Hitting the Mark: The Value of Feedback in Public Speaking

Earlier this month, Ruth and I participated in a charity golf outing organized by our client, Huntington National Bank. It benefited Pelotonia, a remarkable organization with one simple goal: End cancer. We were thrilled to support both!

Many people would be excited for a day of golfing– I was decidedly not. Because, drumroll: I don’t play golf.

My limited experience consisted of a few swings as a kid and a fair amount of putt-putt. I expected I’d embarrass myself at some point. In front of our clients!

This apprehension is a lot like the feelings our Presentation Style and Delivery class participants experience. In this workshop, they know they’ll speak, often unprepared, while being recorded. Few people enjoy hearing or seeing themselves on playback.

However, the recordings are invaluable. At Articulation, we understand the need for feedback in speaking. Since you can’t listen and speak simultaneously, self-feedback, guided by a coach, leads to rapid progress. And yes, that means you need to watch those recordings!

Our class stands out because of what happens after the recording. Participants identify areas to work on, and our coaches provide targeted adjustments. A frequent “uhm-er” learns to eliminate fillers, a monotone speaker adds life to their voice, and a pacer gains confidence to own the room.

Back to golf.

Despite my reluctance, I had a lot of fun, thanks in large part to a former golf pro on our team. Similarly, our Style and Delivery class participants end up loving it. Even those who dread the experience leave feeling accomplished. It’s our highest-rated workshop, with an average score of 9.32 out of 10. As one recent participant shared, “It was the best development I have had in my entire career!”

We invite you to experience this transformative class and see the difference it can make for you. No golf clubs required.

~ Acacia Duncan

PS – For another option, don’t forget, the fall session of our Executive Communication Masterclass for individuals has a few openings left! Contact Kim for details.