5 Surprising Public Speaking Scenarios

Amanda Hennessey

Sep 7

2 min read

Updated: Oct 15

Public speaking isn't just appearing on stage in front of hundreds of people.

In my years as a public speaking coach, I've helped my clients prepare for every type of scenario you can think of -and some that you may not event consider.

To prevent you from being caught off guard in one of these situations, here are five public speaking scenarios that might surprise you.

Someone Asks, "So, What Do You Do?"

Whether you're at a party or sitting in the back of an Uber, this question is bound to come up. So, how do you handle it?

Do you ramble on and on about your workload and all the different tasks you do each day, until you realize it's been thirty minutes and you haven't taken a breath?

Does the pressure make you feel tongue tied, leaving your answer vague and awkward?

Yep, sounds like a moment that calls for some speaking skills!

A Job Interviewer Says, "Tell Me About Yourself."

The dreaded open ended question. Do you start at your birth? Do you tell them about the time you met LeBron James in an elevator? Do you brag about your professional accomplishments?

Wouldn't it be great to know what to say so that you feel confident, and the interviewer completely understands your answer?

You Introduce Yourself to the New Boss

You want to come across relatable and competent.

How do you do that in the span of one handshake?

A First Date!

Even if meeting someone for a drink sounds far from giving a talk, it actually requires the same skills! Creating presence, telling a memorable story, focusing the center of your attention - don't these sound familiar?

Going to a Wedding...Where You Don't Know Anyone

Ever get invited to that distant cousin's wedding you haven't seen in 15 years? Going to a party or a wedding where you don't know anyone can be daunting. It's such a time commitment, and you can't rely on a group of friends or close relatives to keep you company!

Having fun while being authentic in an environment where you don't know anyone very well can feel impossible. But let me assure you that it's not! All you need to begin is some reframing and some practice.

5 Surprising Public Speaking Scenarios

Public speaking isn't just appearing on stage in front of hundreds of people.

In my years as a public speaking coach, I've helped my clients prepare for every type of scenario you can think of -and some that you may not event consider.

To prevent you from being caught off guard in one of these situations, here are five public speaking scenarios that might surprise you.

Someone Asks, "So, What Do You Do?"

Whether you're at a party or sitting in the back of an Uber, this question is bound to come up. So, how do you handle it?

Do you ramble on and on about your workload and all the different tasks you do each day, until you realize it's been thirty minutes and you haven't taken a breath?

Does the pressure make you feel tongue tied, leaving your answer vague and awkward?

Yep, sounds like a moment that calls for some speaking skills!

A Job Interviewer Says, "Tell Me About Yourself."

The dreaded open ended question. Do you start at your birth? Do you tell them about the time you met LeBron James in an elevator? Do you brag about your professional accomplishments?

Wouldn't it be great to know what to say so that you feel confident, and the interviewer completely understands your answer?

You Introduce Yourself to the New Boss

You want to come across relatable and competent.

How do you do that in the span of one handshake?

A First Date!

Even if meeting someone for a drink sounds far from giving a talk, it actually requires the same skills! Creating presence, telling a memorable story, focusing the center of your attention - don't these sound familiar?

Going to a Wedding...Where You Don't Know Anyone

Ever get invited to that distant cousin's wedding you haven't seen in 15 years? Going to a party or a wedding where you don't know anyone can be daunting. It's such a time commitment, and you can't rely on a group of friends or close relatives to keep you company!

Having fun while being authentic in an environment where you don't know anyone very well can feel impossible. But let me assure you that it's not! All you need to begin is some reframing and some practice.

Let's get started!

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Public speaking isn't just appearing on stage in front of hundreds of people.

In my years as a public speaking coach, I've helped my clients prepare for every type of scenario you can think of -and some that you may not event consider.

To prevent you from being caught off guard in one of these situations, here are five public speaking scenarios that might surprise you.

Someone Asks, "So, What Do You Do?"

​

Whether you're at a party or sitting in the back of an Uber, this question is bound to come up. So, how do you handle it?

Do you ramble on and on about your workload and all the different tasks you do each day, until you realize it's been thirty minutes and you haven't taken a breath?

Does the pressure make you feel tongue tied, leaving your answer vague and awkward?

​

Yep, sounds like a moment that calls for some speaking skills!

​

​

A Job Interviewer Says, "Tell Me About Yourself."

​

The dreaded open ended question. Do you start at your birth? Do you tell them about the time you met LeBron James in an elevator? Do you brag about your professional accomplishments?

​

Wouldn't it be great to know what to say so that you feel confident, and the interviewer completely understands your answer?

​

​

You Introduce Yourself to the New Boss

​

You want to come across relatable and competent.

​

How do you do that in the span of one handshake?

​

​

A First Date!

​

Even if meeting someone for a drink sounds far from giving a talk, it actually requires the same skills! Creating presence, telling a memorable story, focusing the center of your attention - don't these sound familiar?

​

​

Going to a Wedding...Where You Don't Know Anyone

​

Ever get invited to that distant cousin's wedding you haven't seen in 15 years? Going to a party or a wedding where you don't know anyone can be daunting. It's such a time commitment, and you can't rely on a group of friends or close relatives to keep you company!

​

Having fun while being authentic in an environment where you don't know anyone very well can feel impossible. But let me assure you that it's not! All you need to begin is some reframing and some practice.

​

Let's get started!

Comments