Ever wondered what makes your speaking style unique? Just like fingerprints, every speaker has their own distinct flavor, a unique blend of personality and delivery that sets them apart. Are you a fiery motivator who ignites passion in the room? Or perhaps a vulnerable storyteller who connects with audiences on a deeply emotional level? Maybe you’re a data-driven dynamo who captivates with logic and precision?
This quiz will help you uncover your primary speaking style and unlock the power of your unique voice. You may not have clear answers for some of the questions but you should aim for your preferred option out of the three choices.
1. When preparing for a presentation, you tend to focus on:
a) Crafting a powerful, emotionally charged story.
b) Researching data, statistics, and expert opinions to support your points.
c) Developing a high-energy, inspiring message that will leave the audience feeling motivated.
2. You believe the most effective way to connect with an audience is through:
a) Sharing personal stories and vulnerability.
b) Presenting compelling data and logical arguments.
c) Inspiring them with powerful imagery and motivational language.
3. You find yourself most drawn to speakers who:
a) Speak to you with openness and vulnerability.
b) Present data-driven arguments and back up their claims with evidence.
c) Deliver high-energy presentations that are full of passion and enthusiasm.
4. When preparing your presentation materials, you tend to include:
a) Personal anecdotes, emotional stories, and quotes from inspiring figures.
b) Charts, graphs, and data visualizations to support your key points.
c) Powerful imagery, motivational quotes, and calls to action.
5. Some of your speaking challenges are:
a) Even though you are passionate, you may speak a bit slower, quieter and not use a lot of gestures. This can affect engagement.
b) You don’t add enough emotion or energy into your talks because you focus on the words and what you are saying too much. You may fall into the ‘lecture trap’.
c) You often lose your place or go off on tangents, you speak too quickly and can forget to pause.
6. You believe the most important aspect of a successful presentation is:
a) Connecting with the audience on an emotional level.
b) Providing clear, concise, and well-supported information.
c) Inspiring the audience to take action and achieve their goals.
7. Your ideal speaking environment would be:
a) An intimate setting where you can connect with the audience on a personal level.
b) A professional setting where you can present data and engage in a thoughtful Q&A session. Perhaps with slides and a presentation tool.
c) A large audience where you can move around and engage with them.
8 When giving feedback to others, you tend to focus on:
a) The emotional impact of their message and its ability to connect with the audience.
b) The accuracy and clarity of their information and the strength of their supporting evidence.
c) The overall energy and enthusiasm of their delivery and its ability to motivate and inspire.
9. When speaking, some of your tendencies are:
a) You can speak slightly slower than other, using long pauses while you find your words and connect to the emotions. You are often not overly animated, even when you are passionate about a topic.
b) Delivering your content in a structured way and aiming to remember all the words. You tend to be quite well paced and have a slightly teacher based style.
c) You speak quickly and enthusiastically, often using a lot of gestures.
Scoring:
- Mostly ‘a’ answers: You are a Vulnerable/Emotional Speaker. You connect with audiences through personal stories, empathy, and emotional resonance.
- Mostly ‘b’ answers: You are a Logical/Analytical Speaker. You excel at presenting data, providing clear and concise information, and building strong arguments.
- Mostly ‘c’ answers: You are a Motivational Speaker. You are a high-energy presenter who inspires and motivates audiences to take action.
Understanding Your Speaking Style: Benefits and Challenges
Vulnerable/Emotional Speaker:
- Benefits: Connects deeply with audiences, builds strong rapport, and creates a sense of trust and intimacy.
- Challenges: Can be perceived as overly sentimental or lacking objectivity. It can also feel a little ‘slow’ when listening to these people, you may need to add more energy and date for balance.
- Key Takeaway: While vulnerability is powerful, ensure your message is balanced with actionable insights and energy.
Logical/Analytical Speaker:
- Benefits: Builds credibility, provides valuable information, and fosters trust through data and evidence. Many TED talks are delivered in this style.
- Challenges: May come across as dry or impersonal, and may struggle to connect with audiences on an emotional level.
- Key Takeaway: Incorporate storytelling and personal anecdotes to add depth and humanise your message. Remember it isn’t just WHAT you say but it is HOW you say it. Focus a bit more on energy and enthusiasm.
Motivational Speaker:
- Benefits: Inspires action, builds enthusiasm, and creates a sense of community.
- Challenges: May come across as overly enthusiastic or lacking in substance. You can focus on high energy but forget depth of content and backing your arguments up with data. You may also lose your place due to getting caught up in the moment.
- Key Takeaway: Ensure your message is backed by solid evidence and actionable insights, not just empty rhetoric. Practice slowing things down and being more controlled, this will help you establish more trust and credibility.
Overall
All of the speaking styles are helpful and useful for speakers to practice. They are equal in their strength and we encourage you to practice all. However, the key thing to work on is balance. You should still be authentic but have the ability to connec with a wide audience. This means working on the styles that aren’t as natural to you. These could be the missing pieces that are holding you back.
Why Speaker Training Matters
Regardless of your primary speaking style, professional speaker training can significantly enhance your communication skills. Training can help you:
- Develop stage presence and confidence.
- Improve your vocal delivery and body language.
- Craft compelling narratives and engaging presentations.
- Learn to adapt your style to different audiences and settings.
- Receive constructive feedback and refine your skills over time.
By understanding your unique speaking style and investing in professional development, you can unlock your full potential as a speaker and connect with your audience in a powerful and meaningful way.
Disclaimer: This quiz is intended for entertainment and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a definitive assessment of your speaking style. This often comes from more extensive training.
For those who want more speaking support, here is the link to our speaking training. It’ll help you to develop a plan to achieve your goals and build a successful coaching business.
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