It’s better late than never as most people say. Saying thank you to
Mr. Paul van der Vliet for an
outstanding seminar entitled “Communicate your Way to Leadership” on 19
April 2007 will never be enough. The Milton E. Bender, Jr. Auditorium
saw an overflowing audience – the event captured more than 120
participants. A full-packed auditorium had many students standing along
the aisles, sitting on the floor, tiptoeing outside the doors - most of
whom are graduating and preparing for their theses defense.
Prof. Sudip Rakshit, Vice
President for Research said, “I’ve been at AIT long enough but I have
never so many people inside the Milton Bender.” Mrs. Huimin Zhang, a student from China
remarked, “thank you for arranging the talk, the auditorium was
virtually a full house today.” Mrs. Huimin continued, “the enthusiasm
of students, probably of three faculty and a few staff as well, showed
hunger - hunger for diverse learning opportunities, be they from
external-curriculum or research seminars, or from pragmatically-themed
workshops as was arranged today. Part of the hunger may have been
satisfied by the relaxed and respectful speaker who has humour and a
humane heart.”
Mr. Paul van der Vliet holds the
title of "Distinguished Toastmaster" - the highest rank in toastmasters
International, the world's largest international training organization
for leadership and verbal communication. He is also a member of The
Professional Speakers’ Association - the International Federation for
Professional Speakers. Apart from Sweden, he has been internationally
engaged as speaker in Latvia, Denmark, Germany, France, India, Spain
and The Emirates.
A close friend of President Said Irandoust, Mr. Paul was just on a
short trip to Bangkok but during this trip, he managed to graciously
offer AIT an afternoon of his precious time to share with the AIT
community some useful tips on delivering effective presentations. There
are four major thoughts he imprinted on everyone’s mind – a) start with
a bang; b) maintain excitement, c) land softly or d) end with a bang!
Of course, he stressed, presentors should always make a clear
connection between the introduction and the ending.
According to Mr. Paul, there are 10 basic speech commands:
1. Always prepare mentally, physically and logistically!
2. Only think positively. See yourself successful.
3. Prepare your presentation but not word by word.
4. Learn your introduction and conclusion by heart.
5. Speak relaxed and show your feelings.
6. Speak with your eyes, hands, body – with all of you!
7. Smile as often as you can!
8. Simplify by using stories, metaphors and examples.
9. When you fail you succeed to learn!
10. Avoid apologizing on stage!
There were just not enough space and not enough time. Students
bombarded Mr. Paul with many good questions - a great number of which
were essentially about power relations, especially in thesis
presentation settings. Many students wished their advisors attended the
session. This resonated Professor Rakshit’s closing remarks that “ I
wish more faculty could attend.”.
For more tips on effective communication, please visit “The Speech
Clinic” at www.speechtracker.net