What was your best or worst public speaking experience?
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Whether you’re a public speaking pro or a sometimes-nervous Nellie, most people at some point in their lives have had to address a crowd of people—albeit small or large.
In the latest Asked and Answered podcast, Gerard Gregoire of Allstate breaks down some do’s and don’ts for giving an impactful speech that resonates with an audience.
It’s important to know what you want to say forward and backward—much like you would a case file before trial, Gregoire says. Also, think about when you want to pause, make eye contact and consider the speed at which you’re speaking.
But we all have our ups and downs when speaking to an audience, and not every speech goes according to plan.
This week, we’d like to ask: What was your best or worst public speaking experience? Was it in front of a large group of people or, perhaps, during a trial? How do you prepare to give a speech?
Answer in the comments on our social media channels via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Check out last week’s question: Did you do a clinic in law school? Was it a valuable experience?
And view some of last week’s answers from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Featured answer:
Posted by Jennifer Douglas on LinkedIn:
“I participated in a post-conviction justice clinic my third year. It was definitely a valuable experience. It taught me that because different people take in information in different ways, I needed to be prepared to adjust my communication style accordingly. I also learned the importance of managing expectations, both mine and other people’s. I learned how to recover from painful disappointment. I learned to always remember that everything isn’t about me—however disappointing an outcome is for a lawyer, it is worse for the client. I learned that however logical I might think my arguments are, I need to focus on the decision-maker’s way of thinking in delivering my arguments. I strengthened my ability to empathize with other people without necessarily agreeing with their perspective or actions. Clinics are definitely an important part of attending law school.”
Do you have an idea for a future Question of the Week? If so, contact us.
