown to the wolves where the first you hear of your contribution is when you’re announced, our magic formula of Past, Present, Future will come to the rescue.

Past, Present, Future Saves the Day

Recently I found myself stepping onto the platform in front of 200 wildly cheering Italians as the recipient of the ‘best actor’ award for my role as Pontius Pilate in The Easter Passion Play. As an Italian speaking Australian of Anglo Saxon origin I never dreamed it would be me. So much was I taken by surprise that I hadn’t a clue what I was going to say. I’d broken my own cardinal rule of not preparing something beforehand when there was even the slightest chance I could be called on to speak. Then, like a gift from the gods it came to me, our magic formula of Past, Present, and Future.

As Michael handed me my award I turned to the audience and began to speak to the first step of the formula: ‘How were things then’. As if talking to friends across the dinner table, I told of how initially all I’d wanted to be was a Roman soldier to brush up on my Italian. At the audition Michael handed me a script and said, “Readthis”.

“But”, I protested, “this is Pontius Pilate!”

“You’ll be okay” Michael persisted, “just read it for me”.

After a few lines he said, “You’ll do. You’re our Pontius Pilate… But don’t worry we’ll help you.”

“And help me you did” I told my audience. “For six months you helped me with my pronunciation and interpretation of the character. But most of all you helped me in understanding myself”.

(Sharing the spotlight with those who help us adds a human touch to the acceptance. Few people ever achieve anything entirely alone.)

Then I went into ‘How are things now’.

“And to stand here today with this plaque is truly one of the most memorable times in my life… for this award is as much yours as it is mine. It will hang on my wall and I’ll look at it with pride.”

(People love to know what you’re going to do with the gift.)

I concluded with ‘How will things be’. “I’m sure the confidence and presence I’ve gained from the experience will stay with me forever. And if you need a PontiusPilate for next year’s production just give me a call. I’d love to be part of it.” To a person they cheered. Not because I’m any cleverer than anyone else is, but because I had a simple formula with which to convey my heartfelt thanks.

A few last tips to help you think on your feet with confidence. Keep your eyes and ears open on the night for items of interest you can refer to. This will personalise your talk so you’ll be perceived as an ‘off the cuff’ natural. Score off the previous speaker or describe the scene in front of you. Talk about your listeners, who they are and what they do. Or talk about the occasion and the circumstances that brought you to the meeting.

In a Nutshell

• If you have the slightest inkling that you might be called on to speak, prepare something beforehand. Write down a purpose sentence, select one or two facets of this main theme to connect with both heart and mind, and conclude by echoing the essence of your purpose sentence
• Even with only minutes to prepare, the same thing applies: Have the point you want to get across firmly in your mind, state your case, relive your example from memory, then loop back to your main idea
• If the announcement of your name is the only warning you get, our magic formula of Past, ‘How were things then?’, Present, ‘How are things now?’, and Future, ‘How will things be?’ will come to the rescue
• Be perceived as an ‘off the cuff’ natural. Keep pen and paper at the ready for relevant items of interest you can later refer to
• Score off the previous speaker or describe the scene in front of you. Talk about your listeners. Or talk about the occasion and the circumstances that brought you to the meeting.

Feel free to use this article in your newsletter etc. or forward it on to a friend. All I ask is that you acknowledge its source with the following byline:
Laurie Smale www.panicfreepublicspeaking.com.au