Speaking Of...

The Voice of Calm, in a Storm of Uncertainty

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:17:34 GMT

The news from Wall Street and Congress wasn't good today. The expected passage of the economic bailout didn't take place in the US House of Representatives. Twenty three votes separated the yeas from the nays.

How will politicians and business leaders respond? One response was a steep bailout on the New York Stock Market, and other world markets. What will our leaders say to explain, and remedy the situation? I'll be listening, as will many of you.

As speakers and leaders ourselves, we have the opportunity to be the voice of calm in the larger storm. Will we let the storm carry our messages of hope with it? Here is a golden chance, in my mind, to use communication to heal and rebuild. I hope all leaders use it as such.

Tags: calm, stock market bailout

The Speaker's Struggle--Facts versus Meaining, Part 2

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:15:35 GMT

What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about making complex facts and information understandable to my audiences. In my career, which for the past 20+ years has been healthcare, I've come to realize that the more complex the field becomes, the harder it is to communicate to our customers, whether they are patients or colleagues.

We can overwhelm them with facts, technology, etc., yet what they crave is someone who will listen and give them feedback that matters to them. We can hide behind our extensive and technical training, hoping that professional expertise will impress them. Yet what they crave is to make sense of the confusing information they hear from our and others' mouths, and read in the communication they get from corporate sources. They're searching for meaning.

Case is point, a recently released study that showed the disconnect between communication in the Emergency Room and the patients receiving it. Patients not only have a hard time understanding what goes on in the ER, but they will make serious missteps in their own healthcare because of it. This article gives more details, and is a wake up call to healthcare professionals.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/health/16emer.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=science

As speakers we walk a fine line between sharing our expertise and confusing our audience, even if it is only an audience of one. Are we getting the meaning we intend across to those we speak with? Are we checking in with them to be sure?

Tags: meaning, healthcare communication

My New Business...It's Launched!

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:21:13 GMT

http://smilebox.com/play/4e4459354e6a59314d5877354d6a41314e7a4d310d0a&sb=1

Copy and paste the link into your browser if it doesn't work at first.

Cheers, Marilyn

The Speaker's Struggle, Part 1, "Passion versus Fear"

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:15:24 GMT

The dreaded F word--fear. Even experienced, professional speakers get it. The less experienced may even have it as a constant companion. How do you break through fear, and speak your message with confidence and conviction?

I believe you do it by being more passionate and committed to getting your message out than you are fearful. I recently completed a several month coaching relationship with a speaker who had and still has fear and anxiety even thinking about speaking with groups. The grip of fear is still so strong that she turns down chances to speak about subjects she is intensely passionate about.

I challenged her, and I challenge you, to shine a light on the fear, and IF it's something you want to overcome, here's an exercise you can do. In coaching it's called a decisional balance. List out, after taking some time, all the reasons you can think of:

How I benefit from speaking more.....

How I benefit from not speaking more....

This may take more time than you think, over several days or weeks. That's OK. Make no mistake--it's perfectly fine not to pursue speaking opportunities, and to work on those talks you must do for business, or in other areas of your life. If you want to take your speaking to beyond this 'must do' level, I contend that the Passion must overcome the Fear.

Interestingly, a decisional balance list like the one I suggest above, can show you parts of yourself you haven't taken much time to consider before. I hope you find the exercise useful, and for some of you, a way to propel forward in your speaking life.

Tags: fear, passion, decisional balance

My Road Trip

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:36:45 GMT

A scene from Antietam National Battlefield, "Bloody Lane" and Pennsylvania monument. Looks remarkably like this in 2008, due to the efforts of battlefield preservationists.

Just returned from a week away, on the road, and taking a much needed break. Took a driving trip through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, visiting some Civil War battle sights and museums.

It is always fascinating to listen to speech in other states and regions of the USA. Maryland, though technically part of the USA during the Civil War, is really, as a friend reminded me, part of the South in many ways. The Southern twang is evident as you travel further down the state, and is pronounced in Virginia. I found myself listening intently to people speaking in order to understand what they were saying. Local dialects are alive and well in the USA, something speakers need to consider when tailoring a speech to an audience or region they're not familiar with.

In some ways life seems little changed in the southern states I've traveled to. Curiously, though, I noticed during this trip that the television news anchors had no hint of a Southern accent. Wonder what that says about how audiences now perceive 'standard' English in the USA.

Tags: travel, local dialects

Republican Convention 2008

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:19:54 GMT

Sorry, no comments about their speakers. Not impressed by any of them, or their messages.

