If you want to succeed as a speaker, don't think about speaking
It's been said that if the railroads had understood they were in the transportation business and not just the railroad business we'd be flying Union Pacific Air Lines today instead of United.
I think there's a lot to be said for that. At least it conveys the central truth that we all have to have a deeper understanding of what we do so that we keep the big picture in mind and prepare for the changes and challenges of tomorrow.
Other examples of this have been suggested: Why didn't Sony come up with the iPod? Why didn't Blackberry conceive of the iPhone? Why didn't Apple think of the Kindle?
Which brings us to speakers and presenters.
I think there's a lot to be said for that. At least it conveys the central truth that we all have to have a deeper understanding of what we do so that we keep the big picture in mind and prepare for the changes and challenges of tomorrow.
Other examples of this have been suggested: Why didn't Sony come up with the iPod? Why didn't Blackberry conceive of the iPhone? Why didn't Apple think of the Kindle?
Which brings us to speakers and presenters.
There is no better compliment after a speech than, "I never thought
about it that way before."
You might think your business is to convey information, to teach, to entertain or persuade. Those are true, but not the fully story.
The real reason you are on the platform is help the audience reach a new level of understanding. As such, you're in the business of turning on light bulbs.
Light bulb moments are those moments when we're hit with a new idea or a new way of thinking about something. The light bulb goes on. "Aha," we think to ourselves.
And, when that occurs, the speaker has done his or her job. There is no better compliment after a speech than, "I never thought about it that way before."
If you want to succeed as a speaker, don't think about speaking. Think about why you're really there.
wesbleed.com | Twitter: @wesbleed
The real reason you are on the platform is help the audience reach a new level of understanding. As such, you're in the business of turning on light bulbs.
Light bulb moments are those moments when we're hit with a new idea or a new way of thinking about something. The light bulb goes on. "Aha," we think to ourselves.
And, when that occurs, the speaker has done his or her job. There is no better compliment after a speech than, "I never thought about it that way before."
If you want to succeed as a speaker, don't think about speaking. Think about why you're really there.
wesbleed.com | Twitter: @wesbleed
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