World's Most Popular TED Speaker, Ken Robinson, Shares 5 Secrets Of Giving A Great Speech
World Business Forum
Preparation, confidence, and the ability to relax, Ken Robinson told Business Insider in an interview at this week's World Business Forum in New York. Eight years ago, Robinson gave a TED Talk on how schools stifle creativity. It has since been watched more than 28 million times, making it the most popular TED Talk ever.
We asked Robinson to share his top secrets for giving a compelling speech. Here's what he said:
Keep it simple.
"I think of talks in five parts: An introduction, three points, and a conclusion," Robinson told us. While he uses this simple structure to plan talks ahead of time, he said he doesn't write the entire speech. He maps out where he's going to go but not how he's going to get there, which keeps each talk feeling fresh and alive.
Make notes on index cards.
"I find it very hard to read a speech, which is why I simply make notes," he said. He jots down topics on index cards to trigger his memory, and he only uses a few to remember the most essential points. For an hour-plus talk, he made seven cards.
Be confident.
"Obviously, you need to be confident in what you're going to talk about," Robinson said. "You don't need to have all the answers, but you need to have confidence." When you're sure of yourself and your message, the audience starts believing, too.
Create a connection with the audience.
"Your relationship with the audience is paramount. On stage, I'm hoping to make a connection," he said. Humor is one of his best techniques for building rapport. In his talk at the World Business Forum, for example, he made at least one joke a minute, including in his opening remarks. "I was born in Liverpool in 1950," he said. "I know you're wondering: How could that be? You're so boyish." He paused for laughter. "I've had work done." The audience roared.
Relax.
"I tell myself to relax," Robinson said. "If you're freaked out, they're freaked out." While easier said than done, preparation and a few deep breaths should help calm your nerves.
Watch Robinson's famous TED Talk, "How Schools Kill Creativity," below.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- FSSAI in process of collecting pan-India samples of Nestle's Cerelac baby cereals: CEO
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- A surprise visit: Tesla CEO Elon Musk heads to China after deferring India visit
- Unemployment among Indian youth is high, but it is transient: RBI MPC member
- Private Equity Investments
- Having an regional accent can be bad for your interviews, especially an Indian one: study
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market