Learn by Critiquing Others

• 00:05 One of the ways you can become a better speaker is by really
• 00:09 watching a lot of other speakers and criticizing them.
• 00:14 Now, criticism isn't just saying, you're lousy, you're awful, you're boring.
• 00:18 If you're going to criticize someone, whether you share the criticism or not,
• 00:23 you should always start by looking for what works, what's good.
• 00:27 So, whether you're watching a colleague's presentation, whether you're watching
• 00:32 a TED speech online, you could be watching Winston Churchill or
• 00:37 Ronald Reagan on YouTube, or other great world leaders or business leaders.
• 00:41 Watch with a critical eye.
• 00:44 But when you do it, you've got to have a little more complexity to your analysis.
• 00:49 It can't just be, oh, I like that, or I didn't like that, or that was funny, or
• 00:52 that wasn't.
• 00:54 You need to listen for the substance,
• 00:57 what are you getting that's important and useful?
• 00:59 But also be watching the style.
• 01:01 What is it you like about the style?
• 01:04 Start with that.
• 01:05 Do you like that they are using humor?
• 01:08 Do you like that they're walking around the stage in a purposeful way?
• 01:13 Do you like the way the person uses the full range of their voice?
• 01:17 Focus on exactly what's working.
• 01:20 The more you become aware of what other people do that works,
• 01:25 the easier it's going to be for you not to mimic them,
• 01:28 but to incorporate these best practices into your own presentations.
• 01:34 And it's also going to be easier for you to avoid things you don't like if you see
• 01:38 somebody who is reading a speech, head down and
• 01:42 it's putting you to sleep and you really make note of that and you're aware of it.
• 01:47 You're going to be less likely to read a speech with your head down because you
• 01:52 will have thought about how you don't like it.
• 01:55 How it doesn't work for you.
• 01:59 So you could do this formally or informally, and by informally I mean,
• 02:03 just you got five free minutes at lunch time.
• 02:06 Rather than just watching a comedy bit on YouTube, watch someone you
• 02:11 respect giving a presentation, just the first five minutes of their presentation.
• 02:16 And write down on a piece of paper, just for yourself,
• 02:20 or on your cellphone, what it is you liked about this person.
• 02:25 But also what you would advise them to differently to make it better,
• 02:30 if they asked you.
• 02:33 Now, those of you who work in organizations and have colleagues,
• 02:36 I would highly recommend you form partnerships with colleagues and
• 02:42 ask them to critique you, but also tell them you'll critique them.
• 02:46 Have them rehearse their next presentation in front of you at lunchtime, and
• 02:52 then don't just take the easy way out.
• 02:54 Don't just, oh, great job.
• 02:56 You're gonna really wow them on Friday.
• 02:58 Totally meaningless.
• 02:59 You need to tell your colleague exactly what they did well.
• 03:05 Grade them on every aspect of style and substance.
• 03:09 But then tell them what you didn't like.
• 03:12 What didn't work.
• 03:13 And tell them exactly what you think they need to to get better.
• 03:18 A person might not always agree with you.
• 03:21 They might not necessarily follow your advice,
• 03:23 but the fact that you're thinking about these things.
• 03:26 The fact that your looking deeper into a presentation than just good, bad, black,
• 03:30 white, work, didn't work, it's going to make you a better communicator too.
• 03:35 So, keep your eyes open, and be analyzing speakers everywhere you are.
• 03:41 Now, I'm not suggesting you go up to your boss, wow, your speech was horrible,
• 03:45 you did these 23 things wrong, unless they ask for it.
• 03:49 As a general rule, don't give criticism unless someone asked for
• 03:54 it, and even then, always start with the positives, be constructive.
• 03:59 Then, and only then, talk about a particular weakness, and
• 04:03 give suggestions on how to improve that.
• 04:05 Do that, and over time, it will make you a better communicator.

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