Magic of Impromptu Speaking: Create a Speech That Will Be Remembered for Years in Under 30 Seconds

Over the past 5 weeks, I observed the same important executive deficit in strategy workshops I facilitated in three different countries: the unwillingness or inability to speak well off the cuff. Thinking about this, I realized how little attention we have given to impromptu speaking in the development of senior people. To put this in perspective, Amazon lists 49 books on impromptu speaking and over 16,000 on presentations.How well people participate in meetings and workshops is a meaningful component of how they position themselves in the business’s leadership. Those who participate early and well, appear more prominent. What struck me during the workshops I facilitated was how people I knew to have extremely valuable contributions to make, failed to share them and to let others know their true worth.This book by Sedniev offers some help, (not much unfortunately,) but it does raise awareness that this is a skill that can be developed. That alone is significant.In most groups, when a topic is raised about which a participant has a comment, the moment passes before the person has formulated their thoughts and constructed an impressive contribution. What happens in this situation, Sedniev suggests, is that “you speak to yourself, (and) the internal dialogue blocks the super-fast creative brain and activates the analytical one” which is much slower.The internal dialogue before speaking is common to all, the only difference is that those who excel at impromptu comments know how to block it. “To achieve this,” he explains, “you simply need to accept two beliefs of the world-class impromptu speaker: “I will definitely answer a question” and “I will not always have a stellar answer.”Based on this belief, good impromptu speakers offer their views because they have the confidence that comes from speaking impromptu often, and have acquired some techniques. This equips them to figure out the best comment once they begin. By answering with your first thought, you block the conscious thinking and activate the subconscious super-fast idea generation.Those who think their way to a superb comment - will probably never get to making one, ever. Sedniev suggests ‘just doing it’, and having broken the logjam to speaking up, you will be able to improve with time. Never starting because your contribution is not stellar, is to condemn yourself never to improve. After all, impromptu comments are never well thought through, that is their nature. It is experience that will allow what you know or believe, to flow.With experience, you will develop the skill of changing the direction of your answer, even several times. With experience “you can switch easily between ideas using transitions, and your speech will sound natural.”It starts with observing the first thought rule: begin contributing “based on the first idea that pops up in your head.” As a starting point, you can pick any part of the question or assertion you like, and answer it. Consider having the opportunity to comment on the American businessman and writer, Max De Pree’s view that “the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” Simply making a comment on any part of that statement, positions you as someone who has an opinion.Once you are more used to participating, you can add more skill to enhance the quality of your contribution.All great speeches have the same structure, Sedniev suggests: an opening, the body, and a conclusion. The most significant difference between a prepared speech and an impromptu comment is timing – impromptu comments are between 1 and 3 minutes long. Any longer diminishes rather than enhances the impact.The opening of your comment could be a statement or a succinct story. Stories have the added ability to capture the audience’s attention and make your comment more impactful and memorable. This is because our brains remember information better when it is associated with stories, visual examples or personal experiences. As such, an inexperienced speaker who uses a story is much more effective than an experienced speaker who doesn’t.Because the impromptu comment will be short, you should convey only one point, but do it effectively.Even if your introduction and your one-point body is good, it will still be your conclusion – your last sentences, that your listeners are most likely to retell to their friends later. The conclusion could even be a well-crafted call for your audience to do something differently after your speech.Delivery techniques matter as much and probably more, in an impromptu comment. “If you asked me what is the most powerful delivery technique in impromptu speaking, I would say, sincerity, for sure!” Sedniev opines. Your audience can always feel if you are not genuine, and they will reject your comment. Additionally, being highly energetic and passionate about your point of view is contagious.The value to one’s career of participating in meetings early, clearly and well, cannot be overlooked. But it has been.Readability Light +--- SeriousInsights High ---+- LowPractical High +---- Low*Ian Mann of Gateways consults internationally on leadership and strategy and is the author of the recently released ‘Executive Update’.

