Value Chain of Public Speaking TM

CATALYST: Part 2 - Skills Assessment

Instructions: Carefully read through the list of capabilities/skills and identify your current skill level for each. Continue to focus on your targeted presentation (identified in Part 1) as you answer each question. Allow up to 15 minutes to complete this section.

Once you have answered all the questions, click the “View Results” button. Your results will appear on the screen and will be e-mailed to the address you provided.

Adaptability

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Adapting to last-minute glitches (technology, logistics)
2. Considering what to do in advance if the rules change (less time, etc.)
3. Knowing when to go off script to help the audience see your vision

Know Your Audience

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Knowing the pain points of the situation

Establish Rapport

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Engaging listeners in conversation as they arrive

Clarify the Core Message

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Translating your vision into one, simple core message
2. Addressing listeners' current attitudes, feelings, values, or goals
3. Tweaking messages for different audiences

Organize Using a Storyboard/Outline

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Brainstorming how to talk about the vision
2. Figuring out how to describe your vision so that the audience can see it
3. Organizing content to disrupt/break through the status quo
4. Employing an organizational flow that creates tension and resolution
5. Staying focused on the what, not the how
6. Using emotional appeal to help the audience care about your idea
7. Using stories, analogies, and/or quotes to bring the message to life
8. Painting vivid mental images
9. Using language that unites and creates a bond between you and the audience
10. Creating an opening that shows the imbalance between what is and what could be
11. Creating a resounding conclusion that shows the benefits of your vision and inspires listeners to adopt a new way of feeling, thinking, or doing
12. Staying within time allotted

Develop Media to Maximize the Impact of the Message

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Determining what, if any, media would enhance the message
2. Embracing non-conventional media or props to inspire the audience or cause the audience to experience the unexpected
3. Ensuring everyone in the room can see or hear the media
4. Using disruptive/relevant images as needed

Express Yourself With Authenticity

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Knowing how my personal style connects to my vision
2. Including everyone with direct eye contact
3. Maintaining a passionate facial expression
4. Standing tall and open, with good posture
5. Using gestures to support the message
6. Moving strategically in the room to support the message and to connect with the audience
7. Avoiding verbal fillers like ah, um, ya know, so, like
8. Speaking with a passionate tone and using inclusive language
9. Keeping a good speaking pace (not talking too fast or slow)
10. Adjusting volume and using pauses to emphasize important points
11. Expressing passion
12. Speaking without physical barriers

Gain Buy-in Through Q&A Discussions

 InadequateAcceptableProficient
1. Setting audience expectations for a Q&A
2. Inviting questions and comments confidently
3. Allowing the audience time to formulate questions and comments
4. Handling silence and pauses with finesse
5. Identifying who will go 1st, 2nd, and 3rd when multiple hands are raised
6. Establishing a rhythm that enables inclusion; no one dominates
7. Responding to questions and comments without showing defensiveness
8. Keeping cool under fire
9. Ending Q&A by summarizing key areas of agreement and action
10. Listening and expressing empathy to different points of view
11. Facilitating, synthesizing, and summarizing discussion
12. Pulling in audience to seek common ground and acknowledge differences
Close Menu