DISCURSOS - Rotary International

Public Speaking
Mark Kriebel
RI Training Leader and Rotary Public Image Coordinator
The International Assembly brings together many of the best speakers in the Rotary world.
We’ve been informed, motivated, and inspired this week, and it is our duty as Rotary leaders to
return to our districts and inform, motivate, and inspire our Rotarians. We have heard some great
speeches this week, don’t you agree?
I have been asked to speak today about public speaking. Research has repeatedly shown that
the fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of heights, fear of death, and fear of
snakes. One of the most important tasks of district governors is public speaking. You’ll be addressing
all of your clubs — motivating, praising, and creating connections with each one.
Because you’re the officer of Rotary International in your district, furthering the Object of Rotary
through public relations efforts with the media and a wide variety of community groups is also
one of your primary responsibilities. All of these opportunities should be enjoyable, not a
struggle. You need to effectively communicate your message, and I’d like to offer a few tips to
help you.
It’s critical to your success when speaking in public to know a number of things in advance, including
the size and makeup of your audience, the audiovisuals, and your allotted time. Often you
can’t control the audience size or the venue, but you can make sure your message is delivered in
the time given. Make every word count, and that means preparing in advance, including rehearsal.
I suggest brevity, as fewer words are usually more memorable. Remember the phrases “The
capacity of the mind to absorb is limited to what the seat can endure”; “The simpler, the better”;
and “Everyone has a photographic memory — some people just don’t have any film!”
As a college student, I had the opportunity to hone my speaking and storytelling skills while
studying television and radio broadcasting at Ithaca College in New York. The lessons I learned
40 years ago still apply today. One of my professors in a writing class told me, “Coming up with
ideas is the easiest thing on earth. Putting them down is the hardest. You have to work to make
a speech or story great. It doesn’t just happen. And let your personality come through: Being like
everybody is the same as being nobody.” This professor was one of the greatest storytellers of
the modern era and taught college students while crafting science fiction stories that were really
about the need for social justice. He was Rod Serling, creator of the television series The Twilight
Zone. He often mentioned Rotary in his stories.
I still remember his insistence on practice, and on calling on friends and colleagues to evaluate
one’s performance. Public speaking is performing, and rehearsal with a mentor or friend who
can give an honest evaluation and make suggestions for improvement is invaluable. Great public
speakers work hard to sound spontaneous.
Three simple tips will help you when you are called on to address a group, whether presenting
a Paul Harris Fellowship at a club, giving the keynote address at a large community function, or
making your official club visit: Be enthusiastic, be sincere, and tell a story.
Enthusiasm for your subject is infectious. When listeners experience your passion through your
voice and body language, they will give you feedback. Are they giving you their full attention with
eye contact, or are they texting and emailing? It’s up to you to pay attention to your audience so
you’ll know whether they are engaged in your message. If they’re not, you can modify your presentation.
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