COACHING i n t e r n a t i o n a l

NUGGET

Empowering you to Empower Others!

Xmas Tree Voice

Learning Objectives
Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein

Xmas Tree Voice

Understand what ? The Xmas Tree Voice nugget is Have an ? overview of the Xmas Tree Voice nugget as a self coaching and coaching process See why we use ? the Xmas Tree Voice nugget Learn when to ? use The Xmas Tree Voice nugget Comprehend ? how to use The Xmas Tree Voice nugget

Every successful communicator (speaker, leader and trainer) knows that LESS is truly MORE! Trying to communicate too many different messages and concepts leaves people at the very least confused, and at the best forgetful. When your message is simple, clear and holds a structure that people can remember, you make an impact! And they remember you. The Xmas Tree nugget has nothing to do with Christmas. It has everything to do with a simple metaphor that will teach you how to make a presentation or message hit home and stay home! If I poured a box of decorations onto the floor what would I have? Yip, a mess! But put the same decorations on the tree and now you have something people are willing to look at, put energy into and even possible enjoy. Forget about your feelings about Christmas and decorations, just get the idea of this it makes sense. Here are some examples of Xmas Tree devices:
? A relevant story that ties the whole message/presentation together ? A symbol ? A metaphor or analogy ? Visual device (Picture) ? A numeric (E.g. the 7 habits, the 4 hours etc.) ? A prop (An item like a Christmas tree, or cup etc.)

Why Xmas Tree? Every message, long or short needs a STRUCTURE that is simple, on which it has different smaller ideas and words. That way when people are trying to remember your message, they need only recall the structure (tree) and then the little pieces (decorations) follow. If you just throw out one small idea after the next without a tree structure to hang them on, they will just see a pile of decorations and have no reason to clap or believe you. When to use Xmas Tree? Whether you need to talk for 5 minutes, 1 hour or an entire week, use this nugget. How do you use Xmas Tree? Brainstorm different ways to tie your entire message together in a simple, memorable way. The more fun (appropriately) the device the better. Then build your presentation into the structure so that it neatly ties it all together.

Copyright 2011, Colleen-Joy Page. www.innerlifeskills.com

COACHING i n t e r n a t i o n a l

NUGGET

Empowering you to Empower Others!

Xmas Tree Voice part 1

Learning Objectives
Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein

SNOOKER BALLS
? Comprehend

how to use The Xmas Tree Voice nugget continued

Try this quick experiment. And don't cheat! Read what to do, then try it out. Close your eyes and as clearly as you can, picture 1 snooker ball. Get it nice and clear, make it detailed. Now make it two! And make the 2nd snooker ball as clear as the first. Got it? Now see both snooker balls together at the same time, not one then the other. See both and try make it as clear as when it was just one snooker ball. Now make it three! Make all three as clear as the single one. Go on and on adding snooker balls. Notice that it gets tricky to picture a few snooker balls all together and all as clearly as picturing just 1. END OF SNOOKER BALL EXPERIMENT What does this prove? (Besides that if you know the difference between a pool ball and snooker balls, we now know how you spent your youth). It proves that the mind struggles to focus clearly on more than 1 to 3 things at the same time. If you want your presentation to be clear and memorable don't clutter your message! Having 1 clear message makes it clear. All other ideas and points should build and support the main one. If you try to add more main ideas just know that you will lose clarity in your audience's understanding. 3 PHASES Here is a simple guide to the overall structure of a great presentation. 1. 2. 3. 1. Introduction Demonstration Call to action Introduction should do the following:

Establish firmly and clearly the main message. Establish the Xmas Tree structure device. Build credibility for you as a speaker (without going 'plus' and superior on your

audience.) Connect and establish rapport with the audience. 2. Demonstration:

? The solutions from your 3 column sticky content process. Facts, stories, evidence,

demonstrating the validity and value of your solutions. Make it interactive if appropriate by asking questions, getting them to raise their hands once or twice (not more) and think.

