Presentation Skills: The 3 A's of Public Speaking

Learning Objectives & Warm-up

Learning Objectives

Develop Authenticity

Learn to show up with a giving attitude and speak from your authentic self

Build Situational Awareness

Master the ability to read your audience and adapt in real-time

Embrace Audacity

Overcome fear and deliver bold, story-driven presentations that inspire

Warm-up Discussion

Speaking Transformation

From fear to confidence

Question 1: When you present, do you focus more on giving value or getting something from the audience?

Question 2: Describe a time when you had to adapt your presentation style due to unexpected circumstances.

Question 3: What fears hold you back from being more bold and authentic in your presentations?

Video Content & Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Show up to give, not to take - audiences can feel your true intentions

Know yourself before seeking advice - authenticity requires self-awareness

Situational awareness allows you to adapt when things don't go as planned

Be fluid and malleable - ready to rock with any situation

Audacity is essential - you cannot half-step into your presentation

85% of top TED Talks are story-centric - stories paint pictures in minds

Video Notes

Givers vs. takers: audiences can instantly tell the difference (02:30)
TEDx preparation story: 6-6 tie on PowerPoint decision (08:45)
"I didn't ask myself" - the importance of self-knowledge (11:20)
Sioux Falls open bar story - situational awareness in action (14:15)
"Are you sure?" story that broke the ice with the audience (16:30)
Top TED Talks: 85% are story-centric for maximum impact (22:45)
"Never tell a story without making a point" principle (24:10)

Authenticity

Show up with the intention to give, not take. Audiences can instantly sense whether you're there to serve them or serve yourself. Authenticity starts with knowing yourself and your true motivations.

Awareness

Develop situational awareness to read your audience and adapt in real-time. Be fluid and malleable, ready to adjust when things don't go according to plan. The ability to pivot is crucial.

Audacity

You cannot half-step into your presentation. Embrace boldness and tell stories that paint pictures in people's minds. 85% of top TED Talks are story-centric for a reason.

Giver vs. Taker Mindset

Your audience can instantly feel your true intentions. The fundamental difference between effective and ineffective speakers:

🎁 Givers

Focus on audience value
Share knowledge generously
Ask: "How can I help?"
Build genuine connections
Create lasting impact

📥 Takers

Focus on personal gain
Withhold valuable insights
Ask: "What can I get?"
Manipulate for results
Leave audiences cold

The Power of Story-Centric Presentations

85% of top TED Talks are story-centric

Why stories work: Stories paint pictures in people's minds, making abstract concepts concrete and memorable. But remember: never tell a story without making a point.

Technical Failures

When technology fails, acknowledge it immediately and adapt your approach. Use humor if appropriate.

Audience Energy

Read the room's energy levels and adjust your delivery, pacing, and interaction style accordingly.

Time Constraints

Be prepared to compress or expand your content based on actual time available versus planned time.

Unexpected Questions

Stay composed and redirect challenging questions back to your key messages when possible.

Embracing Audacity in Speaking

No Half-Stepping: Commit fully to your presentation. Hesitation and uncertainty are immediately apparent to audiences and undermine your credibility.

Bold Story Choices: Select stories that are vivid, relevant, and emotionally engaging. Bland anecdotes fail to create the mental pictures that drive impact.

Purpose-Driven Content: Every story, every slide, every word should serve your main message. Audacity means cutting what doesn't serve your purpose.

Overcome Fear: Fear of judgment, failure, or criticism keeps you from reaching your full potential. Audacity means speaking despite the fear.

Essential Vocabulary

Key terms for mastering the 3 A's (9 words)

Authenticity

/ˌɔː.θenˈtɪs.ə.ti/

The quality of being genuine and true to oneself

Example: Authenticity means showing up with the intention to give value, not take from your audience.

Awareness

/əˈwer.nəs/

Knowledge and understanding of a situation or subject

Example: Situational awareness allows you to adapt when presentations don't go as planned.

Audacity

/ɔːˈdæs.ə.ti/

Boldness and confidence in behavior or style

Example: Audacity means committing fully to your presentation without half-stepping.

