Tag Archive for: emotion in public speaking

Make Them Feel it

“People will forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)

Truer words in speaking have never been said.
ls & whistles. We even saw some sleek exteriors as well. But we still settled on the Lexus.

And honestly, we bought it for the "L". The little "L" piece of metal that adorns the trunk and centre of the steering wheel.

Why? Because we buy with emotion and justify with logic.

Sure we saw more reasonably priced cars. But Lexus equals a bit more luxury, a bit more status, and a bit more class than the other cars we saw. And that's why we bought it. But we tell people, "we got a good deal", or "it drives better than the other cars" or some other reason that, although it's probably true, it's not why we bought the car.

My wife loves the car because of how it makes her FEEL. She loves sitting in the heated leather seats. She loves the push button start and the low hum of the engine. She loves cruising on the highway and feeling the smooth power of the vehicle.

Emotion is why we buy.
Emotion is also why we listen.

When you speak, you had better evoke some emotion out of your audience. Otherwise you WILL be forgotten after your speech is over. Maybe even before.

Make your audience do one of three things, and they will remember you long after you have finished speaking. Make them do all 3, and you will be far ahead of most speakers.

1) Make them LAUGH

I start with this one due to personal reasons. I love giving inspirational speeches. I literally get goosebumps when I get to the main message within my speech. I remember going to a conference and a speaker taught a breakout session on how to speak. He said that he gave motivational speeches, and that humor "wasn't his thing". I remember nodding thinking, "Yup! That's me! I'm a motivational guy, not a funny guy."  I couldn't have been more misguided. The truth is this - If eyes are the window to the soul, laughter is the gateway. Comedian Steve Harvey once said that his mentor Bill Cosby told him that when you get people to laugh, you have their undivided attention. And when you have someone's undivided attention, you have the ability to affect them and make a positive impact on their lives. Once I learned that, I made it a point to uncover and add humor EVERY time I speak, regardless of topic. If you want to impact your audience,add excitement to every speech, and have audiences asking to hear more of you, you should do the same.

Related article:  Once more with feeling

2) Make them THINK

When you speak, as Speaker Susan Lamb-Robinson says, you need to "Get under the skin, and get into the heart". Sometimes you have to make people think about the pain they will have if they don't follow the message that you are suggesting. Sometimes people won't move until the pain of standing still hurts badly enough. So don't be afraid to make your audience think. The emotion of Fear resulting from Inaction, can often be as powerful as the emotion of Happiness resulting from taking action. Make them Think, make them Feel, and they will Remember and Act.

3) Make them REFLECT

Reflection is an extension of thinking. When you find ways to make your audience not only think, but to reflect on their OWN reality or events from their past, then you've really got something! When people think about your story, you relate to them. But when they additionally REFLECT on their own stories in addition to yours, then you've moved them. They will be listening to you, while feeling the emotions related to their own lives. And that is a VERY powerful effect to have on someone. Get them to reflect, and they will be waiting for YOU to tell them what to do next.

People may forget what you say, but they will NEVER forget how you made them feel. And if you make them feel, they will also remember the most important things that you say.

This is a guest post from Kwesi Millington.

Kwesi is a public speaking, storytelling & confidence coach, teaching you to speak, share, serve and live with greater confidence. Check out his website at www.CommunicateToCreate.com and do watch his periscopes. He shares some very practical tips on speaking and story.

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Once More With Feeling

At the lectern the physician-scientist spoke with passion and enthusiasm, lowering his voice and then raising it, changing its pace and rhythm, using metaphors and analogies, describing vividly a particular treatment and why it should be approved. Into his presentation he wove the story of a particular patient, one for whom several treatments had failed, not only lowering the quality of her life but increasingly endangering that life.

Not for a second did the physician-scientist ignore the data. The evidence with which he supported his message was compelling. He spoke with authority, creating the kind of credibility that engages listeners' trust.

Yet in his presentation he elevated pathos, an appeal to emotion. He did so by telling a story, by choosing words for their emotional value, by using figurative language, and by varying his delivery - all techniques that can help a speaker evoke and use audience emotion to persuade.

CHOICES
Our physician-scientist could have chosen one of the other two means of persuasion to guide his talk.

... => bit.ly/9WTcLp

What is Color in Public Speaking?

[From Nancy Daniels]

Color is the life, the emotion, the animation, and the passion you express in speaking. Whether you are in conversation, holding a conference call, or giving a speech or presentation, not expressing color when you talk is referred to as speaking in monotone. Another way of saying it is boring.

I have found a distinct relationship between dressing colorfully and speaking with expression. While I am generalizing, it has been interesting to see how those who dress with color usually speak with color as well; whereas, those who do tend to be staid in their appearance often speak in a monotone.

One of my clients came to her sessions every week dressed in black with long straight black hair and no makeup. Trying to get her to put some life into her delivery was like pulling teeth. Her appearance was bland as well as her voice. She resisted change because it meant that she would have to allow for some emotion and that was her stumbling block.

Again I am generalizing, but I have found that accountants, research scientists, and professional athletes are often lacking in expressive delivery. If you look at the human dynamics model, these people are more than likely mentally-centered or physically-centered. It does not mean they do not feel emotion: they tend to keep their emotions inside. And, this is not something found just in those three professions. A surprising number of print journalists and visual artists are indeed very expressive in the printed word or in their art, but they often will not voice those emotions in speaking.

Color is heard not just in the voice but is seen in the face as well as in one's body language. A good example of an actor with tremendous facial expression and body language is Harrison Ford. He does not have to say one word for you to know exactly how he is feeling. Just by watching the expression on his face and the movement of his body, you know what is happening.

Do not think that keeping your emotions hidden is a strength. It is not - it is a weakness. You can have the greatest voice in the world but if you speak in a monotone, exhibiting no emotion in your face or in your body language, then you will put your audience to sleep. Being expressive, be it at the lectern or just in conversation, is a requirement if you want your message to be heard.

The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training program on voice improvement. To see how voice training can improve your life, both professionally and personally, visit Voice Dynamic or watch a brief video as The Voice Lady describesDynamic Public Speaking.