Have you ever heard a speech from someone who seemed nervous?
Have you ever been that person that put everyone to sleep with a routine lecture?
Do you remember hearing a speaker greet the audience with, not one, but two "Good Mornings."?
Speaker: Good Morning, Everyone.
Audience: Good Morning (audience is really just settling in to their seats)
Speaker: (Loudly) I said good morning!
I'm not sure about you but I think that is very rude of the speaker.
I don't know which is the worst; the overly imposing yeller, the mumbling new guy, the monotone old guy, or the distributor of guilt trips.
All of the above options are actually not recommended options at all. Well, at least not by honest people. Before you talk in front of a group of people in 2009, I want you to think about the elements of a well delivered speech.
Preparation: I have had to give classes and speeches before. I can tell you from good and bad experience that preparation builds confidence. But you already know that. Sometimes, I need someone to remind me of the fundamentals of a well delivered message. I call that someone a friend. I can be THAT friend if you are that ugly.
Passion: Being passionate is mandatory whether you are interested in the topic or you absolutely don't give a rat's body part about the subject at hand. Why, Rellie? Because of self respect and pride. It is that simple. It doesn't matter if you are a parent lecturing your kids, a teacher teaching her students, a salesman talking to a customer, a speaker at huge conference, or if you are just trying to talk your way out of a speeding ticket. Being passionate is synonymous to your best effort. And anything less than your best is a big fat sin. Especially, if that sin leads to a $200 dollar citation. If you give an awesome passionate speech on the history of tumbleweeds then the chances of closing an important business deal, getting through to your children, enlightening your students, and getting out of a ticket are higher. Practice being passionate and the elements of passion and genuineness become a part of you.
These two key points will help present great opportunities for "US" in 2009. Have a great day my friends. And remember, "You're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone it!..People like you!