Copyright 2011, Colleen-Joy Page. www.innerlifeskills.com

COACHING i n t e r n a t i o n a l

NUGGET

Empowering you to Empower Others!

Xmas Tree Voice part 2

Learning Objectives
Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein

3.
? Comprehend

Call to action:

how to use The Xmas Tree Voice nugget continued

? End strong! Summarise your message, recap the

most important solutions and points. Then call them to action and do so confidently. A call to action can be anything from "sign here", to "go live the message I just gave you" to "when can we next meet to take this further?" NERVES Nerves can totally sabotage your message. Here are some professional tips:
? Open with a story, not facts or tags you have to think of to remember. The story or

anecdote need not be clever but must be relevant to the message. It can also include ways to build your credibility and establish rapport with the audience. If you start with a story, guess what? You know the story and you won't need notes to remember. Tell it like you tell your friends. Speak slowly and make it as real as you can. ? Don't hold paper, when nervous your hands may shake, thus drawing attention to the paper. Neither hold anything that you can unconsciously click or fiddle with. ? Remember they can't see how nervous you are, so don't add to your fear by worrying about looking frightened. A smile and speaking slowing can hide your nerves easily. ? Silence. Use silence. Take a long pause to gather yourself and get centred. ? Be human. People relate to humans, not perfection. So relax and be you. ? Focus on being of service to them. You are a voice to be of value to the audience. By focusing on how you can serve them, you can make this more important than your nerves. ? Be equal to. Rather than trying to be bigger than your audience PLUS, by exaggerating, trying too hard, or feeling MINUS smaller than, intimidated... Focus on being equal to (human, real, honest, authentic, and empathetic). ? ABC'S. Remember the ABC's, (see ILS Empower In-tuition module specifically the ABCS nugget), place your attention in your body, in the centre and stay there. This is a fantastic fear buster, and keeps you in the zone of being a powerful and present speaker. Practical Connecting Tips A few more practical tips:
? Yes look at your audience, don't stare them down, but do make eye contact. ? Project your voice to the last row. ? Make sure you have your presentation materials and backups. ? Breathe and take silent pauses often for effect and to centre. ? Slow down, slower is better. ? Weed out 'ums' and 'ok' all the silence fillers, rather be quiet.

Copyright 2011, Colleen-Joy Page. www.innerlifeskills.com

COACHING i n t e r n a t i o n a l

NUGGET

Empowering you to Empower Others!

Xmas Tree Voice part 3

Learning Objectives
Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein

To prepare or not to prepare

? Comprehend

how to use The Xmas Tree Voice nugget continued

Everyone may tell you to prepare for a speech or presentation and they are right, however, if you prepare in the wrong way, the very preparation can kill the power of the talk. What happens when you write a speech word for word and then stand with your paper in front of an audience to speak? Likely one of several nightmarish things will happen: youll read your speech, youll speak for a while and then youll lose your place, and you would be so busy concentrating on remembering your words that youll came across as mechanical, terrified or just plain boring. Preparation is not learning a speech off by heart. Can you imagine sitting with a friend over lunch and then taking out cue cards to read your hellos and how are you' s to them? No, you speak from the heart and just be yourself. That makes the magic. So we need the freedom to do this when speaking formally too. Having a word-by-word speech makes it impossible to connect well (unless you are a superb actor and have years of flawless acting experience). And even with acting, some of the best acting is impromptu and natural. So what should you prepare? We recommend the following: 1. The primary snooker ball single message. 2. The Xmas Tree device. 3. The sticky content. 4. Your opening story. 5. The main points for the second phase demonstration. 6. Your call to action. Have these as no more than a 1 page summary, have facts and figures that need memorising somewhere to spot easily. After that; just focus on being of service by bringing great value to your audience. Be human, be real and be sticky!

Copyright 2011, Colleen-Joy Page. www.innerlifeskills.com