It's up there with the bitterest complaints I hear from speechwriters: My CEO won't rehearse.
In his new book Jacked Up, former Jack Welch speechwriter Bill Lane implores speakers to "Clear from your mind the illusion that it is 'cool' or impressive to simply stand up and 'wing' a presentation, or 'throw up' a couple of PowerPoint slides and bullshit your way through them. ... Allow your audience to see how much you value their attention and how much time you have invested in your [speech] to them."
And if Jack Welch's speechwriter's word isn't enough, here's the hottest speaker since the invention of stereo, quoted in today's Washington Post about his success in speaking (the rest of the article, which includes an analysis of Obama's stump speech, is worth reading):
"My general attitude is practice, practice, practice." In 2004, he told biographer David Mendell, "I was just getting more experienced and seeing what is working and what isn't, when I am going too long and when it is going flat. Besides campaigning, I have always said that one of the best places for me to learn public speaking was actually teaching—standing in a room full of 30 or 40 kids and keeping them engaged, interested and challenged."
Speaking coach Virgil Scudder once gave me a retort to CEOs who tell you you've got 15 minutes to improve their speaking ability: "You don't tell your golf pro that."
How do you get your speaker to focus on the job at hand?
Comments (4)
Gonzo,
I'm in a new job and have yet to have that discussion with leadership, but it will happen soon. Personally, I like the "golf pro" retort.
On a related note, though, the speech or presentation has to be written first, right? I'm editing the first version written by a consultant. Let's just say that there has to be a good speech or presentation in front of the speaker to help us train him or her. Using the word "nexus" does not bode well! (I must find time to go blog about this.)
Posted by Susan | February 26, 2008 8:40 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 08:40
David:
Whew!! I thought you were going to go a full 24 hours without referencing Obama. I found myself wavering a little in my support of him, tilting dangerously toward Hillary because of her policy knowledge . . . . but then I checked into Shades and you knocked me right back to my senses . . . thanks!!
As to the topic, I've never actually written a speech, but I speak for a living, doing seminars and speeches at conferences. I probably do 200 "presentations" a year, and I can tell you: there is no substitute for practice and preparation.
I've been told I'm a natural speaker . . . and I do feel comfortable in front of a crowd. But I rehearse and practice like a madman.
I just gave a four-hour presentation yesterday at Verizon Wireless, on writing for employees and social media. I've given a variation of this presentation at least 100 times. But I still spent two hours the night before, going through the slides, rehearsing the transitions, reminding myself of the points I wanted to make, etc.
Speakers that think you can just "throw it up there" and wing it are the kinds of speakers that make people squirm uncomfortably in their seats.
Steve C.
Posted by Steve C. | February 26, 2008 10:51 AM
Posted on February 26, 2008 10:51
For Steve, "etc." means trying to get into Cindy's shower. (See his blog.) Just wanted to clarify.
Posted by Diane | February 26, 2008 4:21 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 16:21
Diane:
Busted. Again.
Steve C.
Posted by Steve C. | February 26, 2008 4:29 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 16:29