Passion--The Mark of a Great Speaker

I have heard numerous great speakers but those who I most enjoy are those who speak with passion. These speakers excite and inspire me to make changes in my life whether it applies to my attitude, habits or whatever. To say the least, hearing a great speaker is a real treat. I heard such a speaker on Sunday at my church. She had great pronunciation, articulation, and gestures but most of all, she spoke with passion, providing examples from her life to emphasize and help us remember important points. The speaker was Priscilla Shirer, whose list of credits include bible teacher, motivational speaker and corporate trainer for international motivational speaker Zig Ziglar's company Ziglar Training Systems in Dallas Texas.

Three days later I still remember several points from her speech. She told a story about walking down the street one day when she was pregnant and exchanging greetings with another woman who appeared to be pregnant. After the woman asked her what was her due date, Priscilla responded and asked her the same question but the woman's smile began to disappear and she responded, "I'm not pregnant." Priscilla said chills still run down her spine when she thinks about that conversation. She used the story to illustrate that things do not always appear as they are. I may never forget this story. To emphasize the importance of having a quiet place to pray and that God is always there when we pray, she told another story about her friend who uses her closet as a place to pray. She said her friend even places a chair beside her as a reminder that the Lord is always there. I thought, what a great way to remind yourself that God is with you.

Don Imus Engaged in Risky Public Speaking

Radio jockey Don Imus has no doubt gained notoriety as a high profile public speaker. Political leaders and other well-known people are among those who listen to his radio show but because he called the Rutger's University women's basketball team, "nappy headed hoes," advertisers and future guests are disassociating themselves from his show. Imus' rude comment is what I call, risky public speaking. He took advantage of his popularity and public platform by saying something that was potentially very hurtful to women, particularly African American women. He didn't even realize how insensitive the comment was until he received e-mails, etc. criticizing his behavior.

Imus is obviously talented enough to attract a huge audience of listeners who find him interesting, entertaining and probably knowlegeable about current events. He's been in the business for a long time. Part of his likability appears to be his lose tongue and witty and even crude comments but occassionally he has crossed the line by severely insulting someone or a group of people. This is risky behavior. When a public speaker tells a joke that can be viewed as racist, sexist or biased in some way, he or she is taking a risk, particularly if the speaker is a highly public figure and very influential. Such public speakers should be more sensitive than others, knowing that they have a huge responsibility to the public and must be accountable for all that they say and do. In other words, their success brings them lots of power and influence and just as much responsibility. Fortunately, in America, if highly influential public speakers don't censor themselves, the public will.

Some Believe Hypnosis is An Option

I was watching a new show which focused on people's fears. Public speaking was a fear one guest had, actually one of the producers of the show. She allowed herself to be hypnotized on the show to help overcome her fear of public speaking. After she'd been hypnotized the host gave her note cards to read a speech which she read and appeared not be nervous like she had been earlier in the show. She was also hooked up to a heart rate monitor which indicated her heart rate was about 130--relatively high but not as high it was earlier in the show. I wonder would most people consider hynotism to overcome public speaking fears. I know that I wouldn't.

You Never Know When There's A TV Camera

When you speak in public, you never know when there's a television camera. During a domestic violence forum after a panel of experts and a former victim spoken, the moderator invited the audience to ask questions. Many responded including me. There were four television cameras pointing towards the panel and a mike for the audience. So, if one asked a question, it was possible he or she would be seen on television. When I asked my question, I wanted to make sure that I presented a good image. I think I looked professional, my clothes, hair, shoes . . . And, I think I was articulate. I don't know whether I made it on television or not but at least I made a good effort.

It's important to dress appropriately when you speak to an audience if you want to present the best image and impression possible. If you present a not-so-good image, you can't take the image away once it's in someone's head. The well-known adage, "first impressions are lasting," is very true. It means people have a hard time letting go of their first impressions of others, making it hard to change those impressions. The bottom line to this is although you can't control others opinions of you, you can certainly try your best to influence their impressions. That is, if you care what they think of you.

Long-winded Speakers

Have you ever attended an event with speakers who spoke too long? Well, I attended one recently. The event was held outside on a beautiful sunny day. The audience stood around listening to each speaker as the sun beamed on them and they grew noticeably impatient. It appeared as though no one set a time limit on speaking. Politicians and others acknowleged their counterparts in the audience, made inside jokes, and provided too many details about the purpose of the event. It should have been obvious to the speakers that people were tired of standing in the sun but instead they selfishly took advantage of the limelight and their gift for gab by extending the program beyond its planned 30 minutes. It became painfully obvious that people were tired of waiting for the conclusion when at least 10 people in close proximity to each other walked away from the event.

As a public speaking educator and practitioner, I hope to file the event tightly into my memory and never fall into the long-winded speaker trap. Even a great speaker can lose favor with an audience when he or she talks too long!