Magic of Impromptu Speaking presents aspiring speakers with an excellent system of improving one's own natural speech as well as one's ability to interact with others, present dynamic and intriguing points of view, and command attention and respect by aweing audiences with memorable impromptu speeches, decorated with personal experience, humorous storytelling, and conflict resolution.As a veteran of impromptu speaking, myself, having competed in and won several impromptu-speaking competitions through academic Speech & Debate tournaments and the like, I must say that I found Andrii Sedniev's guide to impromptu speaking both original as well as delightfully thorough. Not only are all of the tips, advice, and step-by-step instructions meticulously described, but each is also paired with a variety of helpful examples and suggestions. This truly works wonders for advice guides and manuals, because without helpful suggestions and examples from actual experts, rules, tips, and advice fail to become anything more than general knowledge, open to imagination, and while that may work for some, I prefer specifics. This guide absolutely delivers.One of the most comforting, as well as compelling, bits of knowledge shared in this book is the fact that the "best improvisation isn't improvisation." Sedniev explains to readers that much of the magic behind impromptu speaking is simple preparedness, including practicing speeches and answers that incorporate a variety of different possibilities ahead of time so as to cover one's bases when dealing with an actual, interactive audience's questions.I also greatly enjoyed the incorporation of the PEEP approach to impromptu speaking, which stands for "Point, Explanation, Example, and Point." While much of the success of many impromptu speakers can be attributed to their incredible storytelling abilities or the recounting of personal experiences, many others, myself included, like to follow a planned guideline of speaking--making a valid point, explaining said point, providing examples, and then reinforcing the point. This structure has proven greatly beneficial in my own impromptu speeches.The greatest bit of advice, in my opinion, though, was that of how to think on your feet. While I can attest to the usefulness of many of the elements exhibited in Sedniev's system, such as positive attitude, energetic demeanor, and preparedness, I absolutely rejoiced over the section about how to think on your feet, particularly the part about stopping your internal dialogue. This has always been a major issue for me, though I have learned to overcome it. Too often when asked a question or made to speak on the spot, the analytical left brain kicks in, numbing your mind with worry, fear, and ultimately, causes you to overthink your answers. Sedniev's system suggests quickly and effectively shutting down the overly analytical left brain by latching onto the first thought and running with it. I found this advice to be the most beneficial to speakers, as fear and nerves can often get in the way.Sedniev's Magic of Impromptu Speaking far from disappoints. But for a few hitches in editing here and there, it is not only wonderfully meticulous, but is also rich with examples and thorough enough to have you on your way to becoming an incredible impromptu speaker.

I consider myself a preparer and sometimes it's even to my detriment. Not only do I like to be prepared for every situations but I like to be over prepared. I don't even make a phone call without practicing what I'm going to say. But as an over-preparer I go even one step further, I even practice my responses to what I think the other person "might" say. I practice with my husband, "so what if she says this, then what should I say". I practice with my friends, "I have a meeting with my boss I think it's going to be about such and such. I'm really not sure what he wants to meet about but if it's about such and such how would you respond?"So even the title of the book had me ready to read and learn, Magic of Impromptu Speaking. If this book can teach me how to speak on a moment's notice without putting my foot in my mouth then it would be well worth the money I spent on it. Now for me the Creating a Speech that Will Be Remembered for Years in Under 30 Seconds, this part of the title's promise would be a bonus. I am highly pleased with the books. It actually lived up to both parts of its' powerful title. If I had to decide on just one nugget that stood out the most for me it would be the tip that was shared about how people prepare for speaking competitions. "The contestants prepare and rehearse short blocks of the speech and stories that they can use in response to many different questions." What a wonderfully simply tip. This alone has already helped me out when I would have normally been caught with my foot in my mouth. Thanks a lot for a great book Andrii Sedniev. I'm having my 12 year old read it too.

I have just got through this book and it is the best guide for public speaking. Before this, I used to stutter and get nervous when speaking to a fairly large group of individuals; after reading this book, I have become the centre of attention of every room. Not only has this book made me more confident, it has also improved my life in general. I can talk and speak with more confidence and have become much more interesting to talk to (in the opinions of all). This book has done absolute wonders for me and I can’t thank the author enough. I highly recommend this book to all!

I read this very helpful little book in one sitting. It is a well-known fact that for the majority of the population, public-speaking is a major fear. This book is written in a very chatty anecdotal style which I am sure will help many to feel more confident about thinking on their feet when delivering an impromptu speech or talk - whether corporate or personal.As an executive trainer, I am always on the lookout for books and articles which might help my own trainees and delegates. This book will certainly be on my recommended reading list.

This is a great book for anyone who needs to speak off the cuff and I think that it will be useful for anyone who has to do a presentation. Having to speak, especially when it's dropped on you from out of the blue is not easy, even if you've had time to prepare. This book will make you think, it will give you a fresh perspective on how to speak to people, and whilst you'll still have to talk the lessons that you will learn should make things easier for you. I highly recommend this book.

Generally ok to read. Could have done with more practical examples, to emphasis the points the writer was trying to get across.

The author is straight to the point, your attitude towards things has a big influence on your outcome particularly with public speaking, sometimes you won't get it "spot on" straight away, thats the way it is! but you can add structure and a thought process and with a few tips you can really improve your experience. This is a book you can read all the way through then dip into now and then.