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In March 20, 1775, Patrick Henry stood before the Virginia
Assembly in Richmond and delivered what many have proclaimed to
be "the greatest speech in the history of America." Why was it so
memorable? The address was filled with fervor and emotion.
The great patriot concluded his oration with these stirring words:
"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price
of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what
course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give
me death!
Powerful, memorable addresses are the result of a deep passion the
speaker has for his or her subject. It is virtually impossible to
inspire others if you are not personally committed.
I once watched an attorney give his opening statement during a trial.
He spoke in a monotone voice, droning on and on about what the evidence
would show. There was no life, no persuasion.
I could sense the jurors thinking, "If this isn't important to him,
why should it be important to me?" Remember, every audience is a
jury - voting up or down on your effectiveness.
Your objective is to change minds and move hearts. As professional
speaker Janet Fox once said to me, "Leaders understand that they
don't just sell widgets."
TRANSFER IT!
It is not enough to speak with passion and enthusiasm - you must
transfer those same feelings to your audience. The transference
comes through your voice, your gestures, your body movement and
your mastery of platform skills.
Inspiration is contagious - even more so in the hands of a capable
leader.
Nido Qubein advises, "If something is wonderful, say it like it's
wonderful; if something is sad, say it like it's sad; if something
is important, say it like it's important."
FEELINGS OF THE HEART
Perhaps the quickest way to decrease speech anxiety is to allow
the emotion of the subject to fill your heart. As speaker Roxanne
Emmerich says, "When you are so committed to the meaning of your
message you can't contain yourself, there is no energy left for
being nervous."
Can you always make a passionate speech? No. If your assignment
is to give a data-filled, informative session, follow the laws of
good speaking and stick to the numbers. You can save enthusiasm
for another time.
RAISE THE TEMPERATURE
Here's what I have learned by watching the pros. They know how to
grab the attention of their audience early, yet they don't overplay
their emotional cards during the first half of their presentation.
They let the speech simmer and build to a boil - slowly raising
the temperature along the way. Then wham! At the conclusion, everything
is bubbling over - the conviction, the intensity and the power.
Speaking coach Martha Burgess says, "It's energy that makes you
visible, that gives you presence. It's called 'performance energy,'
and is the basis of dynamic leadership."
You cannot fake enthusiasm; it must rise to the surface from deep
within. There's no substitute for that fire-in-the-belly passion
that causes your audience to feel something.
It's not what you think; it's what you believe
SHERMAN'S LAWS OF SPEAKING
* Become aware of your distracting habits.
* Keep both hands free.
* Gestures should mirror your thoughts.
* Make your movements deliberate.
* Dress conservatively.
* Don't seek perfection, but naturalness.
Rob Sherman is an attorney, speaker and author of Sherman's 21 Laws
of Speaking: How to Inspire Others to Action. Cedar Creek Press.
$14.95 plus $3 S/H. To order, call toll-free: 877-532-3372. Rob
founded the Sherman Leadership Group based in Columbus, Ohio, and
works with business and association executives who want to take
their speaking and leadership skills to a higher level.
For more information about our executive speech coaching workshops
and our highly interactive half-day or day long seminar programs,
please call the Sherman Leadership Group at 614-472-3200 or email
us at RobSherman@ShermanLeadership.com
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