Public Speaking Tips From The Trenches

Many years of experience public speaking (most recently presenting for the Royal Caribbean cruise line), and listening to a host of other accomplished speakers, have taught me how to handle a lot of curve balls thrown at me. Since my presentations are always engaging, I get lots of response from the audience. Here are some "Opportunities" and "Solutions" from the trenches.

You get there and all the conditions have changed. You were promised a projector and it isn't there. There's a mike, but it doesn't work. A presentation for 20 turns out to be 100; or vice versa. They expect you to speak for 1 1/2 hours instead of 45 minutes.

Solution: The only solution to this common occurrence is to expect it and be prepared to speak--as the professional that you are--under any conditions, and supported solely by what you brought along with you.

Someone from the audience says, "Who are you?"

They're looking for some way to orient themselves, some reason to believe what you're saying.

Solution:

Answer what they want to know, not what they're asking.
Give your credentials and experience.
Ask for clarification.
Tell them who invited you to speak and where they found you and what your connection is to their organization, club, business, etc.
Mention similar lectures you've given to similar groups.
Stay with it long enough that the tension this has caused the audience is dissipated.
End with, "Does that answer your question?"

Someone from the audience blurts out, "I know that's true because I was a victim of ______. So what should I do?"

This kind of comment can come in response to the most innocuous topics, such as "Optimism."

Solution: This is not a question to answer before an audience. On the other hand you, and your audience, are now concerned about this person. Address both issues. Express your deep concern for the trauma in the person's past and ask them to speak with you afterwards, or to call your office. The number is on your handout--so you can give it your full attention.

You are losing your audience completely. There's no sign of life. Their eyes are glazing over.

Solution: This is your problem. Stop right where you are and address it. Ask the audience why you aren't reaching them and what you can do about it. You'll be off and rolling again soon.

So far you've mispronounced a name, given the wrong prize to someone, spoken into a screeching mike, and a piece of ceiling tile just fell on your head.

Solution: Get with the feelings. Stop, laugh, and say, "Don't worry. I promise not to hurt myself up here." Then continue on.

You get a catch in your throat and suddenly can't talk without croaking.

Solution: Say so. Say, "I seem to have lost my voice. Just a moment please while I find it." Take a drink of water. (Always have a water glass nearby.) If you can't talk, use amusing hand gestures and expressions. Then continue. The point is to keep the audience with you and on your side as you recoup.

You show up and it turns out they've publicized a different speech topic than you were told.

Solution: Again, acknowledge the situation, without blaming anyone. The last thing you want to do is accuse the host of having made a mistake. A good way to say this is, "I was prepared to speak on "Strengths" and I see here I'm so supposed to talk on "Personality Assessments." Smile and look assured. [pause ... while you think furiously] "And I don't want to disappoint you, so let's see what we can salvage from the situation. I'm prepared. Can you tolerate a little disorganization until I get into it?" This puts the audience squarely on your side, and - professional that you are - you improvise as you go along. Use lots of examples from the Strengths assessment!

The transparency on the screen is bouncing up and down (or something like that) despite your best efforts.

Solution: Ask the audience why this is happening? Someone will know. (Projectors bounce on a cruise because of the ship, a seafaring attendee told me.)

Corollary: When someone asks a question you can't answer, ask if anyone in the audience can. Often they can. Thank them, on behalf of the group, for their contribution, and for being there when you needed them.

Someone in the audience is trying to upstage you.

Solution: Immediately address their need to be acknowledged and get attention. Ignoring them will only make it worse. Say, "Did you say you taught Learning Theory in a college? [yes] Well then I hope you'll stay right with me here so you can help us all learn a little more. Did you have a comment on the last point I made?"

Someone in the audience tells you that your advice isn't feasible or possibly inaccurate. Or "That won't work with me/on me."

This tends to come up in self-help lectures. While I was lecturing on the "attributional style" of learned optimism, a participant called out: "You can't tell someone how to think or mess with their mind like that."

Solution: You don't have an enemy, you have your best ally! Agree with him, because he's right (and has just made your point for you). You can't make someone's life better until they realize they're in pain and are motivated enough to be willing to change some behaviors. And thinking is a behavior.

In other words, you can't change someone else's way of thinking, because that's totally under their own control. That's the point of the whole lecture--what we think is under our own control--and he's just made it for you. If you use your emotional intelligence, most 'hostile' comments from the audience are entry points for you to drive home your point. Be gentle and know that what's going on is transparent to most in the audience.

Corollary: If you get into an ego position and take comments such as that one as an attack, you'll lose the objectivity to handle them appropriately. Use your EQ!

Finally, I have a special request - Hey, send me some of your examples of "Opportunities" that have come your way and how you handled them! It's lonely up there!

Susan Dunn is a professional coach who specializes in emotional intelligence for individuals and businesses, with applications to all areas of your life.
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