It’s often said that the fear of public speaking tops the list for many people. Some would rather do anything else than stand before an audience. However, we can all learn to manage this fear in small, effective ways. Today, I want to share some insights from my latest book, co-authored with my friend Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh, on the fundamentals of public speaking. When I started as a public speaker, I learned by observing my peers and other seasoned speakers. One thing I noticed early on was that every speaker brings a unique energy, style, and approach to delivering their message. Take historical figures like Kwame Nkrumah, Thomas Sankara, and Patrice Lumumba—great minds and public speakers from whom we can all learn. J.J. Rawlings, for example, had an extemporaneous style full of energy and excitement. He rarely read from a script, making his delivery dynamic and captivating. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi often started by sharing childhood struggles and local stories, effortlessly mixing humor with wisdom to engage the audience while driving home key points. Albert Ocran, on the other hand, brings a different kind of energy. His speeches are well-structured, often organized into points—whether it’s five or seven—and he ensures his audience remembers these key ideas by having them repeat after him. He masterfully weaves stories into his message to make each point more memorable. Then there’s my friend Ibrahim Mustapha, who opens with high energy, pauses, and reignites his delivery with renewed vigor, keeping the audience on their toes. Finally, Jeremiah Buabeng comes on stage and maintains a solid level of energy from start to finish—keeping everyone fully engaged. Emmanuel Woyome, Terry Mante, and Scofray Yeboah will come in with a soft gentle voice with a deep message that will make you ponder every sentence. Looking at all these speakers and learning from them, one thing stands out: everyone has their unique style, and while the message may differ, they all deliver it effectively. I particularly enjoyed Ps. Andy Yawson’s presentations. He speaks clearly, without filler words—everything is precise and audible. Whether on radio, TV, or while preaching, Pastor Andy’s message is always clear, and that’s something I admire and aim to learn. My colleague Ekow Mensah has a unique style like that of Rev. Lawrence Tetteh, he could deliver weighty and sensitive messages with a touch of humor, making his audience laugh while still conveying the depth of his message. It’s a remarkable skill. Then there’s Samuel Agyeman Prempeh and John Armah, who can memorize almost everything and deliver effortlessly. He engages his audience by weaving in stories and key points, keeping them hooked from start to finish. So, what do you bring to the stage? Every speaker has their way of engaging the audience—their entrance, their core message, and their delivery. It’s important to find your style. Regarding Visual Presentations and Props: In the early stages of my speaking career, I attended a conference where Selorm Branttie presented. We were all used to the traditional PowerPoint slides, but when it was Selorm’s turn, he did something different. His presentation style, coupled with the visuals, left the audience in awe. Afterward, many of us were asking him what tool he used. It turned out to be Prezi, which was relatively new at the time. The presentation felt fresh and dynamic, and it left a lasting impression on me. When you are using slides or props, it’s good to get them right. I sometimes do PowerPoint presentations and, surprisingly, people are impressed by how effective they are, even though it’s a common tool. As much as we prepare the content of our message, we also need to prepare the visual presentation. There are two key aspects to this: the slides themselves and the props you use. For visual presentations, the images need to be large and clear, and the text should be big enough to read easily—no squeezing everything onto one slide. I learned that a good presentation doesn’t mean putting all the information on the slides. Overloading them is a common mistake. There are guidelines for how to do this effectively. Then, when it comes to props, I realized how central they are. Sometimes, you may not have access to projectors, and that’s when props become vital. You might need objects or tools to communicate your message visually. Incorporating props into your presentations ensures that, even without the usual visual aids, you can still engage your audience and drive home your message. This is one of the pointers I picked up along the way: finding your style, your voice, and the tools that work best for you. Learn from Others and Master Your Style While it’s important to learn from various speakers, you also need to find something you can master and repeat consistently. This is what will make you stand out in your presentations. For instance, Les Brown often starts his speeches with a personal story about being labeled “uneducable.” That key story frames his message and connects with his audience right from the start. So, what’s your story? Some speakers begin with a powerful quote, others with an image. These are things you can experiment with in the early stages of preparing your speeches and presentations. It’s essential to find what works best to drive your message home. In conclusion, at every stage of your public speaking journey, you can learn from a wide range of people. I’ve learned from mentors like Albert Ocran, Titi-Ofei, Patrick Oteiku, and Yaw Perbi. On the international stage, there are speakers like Les Brown, Jim Rohn, and Anthony Robbins—each with their unique style and energy. You can observe, learn, and incorporate these insights to craft your approach to delivering a message. Stage Fright and the Fear of Public Speaking Most people experience stage fright or fear of public speaking, but overcoming it requires constant practice. Even those at the highest levels of public speaking occasionally feel a few butterflies, depending on the audience or situation. The key is preparation and training. Mental […]
