The Requisite Skill and Ability of Real-time Presentations:

The Requisite Skill and Ability of Real-time Presentations: Using the Physics of Language to Advantage in Organizational Contexts Wayne Smith, Ph.D. Department of Management CSU Northridge

Notes to COBAE Students • My observation is that most COBAE students are good public speakers • However, team members can use this PowerPoint in two (similar) ways: • to help turn good skills into great skills • By means of individual practice and self-improvement • to help the one or two members of the team with weaker skills and abilities improve • By way of a structure to provide constructive feedback • This PPT complements the existing (and detailed) oral presentation scoring guide for Gateway

Aspects of Presentation Skills • VOICE • Breathing, Centering, Projection • BODY • Relaxation, Physical tension, Eye-contact, Non-verbal communication • EXPRESSION • Concentration, Focus, Point-of-view, Pacing

Successful Characteristics • VOICE • Vocal projection is strong; posture supports breath; feet are grounded and body centered, allowing deep breathing to power voice; volume is sufficiently amplified and sustained at consistent level; articulation is clear; speaker is easily heard and understood • BODY • Speaker is physically calm and appears relaxed; speaker makes direct eye contact; physical presence projects animation and energy; gestures and non-verbal communication enhance narrative • PROJECTION • Concentration is sustained throughout; the speaker is focused and clear about what she or he wants to say; there is a point-of-view and speaker appears to have emotional/intellectual connection to her or his narrative

Higher-order Abilities (1/2) • Delivery/Oral • How strong are the oral components of the presentation? • Speaker is fluent and poised; uses language comfortably and appropriately; speaks at an effective rate and volume; few fillers • Delivery/Non-verbal • How strong are the non-verbal components of the presentation? • Speaker uses gestures comfortably in line with his/her own style; eye contact is appropriate for audience; use of space appropriate for the situation

Higher-order Abilities (2/2) • Visual Aids • Do the visual aids reinforce the message and add to the effectiveness of the presentation? • Appropriate visual aids are used; visual aids serve as a complement to the speaker and the message to be delivered; designed effectively; speaker uses visual aid easily • Questions and Answers • Has the speaker handled the Q&A portion of the presentation competently? • Speaker answers questions knowledgeably, thoroughly, and concisely; process is handled smoothly

Politeness • Power Relationships and Social Distance • honorifics • Levels of Impoliteness • Face-Threatening Acts (FTAs) • Tact • Speaker Variables • Sex, Age, Education, Experience, Culture, etc. • The “Sensitive Line”

Some non-verbal principles +

But I don’t actually thinkit works this way… (see Speech-Act Theory)

Sources (excerpted) • Management Communication for Undergraduates (Spring, 2005) • M.I.T. OpenCourseWare • http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-279-management-communication-for-undergraduates-spring-2005/ • Oral Evaluation Rubric • http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-279-management-communication-for-undergraduates-spring-2005/study-materials/oralpresrubrics.pdf • McLean, S. (2010), Business Communication for Success. Fully online and accessible at [http://www.flatworldknowledge.com] • Video Oral Communication Assessment Tool • Bernard Schwartz Communication Institute, Baruch College (The City University of New York) • http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/vocat/

The Requisite Skill and Ability of Real-time Presentations: