This past April when Susan Boyle walked onto the stage and approached the microphone onBritian’s Got Talent, the Irish singer was judged entirely on her appearance. Her audience assumed that her performance would be a disaster and responded to her entrance most negatively and with laughter. Even after she opened her mouth in answer to Simon Cowell's questions, those in the crowd were expecting this woman to make a fool of herself. Little did they know.
When you approach the lectern for your speech or presentation, do you walk with confidence, with purpose? Is your back straight and your head held high? Do you smile at those in the audience, acknowledging their presence? How you approach the lectern or the podium or even the head of the boardroom table says a lot about you before you even open your mouth to speak.
Obviously Ms. Boyle was made fun of as she walked to the center of the stage but she did something which speaks volumes about her. She walked with confidence, with composure, and with the knowledge that she would do an excellent job. It took tremendous fortitude for her to ignore her audience’s reaction and to continue on. She possesses an inner drive and strength that is enviable by even the best of public speakers.
If your shoulders are slumped and your head is down, you are not displaying the confidence for which your audience is deserving. They came to hear you speak. For whatever the reason, you have an audience who expects and wants you to succeed. They are there for you.
You, then, must be there for them which means you must walk onto the stage believing in yourself, in your words, and in your ability to satisfy their needs. If you are unable to believe in yourself, how well do you expect to do?
Too many novice speakers are more concerned with their own ‘public speaking’ issues and give no consideration to the fact that they have an audience who has chosen (in most cases) to attend their speech or presentation.
Give them what they want but before you open your mouth to speak, before you look into the eyes of those in the audience, and before you take that breath to settle your nerves, walk with purpose. Tell yourself that you will do the best job that you can do, and let your audience see that you are pleased to be there and confident in your abilities.
