All the preparation in the world doesn’t guarantee a great speech or presentation. Nor do all the detailed statistics, slides and notecards.
At a speech’s greatest core is delivery and the ability to control yourself and connect with the audience.
That said, I’ll let you in on a little secret. With all the thousands of television shows I’ve hosted, the hundreds of speeches I’ve given, and the numerous corporate workshops led, I can also remember the period of time when I felt like I really struggled with nerves.
I’d had some personal issues going on and I found myself, “off my game” and unable to focus like I normally would when on the stage. I was “off,” dealing with a little more anxiety, feeling the heart race a bit faster, and wondering how in the world I got to this place.
So, I went back to the drawing board to get my swagger back.
I spent time reflecting on my best talks and my most engaged audiences. I analyzed how I prepared, how I started my talk or what might have led me into a situation where things became a bit uncomfortable.
So, with that, here is what I believe tied into my speaking slump.
- First, passion for something I was excited to talk about led to emotion and the emotions grabbed me and knocked me off the course and flow of my talk. Hopefully we all have passion for what we discuss. But when there are “victories” to celebrate or stories with emotional ties, sharing them gets you emotional. And that – in front of a group of co-workers or industry colleagues – can be an issue. So mentally prepare for what you might feel when delivering. That is a huge help.
- Second, is the respect and friendship with many in my audiences. Trust me, it is far easier to deliver to those who don’t really know you than it is to have a room filled with people counting on you or personally and professionally tied to you. I’ve been on a speaking circuit with rooms of people who know me personally and that presents a whole new challenge to deliver your best self. So, think about how you handle each room and those sitting in front of you.
- Thirdly … is what I believe will get you every time. The simple desire to be “perfect.” Expecting so much from yourself, demanding that you deliver every key point, and making sure you say everything the right way. That’s a big dose of pressure to take to the stage. And for about a month, I let it get the best of me.
As I broke it down further, I realized that I am at my personal best when I’m “just me.”
I’ve learned to discard the responsibility I feel to others the minute I walk in front of an audience as my primary focus. And I’ve adopted the practice of being my normal energetic self without worry for what others are thinking. That is the goal when hosting, interviewing or speaking to a group. And it has definitely paid dividends.
To this day, one of the best shows I ever remember hosting at Golf Channel came with ZERO time to prepare, as I rushed in early to handle an extra show for someone who became ill. And I remember saying “we won’t kill them with information, that’s for sure…. so, let’s kill them with entertainment value!” And you know what, our panel discussions were better, my sense of enthusiasm was higher, and I truly believe it’s because we went “unscripted” and off personal and professional knowledge and familiarity.
Don’t get me wrong… I love the big stage. And more than anything, I love the challenge that comes with delivering something that truly impacts others. What I have learned is that the goal of personal perfection or feeling the need to deliver the perfect presentation never works. We aren’t perfect… and your next presentation won’t be either.
I’ll leave you with this…. the next time you feel like a speech or a presentation put you in a strange place midstream, analyze the why and cut yourself a break – remembering that you were chosen for that opportunity and just being you is the reason why.
Remember This: A perfect speech or presentation or ceremony doesn’t exist. A well-delivered speech that’s authentic and at times unscripted is what leads to connection.
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