Rule #5 will Make Them Raving Fans

By Deb Sofield, Public Speaking Coach

Over the next few months, join Deb Sofield as she goes through her series 15 Rules for the Physician Leader, where she outlines how a physician leader can be successful when speaking, no matter where they are... 

Rule #5: Talk about the audience – one mark of effective speaker is that they focus less about themselves and more on those who have come to hear them speak.

Most people want the speaker to know who they are and to have anticipated in some way the needs of those who are sitting in the audience. A speaker who tells stories for self aggrandizement or self congratulations (shocking but true) – will for the most part not impart great wisdom or leave the group with nuggets of truth that can help them in their life.

You, speaker, have a message or at least the title of your presentation led that audience to think you had something to offer – now you have to deliver. Talk to them, speak truth to power, and don’t be afraid. You never know when by your truth, knowledge or wisdom you change them.

Another way you can talk about the audience is to commend them for something good they have done…it will go a long way… Rotary, Sertoma, Elks…  do a great deal of community service and when you stand to speak and say thank you – you’re starting on safe ground.

A little twist to this topic is as the presenter you can take charge of the room – from where you stand you can tell if your audience is cold, hot, uncomfortable, or antsy… read and respond to their needs – that shows respect for them and they will appreciate it. I have never had an audience complain that they get too many breaks… to go the bathroom or stretch their legs.

By talking about the audience and caring for them – you will win them over.

Deb's Tip of the Month:

Be careful with Names: Let me share a new rule for the road many of us are incorporating in our speaking. If you can’t say the names of everyone in your audience – say no one’s name... people are more sensitive now than ever. So if you, speakers, call one friend over and over by name the others will wonder why you don’t call them by name. I know it is an odd comment, but I see it from the stage all the time. People want to be known and if you tend to call out the one or two people you know well and not the one you slightly know – you alienate them all.