September 2008 -- Your adrenaline is racing, your heart is pounding, your palms are sweating. Butterflies are flying all over the place. You try to focus and relax at the same time, hoping to recall all the important things you practiced. You notice the crowd - the noise, all those faces. You take a deep breath and begin.
Does this sound familiar? Are you down a triple break? Going for your first tournament win? Or serving it out to win the U.S. Open?
No, you are about to give a speech.
If this is you, you are not alone. Millions of people suffer these same symptoms every time they have to speak in public. In fact, the No. 1 fear in the Western world is not spiders, not heights, not even serving at break point - it's the fear of public speaking. If you search the Internet and type in "number one fear," the results are overwhelming. How can we learn to overcome this fear, and, perhaps more importantly, learn to be effective communicators in public?
As teaching professionals, we spend much of our time in front of an audience. We are "on stage" every day teaching clinics, running tournaments, and presenting budgets to the tennis committee. A tennis pro is a public speaker. I realized this after seeing Vic Braden in action for the first time. Whether teaching a small group or giving a presentation to a large audience, he presented his vast tennis knowledge humbly, but with plenty of humor and flair. He wasn't just talking to his audience, he was connecting with each person. I knew then that a successful tennis pro must embrace public speaking.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, a famous American philosopher, once said: "Speech is power, speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel." All good public speakers share common traits: They are confident; they speak clearly and at a comfortable pace; they use humor and personal anecdotes; they use peoples' names when they address a smaller group; they don't overload the audience with facts and figures; they understand there is a balance between entertaining and providing information. And they are genuine. They allow their own personalities to come through. This sounds like a lot to master, but so does hitting a moving ball, with a moving racquet, attached to a moving body. It takes practice.
But improving your public speaking skills is integral to developing as a professional. It could be the difference between candidates for a job, or the difference between moving from head pro to director of tennis. As you improve your skills, you'll be able to wrap up a tournament or an event with a strong speech, or perhaps present at your next tennis conference. This is taking your game to the next level.
In addition, technology is making it possible to increase your exposure if you're prepared. At our club, we've been using youtube.com posts to promote clinics and events. Video analysis is also becoming more popular (sending students home with a DVD showing their strokes, along with some key reminders from you, is a great teaching tool). These are both opportunities that require good public speaking skills.
So how can we take our speaking skills to the next level? Here is Public Speaking 101:
- Speak clearly at a reasonable pace - not too fast, not too slow
- Eye contact: You must look people in the eye
- Body language: good posture, no wasted movement, but use gestures naturally to emphasize your points
- Humor and personal anecdotes: These help people relax and make you more accessible
- Concise: Don't overload an audience (or a student!) with too much information - a few key points is all anyone can remember
- Catch phrases: Repeating easy-to-remember phrases helps people remember (solve the riddle, down the middle), develop some of your own
- Repetition: It can be boring if overdone, or not done properly (the professionals call it syntactic patterning), but it is necessary to help people remember when they only have their ears to rely on
- Involve, engage and interact with your audience
These are the basics, but there are many other ways you can improve:
Observe the prosWatching TV is a start. Especially during an election year, we are treated to many speeches - notice how candidates present themselves and connect with their audience. Also notice the structure of their speeches (the press conferences at sporting events are entertaining and learning experiences). Often professional athletes demonstrate how not to do it. Compare and determine which styles might work for you. It is OK to "borrow" from the professionals - just as you might encourage a student to think of Nadal's forehand, or Federer's serve. This is what artists call their "influences."
Attend your USPTA divisional convention and/or USPTA World ConferenceBesides learning a thing or two about the latest developments in the tennis industry and earning educational points, these events will allow you to observe tennis and speaking experts in action. Every divisional convention has usually one or two key speakers. During the World Conference, there are many more. They have all been invited to deliver a different message with their distinct personal styles, but they also have far more in common than you might think. They are all good storytellers, they all use humor, they all involve the crowd with various techniques, and they all open and close strong. Make an effort to meet them (it never hurts to compliment) and ask a few questions. You can walk away with one or two tips for your own development. Mark McMahon once told me to exit with a "Big Bang"; Peter Burwash advises to tell stories with a message; Vic Braden likes to make people laugh. By collecting all these little tips from peers, you will begin to shape and structure your own style.
Vic Braden: "Laugh and win!"
Consider joining Toastmasters International
Since 1924 this nonprofit organization has helped more than 200,000 people develop their speaking and leadership skills. In the United States alone there are 7,449 clubs. Most meet either for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and the first few visits are usually free. In a "no-pressure" setting, people are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and prepare and deliver short speeches. Presenting on nontennis-related topics is a new challenge and will contribute to your development. Speeches are evaluated weekly; you will receive encouraging and instructive feedback. As you increase your ability, you can move up in levels: Distinguished Toastmaster or Advanced Toastmaster. For the serious and competitive speakers there are local, regional and national speaking contests. Check out their Web site at toastmasters.org.
International Toastmasters: "Speak up, your future is listening!"
Participate in a Dale Carnegie course
This organization has an outstanding reputation for training people in management, leadership, sales, etc. They offer a two-day seminar on public speaking in select cities. It's not cheap, but view it as an investment. You can score serious points with club owners and managers with this on your resume.
Dale Carnegie: "Fear doesn't exist anywhere, except for in the mind"
"Public Speaking for Dummies"The "Dummies" books have been an incredible success story. Written by Malcolm Kushner, this book is an easy way to get started. It provides you with 382 pages of information, yet it is still an easy read with "quick tips" and lots of useful suggestions and ideas.
Malcolm Kushner: "Lead with Laughter"
Participate in your USPTA Divisional Seminar Contest
Most divisions organize a contest for members to prepare and deliver a short presentation. This has proved to be a great platform to step up and speak in front of a larger group than you might be used to at your club. Keep your eye on the divisional newsletter to find out when the next local convention takes place. Many participants in these divisional events have been invited to present at the USPTA World Conference.
Marcy Rubinstein (2002 Winner National Seminar Contest): "Take a risk ... get out of your comfort zone and see the success of your efforts soar."
That is what it's all about: leaving your comfort zone. Just as you coach your students to apply a new strategy or a new stroke in a match, you need to find opportunities to hone your skills. Start small and increase your audience gradually. Invite your club manager and/or tennis committee members to these events and demonstrate your new off-court prowess. Aim big: Maybe your name will be headlining the next USPTA World Conference!
Hans Römer, USPTA, is currently director of tennis at the Portland Country Club in Maine and coaches the women's tennis team at the University of Southern Maine. He has presented at several USPTA World Conferences, the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, the ITA Coaches Conventions and numerous divisional conventions. As former president of International Toastmasters Club No. 24, he has published many articles in U.S. and Dutch tennis publications. 
