The following is a summary of Session 21 of my podcast, The Engineering Career Coach (TECC) Podcast with Anthony Fasano, PE. I will summarize the main points in this post here; however, you can also listen to the show through the player below or by subscribing on iTunes. I offer a career-changing tip at the end of each podcast session.
In this session of the TECC Podcast, I interview Christina Canters, an architect turned communications and speaking coach for technical professionals.
During the session, Christina offers the following thoughts and strategies on how technical professionals can become more confident and creative communicators:
- Christina gives several strategies for improving your confidence as a speaker or presenter, including practicing what you are going to present beforehand several times, knowing your content, and trusting yourself (this is easier if you know your content).
- If you do not know the answer to a question from someone in the audience at your presentation, be honest with them, but tell them you will try to find the answer and get back to them.
- It’s best to script only the introduction and closing of your presentation and then use an outline for the main body, so as to seem natural and not too rehearsed. This allows you to have a really strong opening. Do not try to memorize your entire presentation; it will stunt your creativity. Scripting the beginning will also give you confidence right from the start of the speech.
- Do something different in your presentations. Be creative—this will allow you to stand out from the crowd. For example, start with a video. Think about what people are used to and make it different. As an engineering example, if you are going to a job interview, instead of just showing up with a resume, show up with your portfolio, including some designs that you have prepared and/or a plan for exactly how you will help the prospective employer.
- If you have to present technical information to nontechnical people, use stories and examples to keep them engaged. Connect with the audience on an emotional level. Discuss the benefits that the technical project will provide to them instead of simply talking about the technical details. Focus on the WHY instead of the WHAT.
- In preparation for a presentation, Christina recommends doing the following: approximately two weeks before the presentation, think about what your audience’s number-one takeaway from the presentation will be—what action will they take?; visit the location where you will be giving the presentation ahead of time, which will boost your confidence; a day or two before the presentation, be sure that you practice and TIME your presentation at least three times to alleviate nervousness; practice in front of others if possible; on the day of the presentation, practice your power posing for two minutes, which will help you feel more confident and powerful; and practice conversing before your presentation to warm up your voice—if you have no one to speak to, then make a phone call before your presentation.
Please leave a comment below with any strategies you have successfully used to improve your communication skills as an engineer.
This is a guest post by Anthony Fasano, PE, author of Engineer Your Own Success. Anthony found success as an engineer at a very early age and now writes and podcasts to help other engineers do the same. Visit Anthony’s website at EngineeringCareerCoach.com for free engineering career advice and other resources.