Public speaking for technical people 🔗

Module 1 🔗

The Power of Communication:

• Why communication skills are crucial for developers (career advancement, project success).
• Addressing the fear of public speaking
• Why you are qualified to deliver a talk/presentation
• Who would want to listen to you
• Overcoming the imposter syndrome

Understanding Your Audience:

• Identifying needs and expectations (differentiating technical vs. non-technical questions).
• Fighting the impostor syndrome
• Active listening skills (mirroring, paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions).

Technical Communication for Everyone:

• Breaking down complex concepts: Simplifying language without sacrificing accuracy.
• Using analogies and metaphors: Relating technical issues to real-world examples.
• Focus on benefits: Explain how the technical solution addresses the audience problem.

Building Rapport and Trust:

• Utilizing empathy to understand customer frustrations.
• Setting expectations and timelines clearly (managing customer concerns).
• Role-playing customer service scenarios (practice resolving common issues).

Module 2: The outline 🔗

Crafting Your Message:

• Organizing presentations for clarity and flow (storytelling techniques, audience engagement).
• Using visuals effectively (design principles, avoiding information overload).
• Avoiding death by PowerPoint

Delivery with Confidence:

• Vocal techniques for clarity and projection (breathing exercises, avoiding monotone).
• Body language for impactful presentations (eye contact, posture).
• Practice session with feedback (simulated presentations, video recording).
• Managing difficult people
• Managing interruptions

Q&A session: Addressing participant questions and concerns.

Module 3: Preparing the presentation 🔗

Preparing Your Speech

• Identifying your purpose and message
• Conducting research and gathering credible sources
• Structuring your speech (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
• Story telling
• The power of ‘personal’ and relatable stories
• Crafting compelling openings and closings

Enhancing Speech Content

• Developing persuasive arguments
• Storytelling techniques
• Incorporating humor and anecdotes
• Tailoring content to different audience demographics

Stage presence

• Part lecture/interview, Part stage show
• Speaking for introverts
• Attention capturing
• The narrative arc
• What audience remembers

The do’s and don’ts on Stage

• Overcoming anxiety
• Don’t picture them naked
• Tips from real-life

Using demos

• Showing live code examples
• When the demo Gods don’t respond
• Tips & tricks

Handling Q&A Sessions

• Strategies for managing questions confidently
• Active listening skills during Q&A
• Handling criticism and feedback gracefully
• Managing difficult questions