Content Trumps Charisma?

Over the years, I’ve learnt that, whilst gimmicks, analogies, presentation styles and approach (amongst other things) are key to good publicly delivered speeches, nothing - absolutely nothing beats having good content. If your ideas are meaningful, well thought out and liberating, then people will learn to absorb the goodness of it, whilst ignoring and or forgiving your presentation skills or lack of it.

Even though this is aimed at those in need of developing their confidence, it is important to note that, the very best communicators have learnt how to cleverly present their ideas in easily digestible chunks, that were also easy to refer to, to be appropriately implemented in times of need.

From my observation, the biggest hindrance that continues to act as a gulf between life changing thoughts and their public delivery, is the fear of the perceived versus the actual. In the sense that, the perceived fears of how badly a speech might go versus how well people might actually receive it, is big enough to deter the average person from sharing.

As someone who has been privileged to speak for over a decade, I find it important to mention that, this feeling of fear arises for everyone-no matter how good or how experienced, and at the most inconvenient moments too! Despite this, one of the major tools that the best communicators have utilised to combat this, time and time again is, a POSITIVE MINDSET!

Having an initial “Can do…This makes sense…This is good…This will be well received” attitude might sound simple to some, but has proven to be paramount and foundational towards the preparation, delivery and reception of any speech. In other words, if you don’t believe that what you have to say will be well received, why should anyone else?

Because energies and beliefs can be perceived by others, it is important to exude positivity, even within one’s self prior to the delivery of the speech itself.

If you find that coordinating your thoughts in speech like manner is still something you struggle with, be rest assured that all hope is not lost! As long as your content is true, easy to follow and presents basic levels of cohesion, then your ideas will be well received.

Always remember though, that there is a next level. It’s one thing for your ideas to be received, it’s another thing for those same ideas to be portrayed in such a manner that they excite, push an individual to want to make change and remain relevant in the mind of said individual till the time of need.

As I conclude, below are some of the things I believe all communicators (regardless of experience) should always consider when preparing a speech.

• The central thrust/idea to be shared. (So that we don’t stray unnecessarily from this theme as we build a case during the speech).

• The length of time allocated. (It is imperative that we don’t attempt to cram all we know into the little time allocated. No matter how much ones tries, or how much time one has, it will never be possible to say it all. Highlight the most important points, choose the very best highlights and then stick to time!).

• The application of each point listed (as it applies to the lives of the listeners). This is important for the aid of visualisation. “If they can see it, they can do it”. This means including occasional stories, biographies, analogies, diagrams, videos, live demonstrations...anything that helps bring each point to life.

There is a lot more that can be said and or considered, but the fact remains...If you have to deliver publicly by choice or find yourself in a non-negotiable situation either through work or by means of relationship (weddings for example) the best thing to do is to know your stuff thoroughly, practise sufficiently, and deliver confidently.

Sometimes the audience don’t react immediately, but once the truth of one’s content and the passion and enthusiasm of delivery is perceived from the audience, then the people will opt for the change that you advocate for.

Don’t let the fear of your skill level, hold back the quality of your content.

Share. Speak. Deliver!

On the 1st of September, I’ll be sharing some more practical methods which will deal with overcoming fear, nerves and the negative mindset that has hindered many from delivering the best of themselves when speaking.

Exaggeration is tempting!

The Temptation…

Because of how much easier it is to convince people with “Bigger” and “Better”, communicators are always faced with the internal battle of exaggeration.

Unfortunately, several communicators opt for, and settle with the expanded not quite true, not quite false version of events.

The question then remains: “Is there a balance that can be struck, such that one is able to utilise the sense of ‘bigger’ and ‘better’ without lying or exaggerating?”

The answer is an emphatic “Yes! But with caution.”

For example, if you spoke to 600 people during a gathering, making a remark like, “...I spoke to about 1000 people...” would fall into the category of, “Not quite true, but not quite false.”

Whereas, if you said, “I spoke to hundreds of people...”, that would class as a good way of utilising the “bigger” and “better” (which plays its part in adding credibility at times), without erring into the “Not quite true” category.

Exaggeration is one of the many points addressed at the Public Speaking Masterclass. The next one will be on the 31st of this month, in Manchester. In the masterclass, I share some more insight that I’ve been able to garner over the last decade of publicly speaking. I hope to see you there! Registration link, with further details below!

I got a 3rd Class...

As I glance through Social Media, I see several graduation images accompanied with captions like, "I just graduated with a First class...So happy to have obtained my 2:1! Chapter over, on to the next one..."

