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| | The Public Speaking - The Essential Skill Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | Views: 1176 | | Jan 23, 2007 6:00 pm | | Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Sharif Khan | | Dear Fellow Speakers,
Some of you may recall my posting a message about having a soft-spoken voice asking for advice on how I could change that to a louder, roaring voice.
Well, after some further reflection, I'm thinking there's nothing wrong with being soft-spoken. That it's just a speaking style and not a weakness.
Take a look at Osama Bin Laden, one of the most effective speakers in the 21st Century. He's very soft-spoken and sometimes speaks in a whisper like he's reciting a lullaby. I mean, he's the exact opposite of Hitler's bombastic speaking style and still able to motivate millions of people.
More recently, I heard businessman Bill Bartmann (a self-made billionaire) speak. He too was what I would call having a modest, soft-spoken voice. And while his speech wasn't exactly riveting, it served its purpose well and I found it to be very inspirational and moving.
Any thoughts, comments from the group?
P.S. While I don't think Bin Laden will be delivering a keynote speech anytime soon, billionaire Bill Bartmann is concluding his speaking tour across Canada and the US. If you're interested in coming out to hear his speaking style, I've posted a link on my blog.
To greater speaking success in 007!
Sharif Khan
www.sharifkhan.blogspot.com
Author of Canadian Bestseller, The Hero Soul
An inspirational book on awakening the Hero within and developing your leadership potential
Private Reply to Sharif Khan | | Jan 23, 2007 6:47 pm | | re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Deepak Morris | | If you're still thinking style and not substance, you're so way off the mark, it doesn't matter what anyone says.
Bin Laden will be listened to by those who want to listen because he's Bin Laden.
I don't see Bin Laden going up against any good speaker. He simply pre-empted the whole "good speaker" issue by being Bin Laden. Have you heard any tapes of Osho's discourses? His accent is so bad, his pronunciation so atrocious, it's a wonder he amassed 99 Rolls Royces, to say the least.
Sure, it's possible to speak softly and win. That takes fanatics as followers or a huge bank account, or both.
If you're addressing a normal audience, my take is you should be heard and come across as confident. Let's not mistake the exceptions for the rule. For every soft-spoken Bin Laden, there are at least a few thousand soft-spoken Abduls who are never heard.
If you have what Bin Laden offers his followers, or what Osho offered his followers, by all means, ignore every guideline on public speaking, banking, investment, anything that normal people do to get ahead in life.
DeepakPrivate Reply to Deepak Morris | | Jan 23, 2007 7:30 pm | | re: re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Mitch Mitchell | | Good points, Deepak.
Bin Laden is talking, basically, one on one on tape; he's not talking to tens, or hundreds, or thousands at a time. It's easy to be soft spoken in a situation like that.
I remember going to one seminar where the speaker's voice could barely be heard, even with a microphone. She said she knew she had a soft voice, but it seemed to help people concentrate on what she was saying. I opened my newspaper and started working on the crossword puzzle, because, if I have to struggle to listen to something, I'd rather not be bothered.
Mitch Mitchell
T. T. Mitchell Consulting, Inc.
http://www.ttmitchellconsulting.com
http://www.servicesandstuff.com
http://www.seoxcellence.com
http://www.ttmitchellconsulting.com/Mitchblog
Changing Attitudes and Perceptions for Unlimited Growth
Private Reply to Mitch Mitchell | | Jan 23, 2007 10:09 pm | | re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Patrick McManus | | If you are doing "public speaking" the key is not LOUDNESS per se but projection, projecting your voice to the farthest listener.
As for Bin Laden I agree that he is speaking to small groups &/or a tape recorder most of the time. The rest of the time he is preaching and that is a different set of skills.
Patrick McManus, The Man of Many Hats Private Reply to Patrick McManus | | Jan 24, 2007 3:37 am | | re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # |
Jon Waters | | Interesting topic, to say the least!!!
Jon Waters
Independent Marketing Executive
Freelife International
http://waters.freelife.com
Private Reply to Jon Waters | | Jan 24, 2007 5:06 am | | re: re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Arun Chitlangia | | Its best to be audible. Some times, becuase your content is great or you hold an important position, people pay attention. But if the same speaker would have been louder, may the that the impact would have been still greater.
As of speaking soft as part of your voice modulation, its just GREAT. Whispher, at times, makes the audience attentive, wakes up few who are about to fall asleep and is in general a attention catcher provided you use it intelligently.Private Reply to Arun Chitlangia | | Jan 27, 2007 7:17 pm | | re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # |
Sharif Khan | | Thanks again for all your suggestions and insights.
It seems we have varying opinions on what makes an "effective" speaker. It would be interesting to hear what other group members think makes an effective speaker.
Obviously one has to be audible and use voice modulation and all the bag of tricks available to a speaker, but it begs the question, what makes an effective speaker?
