Talking Points

Whether it’s company presentations, formal events, or delivering speeches to a live audience, we all want to be listened to and taken seriously. Here, Roopi Mohandas Lakhiani of the KL Speakers Club teaches us the art of public speaking

Roopi Mohandas Lakhiani of the KL Speakers Club discusses the finer points of public speaking

Before we dive into the practice itself, can you tell us what the KL Speakers Club (KLSC) is all about?

Roopi: The club was actually formed 1970 and its members are exclusively women who have stories to share as well as an awareness to create. It’s essentially a platform where they’re able to have their voices heard—i myself joined in 1998 as a student after attending a couple of their workshops, two years after I retired as a teacher. Initially, I was drawn by the group’s camaraderie, but what inspired me to join them and continue learning even after my retirement, was the club’s current president, Tunku Dara Naquiah. Fast forward 22 years later, after working my way up from being an assistant secretary to one of KLSC’S vice presidents, I eventually became their coach in 2009 and have since then continued to assist the women who join our public speaking course.

On the subject of KLSC’S speaking course, what does it entail?

Roopi: First off, it’s important to know that at KLSC, we focus on speaking from the heart; structure is important when you’re speaking to an audience, but there has to be a degree of flexibility, and we believe that every presentation must have a dash of humour. Your message can be more effectively delivered if you are sincere and passionate about what you are speaking about. As a coach, I base my instructions from that very belief, keeping in mind three key objectives: one, to share our stories in order to empower or inspire; two, to bring awareness so we can create a better world for generations after; and three, to delight, by looking at as well as sharing the lighter side of life.

What are some other tricks of the trade that you can share with us?

Roopi: I definitely encourage those who want to add power to their voices to watch TED Talks, Mindvalley Talks, as well as Youtube videos that teach you presentation skills. There are so many to choose from out there, and now’s the time to binge-watch!

Are there other speakers that you recommend watching?

Roopi: Dale Carnegie comes to mind immediately because I first learned my skills from his books. And in the last five years, I’ve personally met and learned from the likes of Lisa Nichols and Eric Edmeades. Nichols was the one who taught me that every single one of us has a voice to be used and a responsibility to have that voice heard. From Edmeades, I learnt that we all need to be comfortable getting our voices out there. He used to be terrified of speaking in front of an audience, but today he’s an incredible speaker who teaches you how to be the one that everyone wants to listen to and get invited back.

What are some misconceptions about public speaking that you’d like to shed a light on?

Roopi: That people are ‘born speakers’, like they were born to be onstage. Additionally, one’s accent shouldn’t matter when it comes to public speaking. At KLSC, we never make our members change their accents, because it’s what adds that uniqueness to their stories.

Does relying on virtual platforms affect the practice?

Roopi: When I was coaching the KLSC class of 2020, our sessions were interrupted by the pandemic. While the idea of Zoom classes had been suggested, I genuinely felt that coaching someone to speak is better done face-to-face. The energy you share with your audience is what propels you to be more effective. However, it’s not to say that those who speak across virtual platforms are lacking at all—if anything, I take my hat off to them as I believe they achieved the art of speaking effectively. And that’s very much an asset whether or not you’re on stage. Case in point, my students at the club have used the skills they’ve learned to coach their own children, who then use the techniques to write better essays!

A final advice for aspiring speakers?

Roopi: Let me paraphrase from Nichols, who said, ‘When you tell a story, don’t just tell it… Show the story through your voice. Someone listening to your story must be able to picture the image you are trying to present. They should be able to feel what you’re saying.’ And as for my own, it’s to be sincere, be authentic, and be inspiring.