Is Anybody Listening?

We are now into the thick of conference, convention and meeting season. Conferences, Conventions and Meetings are typically a welcomed addition to a busy work schedule. They offer an opportunity to break away from the sometimes repetitive day-to-day. They provide an opportunity to explore the world outside of the office and a chance to connect with people; people who will introduce new thinking, challenge old thinking, or expand existing thinking. Conferences, Conventions and Meetings provide immense opportunities for learning, growing and connecting.

While Conferences, Conventions and Meetings provide something to look forward to, there is almost always one element of the event that people hope, wish and pray is good and no it is not the food (but that is probably up there too). People are praying, wishing and hoping beyond all hope that the speaker is GOOD!

So what makes a good speaker?

Some would suggest that the following characteristics are what make a good speaker.

  • Confidence
  • A loud, clear voice
  • Excellent Grammar
  • An absence or lack of distracting language (umm and uhh) and gestures
  • Strong eye contact with the audience
  • Mastery of the material

What do you think? If someone has these characteristics are they guaranteed to be a good speaker?

It is likely that they will be a ‘good’ speaker, but they may not be a GREAT speaker, which is often what people are looking for when they hope that the speaker is good.

So what is the difference?

A ‘good’ speaker is a speaker who is confident, who has a loud clear voice, and who knows their material well enough to flow through it flawlessly.

A GREAT speaker on the other hand is a charismatic speaker who goes beyond the basics of a loud clear voice, confidence and knowledge. A GREAT speaker engages the audience, reads and evaluates the audience. A GREAT speaker knows their material well enough to interpret it through the lens of their audience so that they can share it in a way that is accessible and enjoyable.

A GREAT speaker doesn’t talk AT the audience, they talk WITH the audience. They are able to inject storytelling and humour into their presentation. Their eye contact and their body language is open and accessible.

A GREAT speaker isn’t afraid of their audience; they are willing to field questions, even if they don’t know the answers.  In some cases a GREAT speaker is even willing to give their audience some control, realizing that the audience might have something valuable to add. A GREAT speaker also knows how to seamlessly regain control.

A GREAT speaker inspires action, either through a practical take away or sometimes through a challenge.

 

 

Think of the best speakers you’ve ever heard, what were they like? What made them so enjoyable, inspiring or memorable?

What about the worst speakers you have ever listened to? What didn’t you enjoy?

Let us know what you think makes a GREAT SPEAKER! We want to know!

 

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Best speaker I ever heard did not actually speak about what made him special (he was a famous astronaut) but instead spoke about the power of thinking in a divergent way with both anecdotes that were personal or explanatory. It was very inspiring because he didn't just talk to us, he actually taught us something and gave us something to think about. I still use some of the anecdotes he told us regularly.

The worst speakers are always the ones that come with a slide show with tons of text that they read directly from. They may have something interesting to say but if they are just going to read something don't bother with the slides.

Thank you so much for sharing!

The speaker you mention sounds like a great speaker. I think speakers who make the audience have an "aha" moment or a "huh, never thought about it like that" moment are ones that often stick with us. That is great that he incorporate stories and anecdotes.

What you said about the worst speakers I think is true for a lot of people. Many are frustrated by presenters who come in with overloaded Power Points, reading from it. Speakers need to engage their audience, and they aren't able to if they are staring at a screen to read from it.

Thank you again for sharing!

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A good speaker always catches the attention of his/her audience. S/He will never fail the moment s/he stands in the podium the attention they attract the audience is something no one can get from the. Hence this is what one should have,just like when one writes,they automatically capture their audience from their header alone.