Sharif Khan
www.sharifkhan.blogspot.com
Author of Canadian Bestseller, The Hero Soul
An inspirational book on awakening the Hero within and developing your leadership potential
Private Reply to Sharif Khan | | Jan 27, 2007 9:24 pm | | re: re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # |
Patrick McManus | | A good strong message (useful or neccissary to that audience), presented well using vocal skills, visual reinforcement, (gestures and or visual props message board etc) and an appropriate vocabularythat your audience will respond to appropriatly and appreciate
Patrick McManus The Man of Many HatsPrivate Reply to Patrick McManus | | Jan 27, 2007 10:09 pm | | re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Vibhuti Jha | |
Art of public speaking - success , effectiveness and impact will depend on the message , the messenger and the audience and within the trio - their interrelationship and connectivity.
Ref Osama - I think a beautiful friendly forum like Ryze is not quite the place to bring in any ref to self proclaimed preachers and controversial people like him. let him enjoy his audience who are foolish enough to kill innocent people in the name of God , the same God who never preached violence in the first place to justify whatever is considered as "cause". Where are the MEN from within the community to even have a dialogue or question his modus operandi ?
Politically incorrect am I ? so be it.
Vibhuti Jha Private Reply to Vibhuti Jha | | Jan 28, 2007 12:19 am | | re: re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Rasheed Hooda | | What makes an effective speaker? An Effective Speech. Did the speech have the desired effect on the audience?
How do you prepare and deliver an effective speech?
In preparation, I keep in mind Abraham Lincoln's definition of an effective speech. "A captivating opening and a memorable ending with very little in between."
As for delivery, I do my best to be myself and open up to the audience, be sincere and authentic.
Rasheed
Prosperity Mentor and Keynote Speaker
Be Different, Be Yourself!
http://www.MisterWeirdo.com
http://www.ryze.com/networkindex.php?network=NaturalEasePrivate Reply to Rasheed Hooda | | Feb 08, 2007 3:22 pm | | re: re: re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # |
Sophie Jewry | | An effective speaker is someone who is confident but not cocky!
Someone who when you hear them speak makes you feel like their talking to you even if the room is packed with people.
Someone who makes you want to listen, just in case you miss something.
A REAL person who you feel you can associate with and woud like to talk to afterwards.
There are very few I've seen that can manage it as good as that but if you come close you're going the right way.
I like to be inspired when I'm being spoken to.
Make people laugh and feel comfortable but remain professional, speak strongly and confidently. I agree with the projection is better than loudness - who wants to be shouted at for an hour!
I hope you find more confidence in your speaking in 2007!
Sophie
:)Private Reply to Sophie Jewry | | Feb 13, 2007 1:26 pm | | re: re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Suresh J | | Hi Sharif,
Effective Speaker is one who successfully conveys the message to the audience.
Regards
Suresh Private Reply to Suresh J | | Feb 13, 2007 6:32 pm | | re: re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # | 
Linda J. Alexander http://www.lindajalexander.net | | Connection. I think that might be the Number One point in being an effective speaker . . . being able to connect w/your audience. If you can do so, you will hold their interest.
Professionalism.
Sense of humor. I don't really care what your topic is, there are very few subjects that don't benefit w/a bit of humor dashed in here & there. We recently buried my mother-in-law. What made it all bearable were the more entertaining moments of her life, related by those who knew her best.
We can learn presentation, or most of us can. It's in the aspects of a personality, IMHO, where a true public speaker is born, not bred.
Blessings -- Linda
Linda J. Alexander, Books For The Thinking Reader
http://www.lindajalexander.net
http://www.authorsden.com/lindajalexander
HOLLYWOOD & POLITICS - http://hollywoodpolitics-network.ryze.com/Private Reply to Linda J. Alexander http://www.lindajalexander.net | | Mar 25, 2007 5:39 am | | re: Osama Bin Laden as a Speaker | # |
Pat Hafford | | Sharif - It appears the thread is dead but I'm new here so I'll add my take on it.
I, too, have a soft voice. I speak to groups all the time and at first I had difficulties because I am soft-spoken. On top of that, I have a low voice. All the other comments were very helpful but if the audience can't hear you, they won't get your message and they won't connect with you. Beyond them not hearing, you don't want them to work too hard (I agree a few quiet passages can be interesting, but not your entire talk.) You also don't to "soothe" your audience unless you are trying to hypnotize them!
You have to learn to project. You can't rely on audio equipment because in smaller places where it wouldn't make sense, you won't be heard. A couple of things I learned:
1. Moving around helps you keep up the energy for projecting. It also allows you to approach more closely to your audience. In addition, it will help keep their attention. I don't mean you should run around, but don't get glued in one spot.
2. If you do it right, you will get tired or even "out of voice" at first. Projecting takes work if you're really soft-spoken so don't be surprised if you need to exercise it until it comes more naturally.
This has been my experience. I hope it helps. Private Reply to Pat Hafford | | |
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