My Blog
A senior climbing the wall for the first time
2022 Feb 9 1 min read
I struggled to the top of the wall
Surprised that I made it at all
I felt the rush of this thrill
But I did suppress my squeal
Looking down, the view was surreal
Hey Fear, the feeling was but conjured
As I descended the auto-belay
My nerves were not frayed
I landed fast, firm, and tall
A smirk on my face said it all
Today, I had dealt fear a death blow
Tomorrow, all these walls would seem low.
Uncovering gems to effective speech message from TED talks
2022, 7th February 7 min read
Communication skills have over the years powered up. When we watch presentations or speeches these days, we will realize that we get the ideas more succinctly and remember them longer.
There are so many aspects to effective communication skills including delivery, content, and language. I like to share my findings on how speakers make their contents stick. I shall list three ways gleaned mostly from watching TED talks.
1 Effective speaker use the multi-sensory experience
For the following reasons;
a) Powerpoints are no longer effective.
Remember the days when we were shown PowerPoint slides with bullet points to read?
It is found that a slide usually has as many as 40 words.
b) It is better to display an image and speak to the audience.
Research has shown that the audience can’t listen to the words and read the wordy slide at the same time. This is explained by the dual coding theory by Prof Paivio from Canada.
What is dual coding theory?
Prof Paivio explained that when you just give your audience a term or word, they will register it as a verbal code.
But when you give an image and a term, they will register it visually and verbally, making it a clearer concept.
Eg you mention a chow dog, we know it as a kind of dog
But when you attach an image of a chow dog, you will remember it as a very furry cute dog that looks like a bear.
Therefore, give your audience a double coding effect if you want the message to stick.
C) Neuroscience experiments have also proven the PSE (Picture superiority effect)
Evidence has shown;
A picture helps one to recall 6 X more than listening to words alone. If you hear information, you can only recall 10% 3 days later compared to a visual impact of 65%
The picture is now etched into your brain and will remain with you for some time to seek action.
Recommendation;
Visuals should enhance words, not duplicate — -TED Commandment
Use more images and even videos and narrate along with them. Appeal to the senses of visual, auditory, and touch if possible. Taste and smell may only be possible through narration.
— — — — — — –
2 Speakers use the rule of 3 — –
It has been discovered that 3 is the magic number of items or headings that people will remember in short-term memory. As the number increases, the retention reduces.
Under each heading, you elaborate and they could be further broken down into another 3 items.
The rule of 3 pervades our lives too;
In literature, we have 3 little pigs, 3 musketeers, 3 wishes granted to Aladdin.
In art, we have 3 primary colors — red, blue, and yellow
At the dinner table, you have 3 pieces of cutlery — spoon, fork, knife.
Steve Job’s 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech is a fine example that employs the Rule of 3.
He used a message map in 3 steps
First is the Headline
The headline is supported with 3 key messages
Under each key message, he had organized his storytelling into 3 points.
Steve Job’s talk can be viewed on Youtube.
It would be more effective if he had added more images and elaborated his rule of 3 speech. But that was back in 2005 when he spoke at the podium during his Stanford Commencement Speech and there were no visual aids used.
Forward to 2009 TED talk by Bill Gates Ted talk about “Mosquitoes, Malaria and Education” — nicely categorized under 3 headings, yet each category has poignant and relevant slides that drove the message home.
Bill Gates told the story simply. As the images were flashed, we see only relevant headings that did not clutter the images.
His statistical slides were also clean-cut and attractive.
He also used a short animated video to show the increased or decreased effect of an outcome.
3 Speakers use special techniques
1) Using Humor
Humor lowers defenses and makes the audience more receptive. The audience loves humor and if you package your message around it, it will be more impactful.
A good example is employed by Bill Gates in his TED talk about the elimination of mosquitoes worldwide. He mentioned that “there is more money put into baldness than malaria drugs. Baldness is a terrible thing and rich men are afflicted that’s why the priority has been sapped” — —This elicited a smile from the audience who found it amusing.
He then opened the container to release some mosquitoes. He said, “ I brought these to let them roam around a bit; There is no reason why only poor people should have the experience” causing a burst of laughter. Meanwhile, behind him, an image of a mosquito drawing blood from the skin was displayed.
2) Using rhetorical devices like analogies and metaphors
An analogy is a clear comparison that something is like something to explain the situation better. You are comparing two different things that share similarities.
Eg Life is like a race
A metaphor is an implied comparison that something is something else with the same similarities.
Eg My baby brother is a cute little teddy bear.
These rhetorical devices are effective because they paint vivid imagery of the object or the situation that allows a clearer understanding in the audience’s minds.
They are also a more colorful and entertaining way of expressing the words making them more poetic, persuasive, and pronounced.
3) Using relevant quotes — -Motivational, inspirational, and realistic quotes by famous people help the audience develop a new perspective, enlighten them or shock them into reality. Many of these quotes are so wise that they continue to ring in the audience’s ears long after reciting them.
