Communication is a vital key in this new century. It gives you an edge in the fast pace of the times. Public speaking definitely moves you quickly towards career advancement. No company promotes “the quiet guy in the corner !”
The diversity of opinions today, which are often controversial, has increased the need for public speaking. People need to voice out their views to function well in society. For some four thousand years, public speaking has been the key in building and keeping a democratic society and way of life. Its influences are vast and affect almost all aspects of life, such as the way we think or act. It is also used in court proceedings, in the boardroom, and even in the classroom.
Speaking in public can sometimes be a real challenge, if not a source of embarrassment; not only to normal people, but even to persons of high rank such as scholars, doctors, artists and entrepreneurs. They may have hesitations in facing an audience, often accompanied by sweaty palms, stuttering, and the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. These dilemmas often cause untold problems to the speaker (especially in self-expression) and unpleasant effects to the audience.
You probably found this website because you are up for a presentation very soon and you need valuable tips. Hopefully these articles would do just that.
Technical terms or jargon in public speaking are explained here, and in a humane way, to help you grow as a good public speaker.
There are scores of books and websites on public speaking. But few really give practical help. I’ll do what other books and websites have not done. I will give you easy-to-follow, practical and usable ideas that you can use right away. No fluff and puff.
Let me introduce myself …
My name is Herbert Lee. I’m a Canadian-born Chinese from Halifax, Nova Scotia. English is not my mother tongue and I had to struggle to learn and master English. I entered my first speech contest when I was fourteen and lost. Thirteen years later, I joined a Toastmasters club. I entered Toastmasters speech contests (against native English speakers!). Seven months after joining, I had won the club, area and district contests. I competed at the regional finals and was disqualified for going overtime by seven seconds. I moved to Macau (the Las Vegas of the East) and joined the Hong Kong Toastmasters club. I became a public speaking coach to CEO’s, politicians, PR executives and marketing big-wigs. I have written five books on public speaking and given many workshops to 1,000’s. What I am sharing in this website is based on over 40 years of being a professional speaker and presentation coach. Everything I teach has been audience tested and practical.
