Who is the hero of a speech?

Most of us are accustomed, whether we acknowledge it or not, to cast ourselves in the role of hero of our own life.  Apologies to Dickens and David Copperfield, but for most of us, it's a foregone conclusion. 

What happens when we give a speech?  The temptation becomes irresistable.  After all, you are the one who is standing up in front of everyone else, talking, laying bare your feelings, moving the audience to action.  If ever there were a heroic moment, that's it, right?

Wrong.  Think instead of casting the audience members in the role of the hero.  They are the ones going on the journey -- if the speech is to be successful.  They are the ones who will learn something, change their minds, decide to act, become inspired.  They are the ones in whom the speech will live, if it does.

So make the smartest move of your public speaking life and allow the audience to shine.  Allow that sea of faces out there to become the hero.  It will change how you think about public speaking, for the better.

How does it work in practice?  Spend your time developing the speech with the audience in mind.  Ask yourself, where are they at the beginning of the speech, before the journey?  How can I persuade them to pay attention, realize that something has to change, begin the journey with me?  What shall I say for their ears, not for my ego?

When you're giving the speech, focus on the audience.  Make it about them.  Ask them how they're doing.  Interact with them.  Challenge them at appropriate moments of your presentation. 

And after the speech is done, follow up.  What did they get out of the experience?  What feedback do they have for you?  How can you make the journey more compelling the next time?

The audience is the true hero.  Pay attention to its story. 

Comments

[TJ Walker tjwalker.com]

Great points. Good speakers make themselves the star of their speech. Great speakers make their audience the stars of their speech. TJ Walker www.speakingchannel.tv