Examples;
The quality of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts — -Marcus Aurelius
Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity — Nat Turner
Quotes may be used in the beginning or in the conclusion to give additional impact to the message. Many times, a good quote has lingered in my mind so I know it can be effective.
In Summary, to make messages stick;
1. Use the multi-sensory experience of visual, auditory. Taste, smell, and touch where applicable
2. Deliver your message in a package of 3 headings.
3. Use special features like humor, rhetorical devices, and effective quotations.
May your speeches from now on be like a precious gift to your audience that they would forever cherish your message and carry out your appeal for action.
Happy, my dog’s daily perspective
6th Feb 2022 1 min read
Do you know what I do most of the time?
In your absence, the cats ignore me completely
I potter around, tried their food, even ease myself indiscriminately
Finally, with a blank look, I plonk myself behind the sliding glass
When the doorknob turns, it’s already dusk
I look into your eyes and knows that we could cozy up to each other
Just for that, nothing else in the world would matter.
***First posted in FB 10 years ago.
I discovered that in a seemingly mild activity……
Summer Lotus 4th Feb 2022 4 min read
I turned 64 in January this year and the song “When I am sixty-four” by the Beatles rang in my mind. I looked around and find that a handful of friends have already retired or preparing to do so.
Used to be, 64 means ‘retirement’. It means ‘slow down. It means ‘Just relax’. Not in today’s world. 64 is the time of enlightenment, wisdom, and golden opportunity.
Do I want to retire? Not really as I do love my job. But there are so many interesting activities to explore and I would need a good balance to have my cake and eat it too. As I continue in my quest to hand the baton to my younger colleagues to free up some time for myself, I found that it was quite liberating. Indeed, life is so interesting in today’s world and I have been caught up in my routine for a long time.
My first new activity was to join a line-dancing community group near my home in October 2021. Near my home, in a courtyard, I have noticed that the line dancing mates are always gathered around 7 pm on most weekday evenings. There was a maximum of 25 people allowed due to the Covid-19 restrictions, and everyone is socially distanced and masked.
As the music was played, the dance mates, mostly in the 60s range but some in their late 30s, would move as a unit, generally smooth and soothing in their ways. I thought it would be too slow for me as I am rather impatient.
One evening, I found a slot available and joined in. They were welcoming. The instructor would always rehearse the steps sometimes in phases depending on which ‘wall’ we face. The music played and the participants were good! They moved in step and rhythm with the songs, some of which seemed tricky to me.
I conceded that I felt like a spoiled sport, unable to remember the instructions and often turned to the wrong directions and was totally out of step, even tripping all over myself. Fortunately, I have a thick hide and the propensity to forgive myself plus the determination to pursue anything that I want to learn.
I learned that success in line-dancing lies in knowing the basic steps and having frequent practices, especially at home. It is first essential to know that the dance steps are all unique and there are so many to master! I learned about grapevine, coaster step, step-touch, twinkle step, Mambo step, etc.
It was fascinating. My 64-year-old legs would have to wake up and respond accordingly if I want to fall in nicely with the group and not become a pariah of a seasoned group of dancers. As I practiced and memorized these steps, some basic dances became easier during the sessions. I felt a sense of accomplishment whenever I could dance with the group.
It helped a lot that we were a cohesive, friendly, and happy bunch! People never fail to teach patiently when they are asked. Because of that, I did not want to waste their time nor disappoint them for future gatherings so I would do my homework too.
It’s been four months since I joined the line dancing group and some members have been enjoying this activity for as long as 8 years! It is no wonder that they are so elegant, natural, and fluid in their movements.
I have at least 6 songs under my belt now that I could dance to without disrupting the group’s harmony. It would require more sessions and practice for me to integrate and move as one unit with them.
Along with this seemingly smooth and harmonious activity, I have reaped a lot of benefits. Physically, I feel more upbeat and agile, especially when there are people in their 70s who could move so gracefully on the dance court. They inspire me to stay active and refined.
I have made many nice friends, many of them who wisely ended their illustrious careers in their 60s to explore and enjoy life to the maximum in many ways.
Line dancing is a great way to boost my brain cells activity, improving my memory as well as my reflexes. Remembering all the necessary steps and moving in tandem with the body is such an exhilarating feeling. With the music rolling and the evening breeze blowing, Oh, what a great sensation! What a great life!
Yes, I am still challenging myself in other interesting activities.
A moment of reflection…..
Summer Lotus 2nd Feb 2022
The coffee always came hot
But often, I consumed it cold
I watched, pondered, and thought
It was none other than my fault
Having a chat
Solving a spat
Mind asunder
To prevent a blunder
Failing to rest
When put to the test
Looking at news
As if one is on cue
Time flies
I suddenly realize
My $8 coffee has gone cold
Nonetheless, I gulped in one go
Another lovely moment misspent
It will not happen again, I quietly vent.
(Poetry from a restless soul)