How can you effectively listen and manage group discussions during a public speaking event?

An example I’ve seen is implementing seedlings of curiosity to keep the audience engaged. Here’s some examples of sentences that will keep the audience engaged: 1. Guess what? 2. Anyone else nodding along? 3. I’ll explain that in a minute 4. Let’s see this in action Planting seedlings of curiosity makes your public speaking more impactful.

When I am giving a talk on a topic that involves relatable workplace or team work scenarios, I like to informally poll the audience to determine alignment and then ask for volunteers to share. For example, I speak at colleges and universities a lot on the topic of leadership, and I ask students about group projects they've worked on. The question is "how many of you have worked on a group project with someone who wasn't holding up their end?" (Most hands go up. Shock.) From there, I ask "who would like to share a leadership example of how they dealt with that individual?" Fun way to jump start the conversation.

Public speaking involves more than conveying a message; it's about captivating the audience and enabling fruitful interactions. Whether presenting, leading a workshop, or moderating a panel, effective listening and adept management of group discussions are vital for engagement and shared understanding. Start with answering two questions: what do you do when you listen- do you judge/critique/evaluate the other person or you actually listen? What do others do when they listen to you?

A mistake some speakers make is using a question or comment from the audience or a panelist to take a break or think about what they will say next. Missing an opportunity to hear from others during a presentation, speech, or panel means missing an opportunity to connect with your audience, and the audience is the entire reason you're there. Actively listening means using eye contact with the speaker, body language that demonstrates receptiveness, repeating the question or comment in summary form for all to hear, and a thoughtful response that reinforces you as a subject matter expert.

As a nurse educator administrator, I view active listening as a critical skill for effective public speaking. It enhances comprehension, builds rapport, and boosts credibility. To actively listen, maintain eye contact and use positive body language to demonstrate engagement. Employ verbal and non-verbal cues like nodding or affirming with phrases such as "I see" to show attentiveness. Repeat or paraphrase key points to ensure understanding, and ask clarifying questions to gather more details. Summarizing main points or themes helps highlight key takeaways and smoothly transition between topics. Mastering active listening not only improves your interactions but also strengthens your overall presentation effectiveness.

Try not to be afraid of audience participation! If you don't speak often, you may be concerned about being asked a question that you don't know the answer to, or worse, being heckled like a a stand-up comedian whose jokes aren't landing. Audience participation can be a gift - it shows you that the people you have been presenting to care about and are engaging with the content and gives you the chance to further demonstrate YOUR passion and expertise. If you've prepared, there's an excellent chance you'll be able to tackle the question. If there is an opinion question, open it up to other participants as well. And if it's a curveball, don't make stuff up - acknowledge the question and use that as a learning opportunity for yourself!