Stay cool

When the time comes for you to deliver your speech, be prepared. Take a little bit of time before your moment of glory to get yourself ready. For example, empty your pockets of keys and coins so you don’t have anything to rattle as you walk to the lectern. Push your chair back from the table so you don’t make the mistake of knocking it over as you stand up. Have your notes handy and ready to go.

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When introduced, stand and walk slowly and deliberately to the place where you will deliver the speech. Use that time to breathe deeply and calmly, to oxygenate the system and to get the benefit of the adrenalin now flowing.

When you are in front of your audience, take a look around and wait until there is perfect silence. If people in the audience continue to talk, just look at them. Whether they are looking at you or not they will sense your stare and gradually fall quiet.

When all is quiet, commence your speech. By the way, don’t trap yourself by trying to address every dignitary by name or title. Instead, use a good generic opening which includes all of the attendees, such as “Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen”. That certainly covers everyone!