In my editor’s column (Uptime) in the March issue of Fleet Maintenance Magazine, I discussed ways to improve talks and presentations by incorporating storytelling. By way of follow up, I’d like to share with you six mistakes speakers should avoid.
This information comes from Dianna Booher, a bestselling author of more than 46 books, published in 26 languages; speaker; and syndicated blogger. Her personal development topics include communication, leadership, personal presence, productivity, life balance and faith.
She is the founder of Booher Consultants (www.Booher.com), an international communication training company, and more recently, the Booher Research Institute (www.BooherResearch.com), which provides communication-related consulting, coaching and speaking services.
Six Never Dos
Booher says the best business presenters and public speakers never:
1. Make an audience feel small.
Speakers, of course, don’t intend to irritate audience members and set their teeth on edge, notes Booher, but they can by saying things such as:
- As I travel around the globe each year . . .
- So I pulled out a $100 bill, handed it to the bell captain and told him that package had better be in my room before I am.
- My spouse and I were at the Ritz Carlton last weekend when . . .
“Douse people with a few of these comments and see how fast they shrink emotionally.”
2. Demonstrate arrogance.
The previous lines may flow from ignorance rather than arrogance, she says. In addition to ego-filled references that the audience can’t relate to, arrogance rears its head in many other ways:
- Overly complex explanations meant to confuse rather than clarify.
- Use of “insider” references and terms without bothering to define them.
- Outrageous demands that their personal comforts be met.
- Inflexibility when things need to be adjusted (schedules, timing, setting, etc.).
- Disrespecting people they consider “unimportant.”
Booher adds that audience members notice behavior both on and off stage. “Personality often drowns out the message.”
3. Outsmart the smart-alec.
All things being equal, audiences generally side with one of their own because the audience member is the “underdog,” she says. A speaker holds the position of power at the beginning of an encounter – the microphone, attention, an introduction and credibility.
“But once a speaker ‘jumps into the fray’ and becomes confrontational with someone, he or she loses that original position of respect and credibility. Better responses: ‘I see things differently.’ ‘My take on that issue is . . .’ ‘My experience tells me that . . .’
“Bouncing angry barbs back and forth lowers, rather than raises, authority and respect.
4. Apologize for things you can control.
“Be prepared,” stresses Booher. “There’s no excuse for lack of preparation on things within your control: data you should have gathered, numbers you should have crunched, calls you should have made, interviews you should have done.
“If you don’t have it and aren’t prepared to share it, don’t wave that flag. Apologizing for lack of preparation doesn’t help.”
5. Mishandle a Q&A session.
Never make statements like, “I’ll take two more questions.” What if your audience has only one more question? The impression created is that the group isn’t all that interested in what you have to say.
Or worse, suppose the second question is a negative one, she says. “You certainly don’t want to end your Q&A session on a negative issue.
“When you’ve decided to stop taking questions, just stop. No need to give a warning.”
6. End with questions.
“Always deliver your polished wrap-up comments after the informal question session,” Booher advises. “Otherwise, your presentation or speech simply limps to a close.
“End with a wallop, not a whimper.”
