How to Speak With Authority

You need not be an expert on anything to speak with authority. You need to focus on the information you are communicating and use these simple tips if you want to be taken more seriously.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Great attitude
• Friendly Demeanor
• A Strong Voice

1. Vocalization Counts - Make sure that the volume of your voice reaches your audience. Also, your tone and pitch should be deep and strong. If you are a woman with a high voice, practice speaking in a lower pitched, calm voice without lowering the volume.
2. Use Technology - If you can use a microphone and public address system for an audience of ten or more people, use it. Also, if you are forced to speak in a location with noise, an amplification device is almost mandatory, if you want to be heard.
3. Know Your Material - Study your topic, speech or notes so that you feel comfortable talking about your subject matter. Learn how to defer questions effectively. If you cannot find the answer to a question right away, get back to the audience with a follow-up communication.
4. Dress Professionally - Dress in business attire if you expect to be speaking to a group. Being well dressed enhances your image and impresses people much more than if you were to dress casually. Formal attire would be appropriate only if dictated by the occasion.
5. Posture and Projection - You need not be six feet tall to speak with authority. You do, however, need to stand up straight, project your voice, enunciate your words and remain calm. Carrying yourself with dignity and grace is a practiced art form. Take deep breaths between your sentences and imagine that you are speaking to the person at the farthest edge of the room. Remember to stand tall and place your feet firmly on the floor. Don’t fidget, touch your face or lick your lips too often.
6. Audience Inclusion - Some confident speakers ask the audience questions to amuse them or include them in the talk. It is always important to establish eye contact with several people in the group as you talk. If you can get people to nod their heads in agreement as you speak, this is as good as positive feedback. This means you are doing it right.
7. Practice Works - During a public speaking class I took several years ago, I had the opportunity to be heckled while practicing giving a talk to employees. It was very helpful to have to handle a distraction while attempting to communicate important information to people. You can ask friends to listen to you speak, heckle you or ask you questions to help ready you for the real thing.
8. Mistakes Happen - So what if the podium falls over or your index cards get blown out the window by a sudden wind. Simply move on. Have back up notes in your pocket if possible, in case the unexpected happens. And if you don’t know the answer to a question that come up, inform the audience that you will find out and communicate it to them as soon as possible. If it is a public setting, have people leave their email addresses if they want more detail. Follow through on any promises you make to the group.

Tips & Warnings

• Public speaking is nothing to be afraid of, once you’ve tried it a time or two. Practice these points and you will learn to speak with authority.