By now you probably have heard about the recent survey results in the Yale Law Women report entitled Yale Law School Faculty and Students Speak Up About Gender: Ten Years Later. Reported there, among other things, is the finding that women law students are not speaking up as much in class as their male counterparts. This has been the subject of a lot of “buzz” lately, and some commenters find these results unfortunate and of concern. I am not one of them. I find it typical. It is just exactly what I would expect women to do—and that is not a bad thing in that setting. In that setting is the key. Here is why.
Women tend to be very methodical and strategic in law school. The women law students I knew in the day were content to sit back and listen to find out which other students were prepared for class, which ones spoke intelligently when called upon, and, as a result, which ones would make good study partners. In fact, most of the young women I can remember, who had their wits about them, would not be caught dead with their hands in the air all of the time just to hear themselves talk. Most of us sat in the back of the classroom and did not attempt to get the attention of the professor. I think it just did not matter that much to women then, and maybe it does not now. I do not think it is because they are afraid to speak up, unless they are belittled and harassed by the males in the class or the professors, and that is another matter entirely.
It is not speaking up in law school that I am worried about. It is speaking up once you land the dream job and at a time when having opinions and answering questions with a strong voice and in a convincing manner is more important than a check mark on a professor’s attendance sheet that indicates you answered in a way that did not embarrass yourself.
Public speaking and advocacy is difficult, however, and law school does not teach you much about it beyond the requisite Moot Court exercise, unless you pursue an appellate or trial practice clinic. Fortunately for you, my friend Jezra Kaye of Speak Up For Success is at the ready to help you.
Jezra is a consultant to law firms and other businesses on public speaking, and she also is a woman of many other talents. Her recent newsletter describes her experience as a jazz singer, and the overlap between jazz singing—yes, jazz singing— and public speaking. Here are a few hints on public speaking from Jezra that may be helpful to you.
Using the right words is not that important. You need to focus on ideas, and the words will come. Then you need to tune into your natural speaking rhythm—the one that you use when you are in relaxed conversation. That is the rhythm that you are comfortable with and the one that will be most successful for you in public speaking.
Open your mouth. This is no time for your introverted self. Your words and your rhythm will not count for much if you are not heard. And, you do not want to incur the wrath of the judge because he or she cannot hear you. Judges tend to lose patience fast and revert to uncomplimentary monologue under those circumstances.
And, practice, practice, practice. You never can practice enough. This one really resonates with me. I do a lot of public speaking, and I over prepare for every speech I give. In fact, my best audience was my beloved English Springer Spaniel, Bailey, who listened to me practice my speeches endlessly until he died several years ago. He never complained of boredom, and he always wagged his tail at the end of the speech. I took that to be applause and loved him for it. Preparing for speeches is not as much fun any more without Bailey, but I know it is necessary. It may be time for another dog in my life.
To read more about Jezra Kaye’s Speak Up For Success project and to sign up for her newsletters, go to www.JezraKaye.com or www.speakupforsuccess.com. You will also be able to buy her recently-released novel there. I told you she was a woman of many talents……….
