Today, I will delve into the hot topic of public speaking.
The workshop plan below will help your team confidently speak in public, organise their thoughts clearly, and deliver a message that truly resonates with their audience.
We’ll use simple techniques drawn from one of the most influential books on public speaking, The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie.
Whether leading a team meeting, presenting a new idea, or simply communicating with others, how you speak directly impacts your influence and success.
Strong public speaking skills aren’t just for stages and conferences—they’re essential tools for everyday professional life.
Many people struggle with public speaking because they let fear take over, lack a clear structure for their messages, or get lost in trying to sound 'perfect.'
Effective speaking is about being authentic, well-prepared, and knowing how to engage your listeners.
"Great communication isn’t a gift reserved for the few—it’s a skill anyone can develop with the right mindset and practice. When we master the art of speaking, we unlock the power to lead, inspire, and connect more deeply with those around us.”
This simple 3-step workshop is designed to help people feel more confident when speaking publicly.
The benefits are:
- It helps to build confidence in public speaking, even if it feels intimidating.
- It provides a simple structure to organise any speech for maximum impact.
- You’ll learn techniques for delivering your message with authenticity, clarity and engagement.
- You’ll get practical exercises you can use to continue improving your public speaking skills.
Here's how it works, step-by-step:
Mastering the Art of Public Speaking
Objective
By the end of the workshop, participants will have improved their confidence in speaking, learned how to structure a compelling speech, and practised techniques for delivering with clarity and engagement.
Step 1: Building Confidence through Practice (30 minutes)
Objective: Overcome the fear of public speaking by understanding and practising confidence-building techniques.
Activity: "The Impromptu Challenge"
- Each participant is asked to stand up and give a 2-minute impromptu speech on a simple topic (e.g., “My Favourite Meal” or “A Memorable Experience”)—suggested topics included in the free download.
- Encourage participants to focus on speaking from their own experiences, which is a key lesson from Carnegie about the importance of authenticity.
Discussion: After everyone has spoken, lead a reflection on how they felt before, during, and after their speeches. Emphasise Carnegie’s point that practice and familiarity reduce fear and increase confidence.
Key Insight: Carnegie emphasises desensitising yourself to fear through frequent practice and familiar topics.
Step 2: Structuring a Compelling Speech (45 minutes)
Objective: Teach participants how to organise their speeches effectively using Carnegie’s simple structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.
Mini-Lecture:
- Explain Carnegie’s recommended speech structure:
- Introduction: Capture attention with a strong opening.
- Body: Organise main points clearly and logically.
- Conclusion: End with a powerful, memorable message.
- Use examples from Carnegie’s speeches to illustrate the flow of ideas—included in the premium slides.
Activity: "Speech Blueprint"
- Participants are given 10 minutes to draft a 3-minute speech on a topic of their choice using this structure.
- Have a few volunteers present their blueprints in front of the group.
Key Insight: Carnegie stresses clear organisation and the power of beginning and ending with impact.
Step 3: Delivering with Impact (45 minutes)
Objective: Focus on techniques to enhance delivery, including voice modulation, body language, and audience engagement.
Activity: "Refining Delivery"
- Split participants into pairs. One will present their drafted speech from Step 2, while the other will provide feedback on delivery (eye contact, voice modulation, pacing, gestures).
- Encourage participants to integrate feedback and deliver the speech again, focusing on areas for improvement.
- As a group, share feedback using the "What went well?" and "What would make it even better?" approach.
Discuss the importance of engaging the audience, a principle Carnegie emphasised, and how to incorporate feedback to continually improve delivery.
Key Insight: Carnegie’s belief in natural, conversational delivery and the importance of audience connection.
Wrap-Up (15 minutes)
Debrief: Summarise the key lessons from each step, focusing on how confidence, structure, and delivery combine to create powerful speeches.
Takeaways: Share a quick guide of Carnegie’s core principles for public speaking that participants can continue to practice on their own—included in the free download.
Total Workshop Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Conclusion & Summary
This simple, action-oriented workshop draws directly from Dale Carnegie’s principles, helping participants gain immediate, practical public speaking experience.
By using this workshop, your team will never have to worry about freezing up or forgetting their points when speaking in front of a crowd.
Instead, it becomes a simple process of organising their thoughts, practising with intention, and connecting authentically with their audience to deliver a powerful message.
Well, that’s it for today. I hope you enjoyed it.
See you next week.