This post is for those that might have failed to attain those coveted end results for one reason or another.

I always say that my life is a testimony and people wonder why...Well, in 2015, I found out that I was awarded a 3rd class! And that even after my re-sits, I would have to wait until the following year to qualify for graduation. In that period, I didn't get grades that I could proudly post about, neither was I sure what would become of me or how I would navigate on from that point in my life.

Fast forward to now, and though I still have a long way to go, I want to use this opportunity to encourage those that might feel like they failed. You haven't! Yes, you find yourself in a position where you might need to go for some extra training, or pass through a different non-traditional route, or change short term plans altogether...because you are still alive, there is HOPE!

You might not feel worthy to post or might feel like you've let yourself and family down. But I want to personally encourage you to use this period and what you were able to gain (no matter how small), as a reminder and as part of your drive & motivation going forward.

Your grades can help, but will not determine the final outcome of your life. Take some time out to reflect on areas you could have approached better, list down all the positives that have come out of the process and time spent at university, and then with the help of some advisors, formulate a new life plan. You can still do great things in life!

In another post, I'll highlight some of the practical things I engaged in that have helped me along the way. In the mean time, please don't lose hope! Please don't give up! This set-back might be painful, but don't allow the pain hinder you. Instead channel it! All will be well!

Buying

If you knew you had to wait for a few hours before having an extremely important meeting, what would you do to occupy the time?

Because it goes against human nature to be patient, many people would spend the time whinging & moaning about the need to wait for what they thought should have been a straightforward meeting. Some would spend the time worrying about whether the meeting will still take place, whilst some would impatiently leave to do “other things”.

It’s one thing to be sure of the meeting itself. It’s another thing to Buy-in to the waiting process.

Life’s opportunities present themselves in phases, and most times, the time lapse between one phase and another can seem like an eternity. In such cases, one is tempted to moan, get annoyed, be unnecessarily anxious or even abort mission and move on to something “easier” and “more straightforward”.

In our process of waiting, there is joy to be had when we learn to appreciate the NOW, when we enjoy the free time we have, when we make full access of the resources we have access to now. Because a time will come when the meeting will be had-the next phase will begin. Will you regret not making the most of your NOW?

There is a region in Alaska where prolonged periods of darkness are experienced for up to 67 days in a row!

The “meeting” will take place soon. Be patient, but more importantly, accept and willingly make the most of the process and your NOW. Sleep more! Read more! Learn more! Let’s learn the art of Buying into the Buy-In.

"I don't have a gift..."

Someone needs to hear this!

[An excerpt from my upcoming book on purpose…]

Because many of us have tied our gifts to activities, when we can't 'easily' perform popular activities like speaking publicly, playing sports, or playing an instrument, we automatically assume that we are not gifted.

Well, here’s a reminder…

The physical outlook of our gifts are heavily dependent on our environment, our exposure and the experience we are able to garner over time.

I speak publicly because for over 20 years, I have been in an environment where I personally observed my parents consistently, passionately and effectively, publicly communicate ideas as a large part of their vocation and career. That, as well as the fact that, my environments have provided me various opportunities to regularly speak (whether I wanted to or not); that public speaking is now a verified occupation, which has only really become the case in the last few decades, and that I’ve taken time to attend several courses over the years which have empowered me to motivate more effectively.

I could go on listing how different factors have played their part in the physical expressions of my different gifts, but we will be here for a very long time, so I won’t.

Through it all, one thing has become clear to me, and that is: my gifts are first intangible and immaterial at their core.

At the core of my public speaking (physical expression), I know that the real gift I posses is the gift of motivation! This could have manifested physically as a life coach, as a counsellor, as a comedian (because believe it or not, comedians also motivate and encourage), or even as an artist. The point remains. We need to…

Stop tying our gifts to physical activities!

If something happened to my mouth, which meant I could never speak again, I would immediately turn to pen and paper, so I could motivate with my words. In fact, some of my greatest sources of encouragement have come from what I read, and not what was said, surprisingly.

That said though, I definitely still prefer to motivate via spoken word, but you get my point!

So long as there is breath in you, there is at least one unique essence and virtue which you can channel positively, regardless of the cards life deals you. Everyone has a gift…We’ve just been looking at it wrong…

I played this over and over whilst I wrote the words you’ve just read. As you play it, allow your mind wander, whilst you meditate on the true nature of your gift(s). You are more than meets the eye!