The skill of listening is integral to speaking, it’s what makes a conversation.

I am sitting at my desk, glancing out of the window to the pretty pink, late flowering hollyhocks, petals open to furry, pollen-covered bees, going over discussions that happened during my recent creative writing course. A key point has popped into my mind. That key point is thinking about the other person. The one who is listening to me. The person I am also listening to. I am thinking about the person who listens to me and to whom I listen and that is a good starting point for preparing to engage.

Instead of ploughing into content, formatting a document on my computer and arranging my presentation as I usually do, I am pausing to think. What does my listener want to hear?

My experience tells me that during conferences or presentations, there is usually a point or two (sometimes more) that is made by the speaker that really sings out and makes sense. This has helped me to find the confidence to offer my expertise, in the belief that my content will also find resonance with my audience and may be useful to them.

Before I walk up on stage or to the front of a room to make my presentation in person, I take time to chat with some of the people attending. I ask what they are hoping to take away from the day, what particular barriers they have or what motivates them to make a speech themselves.

Listening to the answers and therefore having a better understanding of the needs of my audience, provides me with valuable information and helps me to connect with them. I can use my prepared presentation, but importantly, I can connect with delegates by also referring to relevant and specific needs that I’ve heard about, while chatting informally in the minutes before I am on stage, with cups of teas and coffees in hand – and maybe the odd wedge of Scottish shortbread balanced precariously in the saucer.

When I am speaking at the podium I am offering information about how the voice works, how to warm up the voice and techniques of clear articulation. However, my listeners have unique experiences themselves, in addition to the boundaries of my presentation and by listening to them prior to the event, I hear their needs and can refer to how these needs can be met. It may be to do with vocal tone. Or it may be to do with posture. Or it may be to do with anxiety about speaking too quickly.

I have found in the past that it has been easier to focus on my needs as the speaker. I have wanted to have all my material thoroughly prepared ahead of schedule. I have focussed on my nerves, my anxieties and my body language.

The reflection I have made this morning is refreshing to me, reminding myself not only to concentrate on what I want to say – and the best way to communicate that information – but also to have my listener front and centre of my speech.

Imagination is a great gift to help create a good presentation. As I am preparing to speak, I am imagining one person in particular, one listener, YOU – who have a set of specific needs, you want to learn how to improve your speaking skills.

I am offering you, my listener, confidence. Confidence in your own voice and presentation skills, coupled with listening to and absorbing your listeners’ questions and answering them with clarity, confidence and impact.

Like the bees and the hollyhocks, I’m noticing that speaking and listening are symbiotic relationships.

For more information and a free consultation about any aspect of speech making, presentations and vocal skills, please get in touch. I am listening.