Public Speaking & My Little Secret
Scott Berkun gets it right – yes, his post “Open Letter to Speakers” is squeamishly uncomfortable but rings true.
Why do we applaud and cheer when a speaker sucks? From a Canadian perspective perhaps because we are uber polite. From another, perhaps the audience is glad that the presentation is over and they can leave. Ouch, that stings.
This is a raw and touchy subject. Let’s face it, public speaking is not for those without courage – those willing to take a leap of faith, puff up their chests and attempt a flight. Often that lizard brain taunts us and asks, “What if I suck?”
Sometimes we do. How else would we improve and learn?
But Scott addresses his post to seasoned speakers who are likely being paid well and should know better. He speaks to those who don’t prepare or take the time to understand their audience. Those who believe that they are the anointed ones and everything is someone else’s job. Love his, “You are not Bono” quote.
HIs post is a worthwhile read for anyone who wears the public speaker hat – a wake up call for complacency.
And I have a secret to share.
This past spring I attended a top dollar, three day, international women’s event and all of the speakers except one (who knocked it out of the park) well, frankly, sucked. After each one finished I clapped and even stood up and applauded (as did my colleagues). But I swallowed a bitter pill and knew they were unprepared and arrogant – especially the male speaker who spoke of women as girls…sheesh, talk about not knowing your audience.
So there I was, a public speaking coach who defaulted to political correctness and did not want to be the bunch of sour grapes, to the end of only exacerbating a problem.
I know that in part it comes from a place, as a service provider and coach, of wanting to instill confidence in my clients and anyone who finds themselves on stage.
But if we don’t give out benchmarks (which very well may be that you or I have a long road of improvement ahead) how will we ever know if we truly suck?
To your voice,
Janice
Thanks for posting Scott Berkun’s blog on public speaking. I can appreciate your applauding work that is not stellar as a way to not lower the speaker’s confidence. I would do the same thing – but it always leaves me feeling “icky”.
Thanks for finding such gems on presenting and public speaking – you always find just the right topic at the right time for me.
What’s the alternative to applauding?
Stand up and turn your back to the speaker?
Remain seated?
Leave?
One suggestion is to talk to the meeting planner and be sure the word gets back to the individual and agency, if they had one, so their poor prep hits them in the pocketbook with less gigs in the future.
Thanks for the Post!
I agree Fred, what is the alternative? Years ago I would have been too polite to leave but now I will quietly exit. If the speaker does not have the courtesy to prepare they don’t respect me or the audience. I’m not talking about a speaker who is new or being hit with nerves (who I have all the time in the world for) – I’m talking about seasoned, well compensated speakers – those who know better.
One of the responses to a poor speaker is all ready rampant – audiences who default to their smart phones.
Thanks Darleen – I love Scott’s in your face and no holds barred style. Bottom line, it’s usually what everyone is thinking but too polite to say.
Janice, I’ve been in those situations as well, and I hate being a hypocrite, but like you said, I also want to support the speaker, and I don’t know what went on behind the scenes or what led to their poor performance. Well, honestly, I’ve never given a standing-O to a bad speaker, I don’t care how many people are standing up!
As you know, my frequent solution is to use the bad performance/conference as blog fodder, and I’m not afraid to post links to the event. I won’t name people’s names unless I’m praising a speaker, but I don’t have a problem saying where I was when the bad presentations happened.
This way, my own readers can learn from others’ mistakes and maybe, just maybe, someone from the conference will read what I’ve written and pay attention. Of course, I’m especially happy when there’s an evaluation and I can share my comments directly with organizers.
I could probably do more, but it’s definitely an awkward situation!
It is a creepy feeling when everyone stands up for a standing ovation and we remain seated. I’ve done it and felt the wrathful looks and questioning stares. A small but effective protest that perhaps gets others thinking.