Today’s post is by a man who has managed to achieve so much in the face of adversity. He is a successful public speaker and author. Greg little gives us his tips on how to speak to a crowd confidently, even with a speech impediment.
If you want to learn more about his journey, get his book:
Rise Above: Conquering Adversities, detailing how he survived a traumatic brain injury, overcame the fear of public speaking, and survived the death of a son.
At 18 years old I was involved in a motor vehicle accident, which resulted in three skull fractures, a traumatic brain injury, not being found for 6 hours, an 8-day coma, weeks of paralysis and having to relearn to walk and talk, which was compounded with a severe speech impediment I had long before the accident.
When discharged from the hospital, my height was 6 Ft and weight 110 lbs. My short-term memory was terrible and still is VERY bad. Coping with stress was/is an enormous task. Poor impulse control, which is caused by damage to the frontal lobe, will often destroy relationships because people can’t see that it’s a physical problem. It made no exception to me.
However, I was fortunate. I was able to earn three college degrees, get married and have children. Unfortunately, the marriage only lasted 15 years. I devoted much time to researching TBI. Even though I will always have problems with my short term memory, anxiety, depression and seizures; I have been able to present seminars/workshops on a national level.
Support groups helped immensely. Too, researching TBI and how to cope with anxiety/ depression proved beneficial.
All of what you read above was coupled with a TREMENDOUS fear of speaking to a group. I grew up with a SEVERE speech impediment. Giving a book report was a traumatic experience!
That all changed years later. Weekly appointments for one year with a very competent speech pathologist changed my world. Too, there are other things I did to overcome: My fear of speaking to a group.
The secret of public speaking relieved.
First, and I learned this from the late Dr. Don Kirkley, who taught public speaking at the Pentagon, the key to effective speaking is….hesitation. Pause. No more than 6 words at a time without a pause. Even less….than six… will work…nicely.
That will give the audience an opportunity to process what you’ve said and will convey confidence. ALL great speakers pause. Regardless if you liked their politics….JFK, Clinton, Obama, Paul Harvey, all great speakers…pause.
Also, it means you are speaking less, which can mean less stress for you. If you use hesitation correctly, your audience will cling to every word.
To prevent me from speaking too fast, and sounding nervous, I learned to emphasize the last sound of each word I speak. Was taught to use enough voice. MANY actors, who stutter, use(d) a full voice to overcome their stutter. That includes James Earl Jones, John Wayne and a host of others.
I always do something to make my audience laugh at the first of my programs, it takes away some of my jitters. Making an audience laugh creates a bond. Since I overcame this fear, speaking to a group is a rush. It’s allowed me to conduct seminars/ workshops on a national level. So….pause…last sound….use a full voice.
As mentioned earlier, my marriage lasted 15 years. During our fifth year, our second son was born. He was born with no problems. At 3.5 months he was diagnosed with cataracts. On his first birthday, he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and enlarged liver. He lived six more months and died in my wife’s arms. The death of a child can play havoc on a marriage. I joined a support group, The Compassionate Friends (TCF), which I continue to attend. Hearing from others, who have walked my path, helped more than words can express.
I was able to publish a book, Rise Above: Conquering Adversities, detailing how I survived a traumatic brain injury, overcame the fear of public speaking, and survived the death of a son.
Other articles you may like:
- Living uninhibited thanks to brain injury, my realisation
- Guest post: Top tips for dating after receiving a traumatic brain injury
- Brain injury and the debilitating impact of social isolation
- Traumatic Brain Injury: understanding the trauma by Dr Rob Tennant
- Guest post: Hope Clark on “My new normal” following her brain injury.
4 replies on “Guest Post: Brain injury survivor reveals the secret to public speaking”
Thanks so much! I have aphasia and am in a toastmasters group designed for people with aphasia. It’s so hard every week and I get so nervous. I will try your strategy of only say 6 words or less and pause….
Let us know how you get on Cheryl ❤️
Great article thank you for sharing. I am a TBI survivor and looking to break into the speaking world. I have a bad habit of speaking quickly and will use the 6-word method to slow me down…..Man!
Thanks for your insight! Cheers! @macqueendan
That’s great news Daniel! I’m sure your segments will help so many people. I hope Greg’s tip’s help you get there