I enjoyed the women’s only Q&A panel on the ABC last night, but the fact that it is such a rarity is damning of Australian media.
And at the recent NAB Women’s Leadership agenda lunch in Sydney, many inspirational women took to the stage – as hosts, award winners and guest speakers. I was struck by the quality and appropriateness of how these women managed their time in the spotlight. Comfortable, gracious, funny, impromptu, wise and generous – all of them.
We need more women like them. But women are grossly under-represented in media and public debate. Studies show a woman is far less likely than a man to be interviewed, quoted or published in mainstream media. In fact, the Australian study by New Matilda shows:
- Women comprise only 25% of media comment in Australia. .
- Leaving aside sports coverage, male sources were three times more likely to be quoted than female ones.
- Business people quoted in stories were more than 90 per cent male.
- Female journalists were more likely to use female sources than male journalists.
We also need to raise our profile delivering conference papers, as keynote speakers, sitting on panels and discussions, tweeting, posting and providing media grabs.
You may prefer to be a quiet achiever, but if you want to be recognised for your work, raise your profile and influence, or advocate for your cause, you can’t do this from the shadows.
Women should also join in public debate on issues of all kinds, beyond those traditionally seen as “women’s issues”. To correct this imbalance we need more women to step up and step out with confidence, to raise their voices, presence and influence as “go to” people of choice in a 24-hour news environment.
From personal experience I know that stepping out into the spotlight takes courage, preparation and perseverance.
Chances are you won’t have a big pubic relations firm to guide you. There are seminars and how to books you can use. But you can also learn from people you think are great communicators. Ask yourself what makes those people so effective?
Below are some very basic and practical tips from my journey that I hope will give you the nudge you may need to step up and out.
1. Get over yourself. When you are in front of the microphone people are not really that interested in your shoes, hair or dress sense, even though you may be stressing over your appearance. You can afford to relax because people aren’t actually obsessing over you while you speak.
It is true that women are far more likely to be judged by their appearance, but you do have to let go on this one or you may never feel ready. And remember if you are nervous, your nerves won’t actually show as much as you think. Only you truly know how nervous you are up there, and this will recede in the course of your talk, and next time and the time after that. Only practice will fix this. The more you speak in public the better and more relaxed you will be come.
2. Know your presentation You may be an expert but are you an expert at delivery? If you are inexperienced or nervous, it is important that you rehearse your content until you know it backwards. But when you deliver your presentation, you need to tell it like it is a story you only just thought of. Story telling, at least in part, is a very effective approach and adding some element of your personal experience can really help an audience to engage.
3. People may remember little of what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel. That’s why calm and confident is important. You can use some emotion and humour. Sometimes a short presentation is more influential than the most detailed of the day.
4. You also need to rehearse so you are certain you can deliver your presentation within your time slot. As a chair and host of many events, I am continually disappointed at how many people arrive with a 30 minute speech for a 15 minute slot. Being given the warning bell can be off putting and certainly sends a bad signal so don’t use it as your meter. It is also a discourtesy to fellow speakers and event organisers. Yet running overtime is a common and very annoying occurrence.
5. Build up a media profile by offering astute comment. If you are a long winded person, you will, however, need to focus on the art of the sound bite. If you are able to articulate that gem of a sound bite, or simply summarize a point of view, you will make reporter happy. You can boost your media profile by always being reliable, available and quotable. Over time, journalists will come to know you and value
6. Stop being a LinkedIn wimp. I have many colleagues, expert in their field, with experience and insights to offer. yet all they do is read everyone’s posts. Only very occasionally do they actually “like” something, rarer still do they venture into making a comment, and almost none have ever posted anything themselves! Have you started a discussion group? Why not? Nothing bad happens if nobody contributes to you discussion. Just have another go.
7. Remember logistics can sometime let you down. I once gave a speech to launch a Christmas appeal at a large shopping centre, only to find the sounds of three little merry go round rides for toddlers made it absolutely futile. I don’t have a booming voice, and when I try to speak up, I don’t have a great vocal range. Ask if there will be a public address system. If you are vertically challenged like me, you will need to lower the microphone or the lectern first. It’s no big deal and nobody will care except the next tall speaker.
8. Provide your bio or introduction to the event organisers in advance. And take a copy with you too. That way you can ensure that the person introducing you has the words that convey how you would like to be introduced. A short paragraph or a few sentences will do. Don’t be shy to include your achievements. I have found in the past that other speakers were being introduced with much detail and acclaim, and then I’m introduced with a one liner introduction. Event organisers don’t always do their homework. Don’t let it happen to you. This stuff matters.
9. When starting to speak, don’t start with comments that will immediately question your authority. It’s hard to believe, but true, that people will begin a presentation blurting out something apologetic about how little time they had to prepare, how unused to public speaking they are or hoping they don’t bore you. Why on earth would you start that way?
10. It is true that stepping out publicly sets you up for notice and potential criticism – but so does leadership. Know your subject well, be prepared and back your beliefs. From all of the media commentary I do, I seldom attract problematic negative comment. The key is to be the subject matter expert. That is your best protection.
11. If you are ever asked to present a proposal or report before a meeting of a Board of Directors, get to the point and work back. Board meetings frequently run overtime, there is always a packed agenda and sometimes tension in the room that has nothing to do with you. Unfortunately board meetings can be a forum for blunt and bad behaviour. For those reasons you should move quickly to put your main point out there first or you may find the Chair winding you up before you ever get there.
12. Social media is an effective platform but you should also learn the tips for reducing the impact of any trolls or undesirables. It is important to know how to use social media safely and to full effect, especially various privacy settings and other tips on blocking and reporting. (Check out #PositionofStrength, a new initiative in Australia to increase women’s voices on social media).
Women have what we need to be influential in any combination of qualifications, authority, experience, insight and leadership abilities – so now let’s work on the skills we need to step into the spotlight and make our voices heard