![<description>It&#8217;s often said that the fear of public speaking tops the list for many people. Some would rather do anything else than stand before an audience. However, we can all learn to manage this fear in small, effective ways. Today, I want to share some insights from my latest book, co-authored with my friend Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh, on the fundamentals of public speaking. When I started as a public speaker, I learned by observing my peers and other seasoned speakers. One thing I noticed early on was that every speaker brings a unique energy, style, and approach to delivering their message. Take historical figures like Kwame Nkrumah, Thomas Sankara, and Patrice Lumumba—great minds and public speakers from whom we can all learn. J.J. Rawlings, for example, had an extemporaneous style full of energy and excitement. He rarely read from a script, making his delivery dynamic and captivating. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi often started by sharing childhood struggles and local stories, effortlessly mixing humor with wisdom to engage the audience while driving home key points. Albert Ocran, on the other hand, brings a different kind of energy. His speeches are well-structured, often organized into points—whether it&#8217;s five or seven—and he ensures his audience remembers these key ideas by having them repeat after him. He masterfully weaves stories into his message to make each point more memorable. Then there&#8217;s my friend Ibrahim Mustapha, who opens with high energy, pauses, and reignites his delivery with renewed vigor, keeping the audience on their toes. Finally, Jeremiah Buabeng comes on stage and maintains a solid level of energy from start to finish—keeping everyone fully engaged. Emmanuel Woyome, Terry Mante, and Scofray Yeboah will come in with a soft gentle voice with a deep message that will make you ponder every sentence. Looking at all these speakers and learning from them, one thing stands out: everyone has their unique style, and while the message may differ, they all deliver it effectively. I particularly enjoyed Ps. Andy Yawson&#8217;s presentations. He speaks clearly, without filler words—everything is precise and audible. Whether on radio, TV, or while preaching, Pastor Andy&#8217;s message is always clear, and that&#8217;s something I admire and aim to learn. My colleague Ekow Mensah has a unique style like that of Rev. Lawrence Tetteh, he could deliver weighty and sensitive messages with a touch of humor, making his audience laugh while still conveying the depth of his message. It&#8217;s a remarkable skill. Then there&#8217;s Samuel Agyeman Prempeh and John Armah, who can memorize almost everything and deliver effortlessly. He engages his audience by weaving in stories and key points, keeping them hooked from start to finish. So, what do you bring to the stage? Every speaker has their way of engaging the audience—their entrance, their core message, and their delivery. It&#8217;s important to find your style. Regarding Visual Presentations and Props: In the early stages of my speaking career, I attended a conference where Selorm Branttie presented. We were all used to the traditional PowerPoint slides, but when it was Selorm&#8217;s turn, he did something different. His presentation style, coupled with the visuals, left the audience in awe. Afterward, many of us were asking him what tool he used. It turned out to be Prezi, which was relatively new at the time. The presentation felt fresh and dynamic, and it left a lasting impression on me. When you are using slides or props, it&#8217;s good to get them right. I sometimes do PowerPoint presentations and, surprisingly, people are impressed by how effective they are, even though it&#8217;s a common tool. As much as we prepare the content of our message, we also need to prepare the visual presentation. There are two key aspects to this: the slides themselves and the props you use. For visual presentations, the images need to be large and clear, and the text should be big enough to read easily—no squeezing everything onto one slide. I learned that a good presentation doesn&#8217;t mean putting all the information on the slides. Overloading them is a common mistake. There are guidelines for how to do this effectively. Then, when it comes to props, I realized how central they are. Sometimes, you may not have access to projectors, and that&#8217;s when props become vital. You might need objects or tools to communicate your message visually. Incorporating props into your presentations ensures that, even without the usual visual aids, you can still engage your audience and drive home your message. This is one of the pointers I picked up along the way: finding your style, your voice, and the tools that work best for you. Learn from Others and Master Your Style While it&#8217;s important to learn from various speakers, you also need to find something you can master and repeat consistently. This is what will make you stand out in your presentations. For instance, Les Brown often starts his speeches with a personal story about being labeled &#8220;uneducable.&#8221; That key story frames his message and connects with his audience right from the start. So, what&#8217;s your story? Some speakers begin with a powerful quote, others with an image. These are things you can experiment with in the early stages of preparing your speeches and presentations. It&#8217;s essential to find what works best to drive your message home. In conclusion, at every stage of your public speaking journey, you can learn from a wide range of people. I&#8217;ve learned from mentors like Albert Ocran, Titi-Ofei, Patrick Oteiku, and Yaw Perbi. On the international stage, there are speakers like Les Brown, Jim Rohn, and Anthony Robbins—each with their unique style and energy. You can observe, learn, and incorporate these insights to craft your approach to delivering a message. Stage Fright and the Fear of Public Speaking Most people experience stage fright or fear of public speaking, but overcoming it requires constant practice. Even those at the highest levels of public speaking occasionally feel a few butterflies, depending on the audience or situation. The key is preparation and training. Mental [&#8230;]</description>](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://bkc.name/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/personal_brand_podcast.jpg&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)