…is the Hero

Not having intensity does not mean that the audience will not appreciate a well through through and rehearsed speech, or will easily excuse a haphazardly put together presentation or structure.

Indeed, the audience is the hero of the entire event. Not you as the speaker. Nancy Duarte, a communications guru, clearly states this in her book, Resonate. That as the speaker, you are not Star Wars hero Luke Skywalker. That is the audience, and you are Yoda, the wings behind Luke.

Starting with a perspective and analysis of the audience is important. What is their expectation, background, goal, need, orientation at the time of your talk. More non this later. But I encourage my students and executive participants to start with the audience in mind, Vs. what they want to say first.

These two principles were applied quite rigorously by our own Speech All-Stars.

Case study 1….

Case study 2…