On May 6, 2024, the Management Communication course at theCollege of Management welcomed Mr. Zou Shu, the founder of China's first stand-up comedy club and a seasoned performer with over 1000 shows in both Chinese and English. Mr. Zou delivered an engaging lecture on public speaking to studentsmajoring in the Information Management and System, fostering a lively and interactive classroom atmosphere.
The session began with Mr. Zou introducing the "Tick-Tock Game" to delve into the significance of thinking and reaction in communication. He provided practical guidance by discussing various levels of expression and their applications in both professional and academic settings.
Mr. Zou emphasized that in the workplace, effective communication is more than just the transfer of technical knowledge or principles—it's about human interaction. He highlighted the importance of understanding communication nuances and adapting one's expression to different contexts. He also differentiated between communication and public speaking, underscoring the latter's significance and dissecting the aesthetics and capability map of public speaking.
Mr. Zou categorized public speaking into five levels: appearance, content, structure, audience engagement, and personal charisma. He detailed the importance of presentation, voice, and stage presence at the appearance level; precision and relevance of language and material at the content level; clarity of structure and logical sequence at the structure level; andthe accuracy, feasibility, and leadership of the speech objectives at the audience engagement level. The personal charisma level demands the speaker's individual magnetism and depth.
Mr. Zou further explored the essence of expression, categorizing it into emotional expression (art) and rational expression (science). He stressed that expression is central to both.
The workshop's climax featuredMr. Zou's insights into the strategies and purposes of public expression, as well as its logical structure. He introduced the Olive-shaped structure of public speaking, consisting of opening, body, and closing, and explained logical frameworks such as PRE (Position, Reason, Example) and NVS (Need, Vision, Solution) to help students organize their speeches effectively.
Mr. Zou concluded by emphasizing the focal points of expression: "C Drive" (how others perceive us) and "D Drive" (how we present ourselves to others). By considering others' feelings and one's own mode of expression, communication can be more effective and lead to better outcomes.
The course was highly acclaimed by students who appreciated Mr. Zou's profound yet comprehensible explanations and his dynamic, engaging teaching style. They expressed that his guidance has equipped them with valuable skills and strategies for self-expression, boosting their confidence in various settings.
College of Management
May 9, 2024
