Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The key to making effective presentations and influencing others to action is engaging your audiences emotionally and relevantly. This means employing the art of story telling.
For a story to be effective, it must be interesting and grab people?s attention. It has to be relevant to the audience with the point being clear and simple. Finally, there must be an application of the point so the audience members can see how it will positively impact them. This goes for any presentation you are giving whether it is a sales presentation or a leader giving a speech to her organization.
On July 30th, 2013, I was inducted as the 2013-2014 President of the National Speakers Association (NSA). What an honor it is to be at the forefront leading an association whose members comprise some of the top thought leaders in the world.
In writing my acceptance speech, I struggled in figuring out what to say that would be of interest and uplifting to our members. I decided to go out on the limb and share a couple of personal experiences I have never shared with anyone in that crowd of 1300 people. This included a compelling story about my mother, Miriam Karr. Her story is a stellar example of overcoming adversity ? any adversity. It struck a cord with all the female members of the audience who struggle to be heard, and everyone, male or female, who ever had to deal with an adverse situation; including leaders who struggle to turn around situations against all odds. My mother was a mentor to me in adult life and a close confidant who positively enforced my values and beliefs.
I was able to tie my mother?s story to the core value proposition NSA offers its members.
In addition to my mother?s story, I also shared other experiences that allowed me to leverage my true authentic self. This meant heralding my New York accent and playing off my New York/New Jersey roots and attitude. Sharing one?s beliefs and background is also a powerful way for people to connect with a leader as they get to know the person?s vision and style of leadership.
Audiences can smell a con artist a mile away, someone who is pretending to be something they arenot. As leaders and influencers, we must embrace ourselves for who we are and leverage our strengths. We must reach down and reveal our authentic self. Then, and only then, will you be at your optimal level of influence.
Click here to view my NSA Presidential Acceptance Speech and let us know what opened up for you.