Editor’s Note: In PoliceOne “Frst Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. In this week’s feature, PoliceOne Member Chris Greeley shares some things he’s learned to go from being a"terrified” to a"terrific” public speaker. Do you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members? Send us an e-mail with your story.
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By Chris Greeley
Patrol Officer
Holden (Maine) Police Department
What scares you? High-speed pursuits? Domestics? Executing a search warrant? A foot chase with a fleeing felon?
As I recall, when I was first ‘off FTO’ and patrolling by myself as a new patrol officer in 1990 I think everything scared me. Every time the dispatcher’s voice came over the radio calling for “815,” my radio number then, I nervously anticipated what would follow: “‘Burglary in progress,’ ‘Shot’s fired, man down,’ ‘Hells Angels taking over the PD,’ ‘angry beavers holding postal employee hostage.’”
Well, those last couple never actually happened, but I digress. While I’ve certainly had my own ‘long periods of boredom interrupted by brief moments of sheer terror,’ I discovered by accident, something I found even more terrifying, and perhaps so have you: Public Speaking.
Ask the average person the top five or ten things they’re most afraid to do, and speaking before a group is almost always on the list. I once heard a well-know speaker say some people even list their fear of dying AFTER their fear of public speaking. Since the 1990’s, in addition to being a full-time cop on the midnight shift, I’ve been a speaker, trainer, and consultant who has conducted roughly 300 presentations in and out of the country on a variety of topics. What have I learned from all this public speaking experience? Well, for one thing, I think I’ve made about every mistake a person speaking in front of a group of people can make.
I’ve also learned a few things from those experiences, and whether your audience is merely a driver in a car on a traffic stop, a judge and jury during a criminal trial, a roomful of cadets or recruits at the academy, a TV reporter interviewing you for a news story, or something else, there are certain things you need to keep in mind in order to effectively communicate your message. My goal here, is to give you a few additional skills, in order to make you a more powerful, persuasive, confident, and comfortable presenter, regardless of your audience or message.
Hand jive and verbal ticks
Remember that every time you open your mouth to speak, you are making a presentation. This goes back to my theory that even speaking to someone one-on-one is a presentation. What are you trying to accomplish? Are you trying to get that promotion? Are you attempting to persuade a jury with your testimony? Are you trying to obtain a confession from a suspect? Oh, uh, sorry... a ‘person of interest.’
It’s as important to pay attention to the non-verbal message(s) you’re sending as it is the actual words you’re using. Studies show that only seven percent of our message comes from the words we use. So what makes up the other 93 percent of our message? Body language, gestures, intonation, attire, posture, etc. When you communicate with anyone, your body language needs to be congruent with your words. You wouldn’t smile while making a ‘death notification.’ (Sorry for being morbid.) Well recognize that other ‘non-verbals’ can also be inappropriate, or at the very least a distraction to the listener. Overly-repeated words like, ‘uh,’ ‘um,’ ‘okay,’ or ‘like’ can become the unintended focus of our message. Certain movements like pacing in front of an audience, jingling change in your pocket, or ‘clicking’ your pen repeatedly, can also distract from your message.
Be careful of crossed arms which may convey a message of inflexibility and defensiveness; hands stuck in your pockets, which hide a very expressive part of your body (I’m talking ‘hands’ here, people,) or something as simple as turning your back to your audience, in order to look at a projector screen or ‘white board.’ Watch your gestures, expressions, and body language to be sure your message is clearly received.
Start strong
Recognize that the first 60 to 90 seconds of your presentation is very likely to be the most important. Unfortunately, this is also when we’re usually the most nervous. In this brief amount of time, your audience is making conscious and unconscious decisions about you. Is he credible? Can I believe her? What makes her an expert on this? Why should I ‘go along’ with him, or what he’s saying?
Too many times, we think we need to be perfect when we making a presentation. Strive for excellence, not perfection. The vast majority of time, whether you’re speaking at a ‘department meeting,’ or at a local Chamber of Commerce function, your audience wants you to be successful. If the topic is serious, you can still present it in a professional yet relaxed demeanor. If it’s not as severe a topic, perhaps you can include a bit of humor, audience participation or even ‘props’ to make your point.
People are people. We daydream, get thirsty, yawn, have to use the bathroom, etc. Recognize that you need to make a good initial first impression and ‘win them over’ in the beginning in order to accomplish your objectives.
Prepare yourself — not the speech
While I recognize that in any presentation there are certain (and perhaps specific,) goals and objectives that must be met, I can think of very few circumstances where you’ll want to read a prepared speech, word-for-word. I didn’t say ‘never,’ just very few. In those situations where a verbatim recitation is not needed or perhaps even legally required, like covering the language in a mandatory department policy meeting, I think it’s much better to prepare an outline. Generally, your audience doesn’t know specifically everything you’re going to say or ‘cover.’ Have an outline to which you can refer, but prepare to be flexible.
In some groups you’ll have lots of audience participation, in others not-so-much. An outline gives you the ability to go with the ‘feel of the room. A prepared speech lacks enthusiasm, emotion, spontaneity and even timeliness. Make your point, cover your objectives and fulfill your obligation(s), but be friendly, flexible and receptive to the thoughts, ideas and comments from the audience.
Don’t bet the farm on A/V
Nothing is worse than making a wonderful PowerPoint presentation, only to have the laptop battery die, or some mysterious electronic malfunction occur. Audio/visual tools are great, but only to SUPPLEMENT your presentation. Recognize that if something goes wrong with the equipment, that you’re now ‘on your own.’ Augmenting your presentation with an overhead projector, PowerPoint, etc., can be a great asset, but I don’t think I’ve seen one yet where the presenter using them didn’t walk in front of the screen, have a bulb die, have the computer freeze-up, or something similar. Use these tools sparingly, as a way to ‘lock-in’ a point, re-awaken day-dreamers, or add some ‘color’ to your talk, but not as the primary focus.
Control the room
If the presentation’s going to be long, like a half-day, or all-day, set the ‘ground rules,’ at the start of your presentation. These include the use of cell-phones, pagers, the location of bathrooms, when breaks will be, what time you expect to end, etc. Unless it’s a daily ‘roll call’ at shift-change, you’ll want to explain how the day will go.
If the folks attending are from outside your department, they’ll likely feel a bit intimidated and awkward to begin with. If you’re trying to ‘win theses people over,’ almost regardless of why they’re there, make them feel comfortable. I’m of course talking about people from the media attending a ‘press release,’ a visiting group of area residents, inter-department training, etc. Not your conversation with a burglary ring suspect about their moist recent crime spree.
All the world’s a stage ...and you are always acting!
I hope these pointers are helpful to you, I’ve learned them the hard way, but in so doing I’ve become a better public speaker. Remember, it doesn’t really matter if your goal is to get a promotion or get someone you’ve asked out on a date to say ‘yes,’ you’re making a presentation.