Malleable

/ˈmæl.i.ə.bəl/

Easily influenced or adaptable to changing circumstances

Example: Be malleable and ready to adapt when situations change during presentations.

Intentionality

/ɪnˌten.ʃəˈnæl.ə.ti/

The quality of being deliberate and purposeful

Example: Your intentionality as a giver rather than taker comes through in every interaction.

Rapport

/ræˈpɔːr/

A close and harmonious relationship with mutual understanding

Example: Building rapport with your audience requires authentic connection and awareness.

Vulnerable

/ˈvʌl.nər.ə.bəl/

Open to emotional or physical harm; showing genuine emotion

Example: Being appropriately vulnerable in stories creates deeper audience connection.

Compelling

/kəmˈpel.ɪŋ/

Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way

Example: Compelling stories paint vivid pictures in your audience's minds.

Resilience

/rɪˈzɪl.jəns/

The ability to recover quickly from difficulties

Example: Resilience helps you bounce back from presentation mistakes with confidence.

Grammar & Phrases

Authenticity Language

Expressing Genuine Intent

"I'm here to [share/give/offer] [value/insights/knowledge] that [benefit/help/serve] you."

Use these structures to communicate your genuine intention to serve and add value for your audience.

I'm here to share insights that can genuinely help you.

I'm here to share insights that can genuinely help you transform your approach to this challenge.

My goal is to give you practical tools you can use immediately.

My goal is to give you practical tools you can use immediately to see real results in your work.

I want to be completely honest with you about...

I want to be completely honest with you about the challenges we've faced and what we've learned.

Let me share what I've learned from my mistakes.

Let me share what I've learned from my mistakes so you can avoid making the same ones.

I believe deeply in the value of...

I believe deeply in the value of authentic connection and genuine service to others.

This comes from my genuine experience with...

This comes from my genuine experience with overcoming the exact challenges you're facing today.

Awareness and Adaptation Language

Reading and Responding to Situations

"I notice that [observation]. Let's [adjust/adapt/pivot] to [solution/approach]."

Use these phrases to demonstrate situational awareness and your ability to adapt in real-time.

I notice the energy in the room has shifted.

I notice the energy in the room has shifted, so let's try a different approach to re-engage.

Let's adapt our approach based on what I'm seeing.

Let's adapt our approach based on what I'm seeing - you need more concrete examples right now.

I can see this isn't landing as expected.

I can see this isn't landing as expected, so let me try explaining it differently.

Reading your expressions, I think we should pivot to...

Reading your expressions, I think we should pivot to more practical applications you can implement.

I'm sensing some resistance to this idea.

I'm sensing some resistance to this idea, so let's explore your concerns and address them directly.

Let's be fluid and adjust as we go.

Let's be fluid and adjust as we go based on what serves you best in this moment.

Speaking Practice

Practice Activities

Authentic Story Challenge

Your Challenge

Tell a personal story that demonstrates authentic vulnerability while making a clear point. Focus on giving value rather than impressing your audience.

Story structure:

"Let me share what I learned from my mistakes..."

"I want to be completely honest with you about..."

"This comes from my genuine experience with..."

"My goal is to give you practical tools..."

Share authentically with the intention to give value

Situational Awareness Practice

Your Challenge

Practice reading and adapting to different audience scenarios. Demonstrate your ability to notice changes and pivot your approach accordingly.

Adaptation scenarios:

Distracted audience → "I notice the energy has shifted..."

Confused faces → "I can see this isn't landing..."

Resistance → "I'm sensing some resistance..."

Time pressure → "Let's adapt our approach..."

Show awareness and adaptability in your responses

Knowledge Assessment

Test Your Understanding

Question 1

What is the first A in the 3 A's of Public Speaking?

Question 2

According to the speaker, what should you do FIRST before seeking advice about presentations?

Question 3

What percentage of top TED Talks are story-centric?

Question 4

In the Sioux Falls story, what helped the speaker connect with his audience?

Question 5

What is the key difference between "givers" and "takers" in presentations?

Question 6

Why are stories so powerful in presentations?

Question 7

Complete this principle: "Never tell a story without making a point, but never..."

🎉

Quiz Complete!

You've completed the 3 A's of Public Speaking assessment