Let Your Voice Be Heard

March-like winds and rain have roared into New York, killing a few umbrellas yesterday in the process.  


While I have been (really!) enjoying milder winter temperatures, it's hard to ignore direct connections to warmer temperatures, warmer oceans, rising sea levels and long terms implications of what 'climate change' means for natural resources, species and our world population before it became politically-charged term.


Last night some of this was addressed at a "Discources in Science and Nature" event series at the NY Academy of  Science, where a couple of our scientists and other scientists were part of a panel discussion about "Energy for the Next 20 Years."   (A subject matter also not politically neutral...In fact, nothing like a debate about nuclear power to completely distract questions related to New York State's looming decision about hydrofracking!)


Some of the dense subject matter was not for the lay-person.  What struck me most was how the better speakers kept my attention, and caused me to think about things a bit differently. 


Interestingly, Seth Godin wrote a post about this this morning, which I think is useful to remember in any 'speaking occassion' you have, even if it's just one on one.  


 I remember once at a presentation skills class the coach said to us: "Remember, people are rooting for you. They don't want to sit there and be bored.  They don't want you to dial it in. They want to learn something, they want to be engaged, they want to be inspired."   


In other words, it's not about you!


Here's Seth's post.  Connection is everything! 

It's extremely difficult to read a speech and sound as if you mean it.

For most of us, when reading, posture changes, the throat tightens and people can tell. Reading is different from speaking, and a different sort of attention is paid.

Before you give a speech, then, you must do one of two things if your goal is to persuade:

Learn to read the same way you speak (unlikely)

or, learn to speak without reading. Learn your message well enough that you can communicate it without reading it. We want your humanity.

If you can't do that, don't bother giving a speech. Just send everyone a memo and save time and stress for all concerned.