Ask HN: How do you effectively communicate or present?

[hnthrow10282910]

I’m starting to realise it’s hard to find people who say useful things at work or speak concisely. (I’m also at fault here). I partly blame layoffs as people feel the need to constantly look very productive.

What’s the best way to improve my speech in such a way where I’m concise and the words I say are intentional? I want to keep people engaged when I speak. Trying to be a man of few words, but also still seem engaged despite being quiet.

[zeroCalories]

I'm a horrible communicator, but these are some tips that have helped me:

1. Give the conclusion first, ramble the details after so people don't get lost.

2. Only share something if it impacts decision making, otherwise it's just noise.

3. Prefer arguments based on facts, because "I don't like it" is too vague for others to make decisions on.

[mmarian]

Record a video where you talk about any topic in one shot, watch it, be embarrassed of how bad it is, repeat until you're not embarrassed. Extra points for publishing the video on YouTube.

Look at your favourite presentations / speakers on YouTube, try to copy what they do.

[beardyw]

Each of us is the centre of our own little world. When we speak it is of no value except to the person listening[1]. The collision of these two facets creates most of the problems. Without going into to much detail, what your listener needs should be your first and often only concern. All too often people speak based on what they themselves need. As an example if you are talking to a group you know well, you may still have a need in yourself to break the tension, something they don't need, so to do so is self serving.

Obviously in, say, an interview you need to give a good impression. I am counting that as what the listener needs.

[1] sometimes what you hear yourself say can be relevant, but rarely!

[yepyoukno]

Scuttlebutt!

Our words are meaning full.

Their measure of meaning are the measure of our own character.

Yours still matter in a world, a mesh of meaning something’s, never not so concise as an ounce of thought, for whatsoever have thoughts to begot, meaningful or nice [agreeable]?

If you haven’t noticed, there are different psychological strategies for communications. While a smooth affable interface is pleasing to many. Intrinsic meaning is a reflection of personal character. It doesn’t have to be cringe, though anythingn truly meaningful said in a smooth context is “good” fodder for conversation.

I like to turn to the disowned temperament classifiers to explain how various “kinds” may be identified with. Though if you prefer to honeymoon over nerd fight, learn to discourse of astrology, it will be better socially regarded.

[austin-cheney]

It takes some practice. I tell people words are sewage. Once the words leave your mouth it’s all garbage and you don’t get it back.

There is an art to slowing down and choosing your words carefully. When you slow down and impose great deliberation on the words you will build confidence through practice. Eventually this gets faster and becomes more autonomic. The people who sound most natural at this are just the most practiced.

[yepyoukno]

Bless you for your noble intentions.

I’m not sure I have helpful advice for you, though I appreciate your observation and desire to improve in such an away.

We learn best by example. If you could find the writings of someone who’s way of speaking impresses you, even fiction, reading their words out loud may inspire your mind to optimize for this sort of communication style.

I do something similar for learning to speak for other purposes (story form, I like to tell stories orally.)

Your intention is a good one!

[alice-work-86]

When i was defend my PhD my scientific chief always say describe your work in 1 sentence. first time very hard! i have been trying to do this for weeksbut after this i can explain any thing short and clear. i think this is best skill for communication

[John_Kwick]

Confidence. Even if you know that the other people know better, your sheer confidence alone can make them doubt themselves. Fake it first, and then it becomes natural

[codingdave]

wat. Making people doubt themselves is not a goal of good communication.