On Public Speaking, On CAS Cohort 27

Years ago I heard that we should shift from being "T-shaped talent" to "Π-shaped talent." Roughly speaking, T-shaped talent needs both breadth and depth, while Π-shaped talent needs not just breadth and depth but several depths (and comb-shaped talent is even more impressive! But life is finite.)

— Of all the general-purpose skills, public speaking is one of the most rewarding. Whether you're a technologist, a thinker, a craftsperson or a manager, speaking is an amplifier and a lever: it lets large numbers of people recognize your abilities in the shortest possible time, which brings more opportunities. And besides, standing on a stage is enjoyable in itself.

So I went to CAS to learn public speaking, and came away with lots of friendship and kindness, plus guidance from several teachers. I'm grateful to everyone I met there.

Below are some of the things I took away from the course — many are the teachers' golden lines plus my own reflections. For the record:

The Way of speaking

Every speech is a gift.

• Think about what you want to give your audience. A blessing? An insight? A principle? Going in with the mindset of "giving a gift," it's harder to get caught up in ego.

Once you understand how important the "field" is for anyone who communicates and expresses, you'll feel deep reverence for everything and every detail of a speech.

• The "field" is the environment (lighting, space, music, backdrop), and also the situation (the audience's emotions, the atmosphere in the room)

• The "field" can be open/closed, cold/hot, output/inspiration — collectively, the more abstract yin and yang.

A good speech stirs emotions and drives action.

The techniques of speaking

You can open with a question to grab the audience's attention and make them feel involved. Ask about something everyone cares about.

- How many friends here are from Beijing? How many of you have children? Guess what the world's average wealth per person is? Old people, children and so on are things everyone cares about.2. Check-in activity: have everyone describe how they felt yesterday and how they feel right now, then demonstrate a gesture and have everyone do it together.    - Feeling examples: I slept really well yesterday / this morning I saw two squirrels fighting

- Gesture examples: a stretch / cheering yourself on3. Leave an impression through stories — telling a story means opening up, breaking down, and moving people.    People naturally resist having things forced on them; a master speaker is always a master storyteller.    Why tell stories

• They're visual

• They're more vivid

• They hold attention better

What kind of story leaves an impression?

• One that's visual

• Fake stories: you think you've told a story, but actually you've stated an opinion.

  • Opinion: my network is amazing

  • Story: taking 5 tycoons out for lamb skewers

The winners are usually the stories that grip your soul. The teller makes it look effortless; the listener is blown away.

4. Show it through performance: in front of the audience, act out the stark contrast between "telling a story and stating an opinion directly."

5. Use reversals well: first set up a point; even if everyone knows a twist is coming, as long as the lines are fun, it's great!6. Stories > principles: if you can tell a story, don't lecture.

No child at bedtime has ever said, "Mommy, I'm going to sleep, but I want to hear one more principle." 😂

7. Everyone's heart is built for gossip

• "Principal, let me talk to you about public speaking technique" — "Teacher Chang, Lai Xing lately..."

• Sometimes a product launch is just a giant gossip session

8. Always pack a formal outfit when you travel: never miss a chance to host or speak.

9. Life of Pi > debate opponents - Once you've heard someone's story, it's easier to forgive them. Because knowing their story means knowing what they've been through - If you don't know another's pain, don't urge them to be kind.

   • When people hear opinions, someone always wants to rebut them; stating opinions is training up debate opponents

10. The all-purpose story structure

    • Most of the time you can follow this structure

    • Men tend to linger too long on "a calm, sunny day" — spending ages setting up the background - Women tend to linger too long on "a bolt from the blue" — like Xianglin's Wife

    • We should linger longest on "primordial power" - A good speech illuminates; it doesn't show off. Every speech is a gift, and the gift is hidden in the "primordial power."

11. The advanced method: "benchmarking," commonly known as "copy and surpass" — learn from good role models.

12. Learn to laugh at yourself13. Everyone should have their own "golden story" and "all-purpose story"

    • Once dug out, these stories can be told a hundred times

    • In your past experiences and in your values, there are stories worth digging out and telling

13. When describing the people in a story, give each one a code name; it's easier to describe them, otherwise the audience gets confused.

14. Don't use verbal tics like "and then" — this takes training, day after day.

My review1. Be clear about the core idea - For every speech, think clearly about what the core idea is, what gift you're giving, and to whom.

- Make the core point clear; with a normal order and structure, it won't turn out too badly

2. The speaker's role: lead or supporting?

   • If you're supporting, don't steal the scene.

   • If you're the lead, prepare thoroughly in advance.

3. Structure

Montage can be used, but use it sparingly! (I blew it this time~) If you open with a montage, presenting a single scene is enough.

4. No spoilers — don't give a spoiler speech!

   • If you're telling a story, keep the audience from guessing the ending at the start

   • If the story you tell has nothing to do with the theme, the audience will be preoccupied by the emotion or opinion the story delivers, which works against the message the speaker wants to convey

   • Save the story's climax for later

   • Plant foreshadowing early on

   • The story should have ups and downs: set up reversals and contrasts

5. The most important thing: be sincere - A way to come across as sincere: even when telling someone else's story, put yourself into it. Otherwise it sounds a lot like documentary narration. - Make the story relate to yourself, or to the audience.6. On stage presence - Hold the microphone a bit away; don't block your face. - Use open, expansive body language; hold a good gesture for 2 seconds (so the photographer can catch it!)

Finally, I don't think "the Way" and "technique" rank above or below each other.

Many people chase "the Way" first, always trying to grasp the mysterious "Way" before anything else. As if after enlightenment you could soar to the sky in one leap. But oh, there's no secret martial arts manual that can turn one day's work into ten years of skill.

When I play golf, there are always hot streaks when every swing is beautiful, and there are always times when nothing goes right — it's almost mystical. Once, my dad asked: "Do you know why your game is so inconsistent?" "Why?"

"Because you're not a professional."

Yes — without consistent output on every swing, what's the point of talking about leveling up? Only by "keeping to the orthodox" can you "produce the extraordinary"; only solidity at the level of "technique" can bring insight and oneness at the level of "the Way."

So my method is to pursue 1% progress each time and prepare myself fully. Not too much inner drama — let the insights and the feelings flow naturally.

One last thing:

charge ahead with abandon, enjoy the moment, and remember: Present is a present!