Tags: Republican Convention

Memorable Speeches-Democratic Convention 2008

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:12:12 GMT

I confess, I didn't watch the 2008 Democratic Convention from gavel to gavel. Instead, I relied on You Tube to watch and listen to the speakers I wanted to hear, after reviewing the entire list of scheduled speakers. So my ranking below isn't all inclusive, it's a short summary of why I thought each speaker scored (or not) with the audience.

Bill Clinton-my ranking: A. Clinton connects with people in a way most speakers envy, even if they don't share his political views. He addressed the audience in the convention hall, not the larger audience, and in doing so he remembered the first speaking rule--connect with your live audience. If the message resonated with others, that was the bonus. He came right out and made his point that both he and Mrs. Clinton were endorsing the candidate. He did this forcefully, and left no doubts.That question was on everyone's mind, and he answered it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbZuVa4eS-A

Michelle Obama-my ranking: C-. An average speech, from a less than powerful speaker. A wife endorsing her husband seems like a slam dunk, but in my opinion it almost fell flat. Reason--no real emotion, vulnerability, or power behind the words. Saving grace--her daughter's impromptu greeting to their father while watching him on camera, after the speech. Can't script that.

Bill Richardson-my ranking: B+. Just a notch below the other Bill. I liked this speech because it caught the national mood, and had the touch of anger and frustration that the audience and many in the USA are feeling. Richardson gauged the mood, and caught it perfectly. His refrain, "McCain was wrong, Obama was right," was a classic technique that hammers a message home, and invited audience participation. I'm betting that he will return to the Cabinet if Obama is elected.

Hillary Clinton-my ranking: C. Why did the two women I saw onstage seem so lifeless? After all her campaigning, Hillary needs an injection of real passion when she speaks--that will inspire people to vote. Good message about her place in history though.

Joe Biden--my ranking: D. Joe told us his family history, and even used a few four letter words. NOT appropriate for this audience, or a large (and it was larger than before) TV audience. What we want to hear is why he was chosen. Hire a speech coach!

Barack Obama--my ranking: B+. Not because of the speech--it was not as persuasive as I would have liked--Richardson did a better job with this. I rank this high because of the build-up, the magnificent venue, and the audience's energy. Along with the bounce it will give him after the convention. All speakers know that bigger audiences = more energy. Wish he would have harnessed that energy better, the way the two Bills above did.

Tags: Democratic Convention, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden

Recycle Your Stories...In a Good Way

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:11:51 GMT

As speakers, we are constantly working on building great stories, stories that touch and inspire audiences. I advocate using and perfecting your own stories, because no one else can tell them the way you can.

How do you strengthen and perfect a story? You tell it over and over, to different audiences. In popular language--you recycle it. Find different ways to use it, in different speeches. Emphasize different parts of the story, depending on the point you want to make.

Several months ago, I told a story about a brief encounter I had in a local supermarket. The encounter inspired an entire speech about the power of respectful communication. That story can be told over and over again--it had three distinct characters, dialogue, and a setting with much detail that can be described in vivid words.

Consider recycling your stories, over and over. This is something many speakers never consider, and your audience will benefit from how well you tell them, after much practice.

Tags: stories

Convention Speeches

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:34:54 GMT

Barbara Jordan

Although political conventions are not followed with the same fervor today as in past years, they still showcase some outstanding speakers. This week, Democrats meet in Denver. Cases in point from the past, which you can find and listen to online:

1988 The late Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas', fiery, funny, and take-no-prisoners style held the audience's attention, and appealed to everyday Americans.

1976 The late Barbara Jordan's convention speech helped us know her better, after she caught our attention during the Watergate hearings. Jordan was this nation's first African American woman to deliver the keynote. Passion was clear in this great leader's words.

1988 The late John F. Kennedy, Jr. gave an energetic speech, introducing his uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and earned a two minute standing ovation, evoking memories of his late father and former President.

1984 Mario Cuomo's passionate tale of two Americas, in sharp contrast to the 'Shining City on the Hill,' portrayed by Reagan.

2004 Sen. Barack Obama's keynote speech, "The Audacity of Hope," stirred millions and was a preview of the 2008 candidate, who will make history when he runs this November.

I'll be watching for more examples of inspiration this week in Denver.

Tags: convention speeches

World Champion Speakers

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:48:52 GMT

These three top finishers in the 2008 Toastmasters World Championship of public speaking have many things in common. To get to this level on this stage, in front of this audience, you've worked hard, listened to much feedback, and been coached by other speakers whose skills you admire, and whose judgement you trust.

Coaching--it makes the difference. It's my niche business, working one one one , and in groups, with speakers, especially those in the healthcare field. Soon it will be my exclusive business. Check back here often to read about the launch of Speaking Of.....the business.

Tags: coaching, champion speakers, Toastmasters