Yesterday, I visited my Toastmasters club and listened to six impromptu and three prepared speeches. I chose to sit at the back of the room so that, if I got bored, I could peek at my phone for some intellectual or visual stimulation.
Here’s an honest reflection on what I noticed about the speakers and how I felt as an audience member.
Moments When I Got Bored
The speaker’s voice was too quiet, and I could not hear much
A monotonous speech delivery made me instantly switch off from listening and look at my phone
When they spoke too fast and did not have a clear speech structure
When the speaker was relying too heavily on notes, it felt like they were reading a boring report rather than sharing a message
Moments When I Really Enjoyed Listening
One of the speakers started his speech with a deep, intimate question; it felt like he was speaking to me directly. It was an amazing connection
A few speakers made clever jokes and connected them to previous speakers. We all could relate to those jokes and have a good laugh
What Stood Out: Body Language
Finally, I would like to share what stood out to me. I paid attention to the body language because it speaks louder than words and tells a lot about a person. I find it fascinating:
One speaker had a lifted shoulder and hunched back, which made him appear tense and uneven
The Toastmaster of the evening hugged presenters, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere
Some speakers looked very serious throughout, which made their talks feel heavy
Key Takeaways for Speakers
Open with a relatable question or story to capture attention
Project your voice so that people can hear you
Memorise the key messages of your speech and connect with the audience rather than reading a script
Create a clear speech structure, pause between paragraphs and allow listeners to absorb one idea at a time
Stand tall, open your shoulders and smile
I’d love to hear from you—what interesting things do you notice when people speak?
Warmly
Olga Smith