If you are intimidated by public speaking of any kind then every possible speaking situation is tied for first as the toughest speaking gig. If you are more like me and yearn, desire, long for, and plan to get as many public speaking gigs as possible because you love the time with your audiences - the toughest ones are easier to define.
I'm not only a professional speaker, I am also a Licensed Minister and submit the two toughest speaking gigs are weddings and funerals. The crowds may be large or small - no worries. The venue may be grand or grim - not a problem. The material is pretty much known by everyone - that's cool. But if you think you are the draw - think again.
Weddings and funerals draw audiences not based upon you, your expertise, your wit and witticisms, your clever strategies for wealth building, or your extensive line of books, CDs, and DVDs. As a matter of fact, the organizers have engaged your services almost by default. You might get picked based upon an existing relationship, but the event is still not about you.
A wedding is all about the bride and groom, and more about the bride. Her wedding is THE most important DAY in HER life. This truth cannot be overstated. Your job is to not screw up - THE most important DAY in HER life. Let the caterer botch the cake and the flower girl wander off to mommy and daddy, but you better be perfect. You are hired because it is assumed you will be perfect. And perfect you must be (no pressure there). After the ceremony, if you have done a spectacular job of being perfect, not a soul will be talking about you. This is a good thing!
A funeral is all about one person, and it ain't you. Your job is to bring words of comfort to people who are grieving the loss of someone they dearly loved. You have not met most of the people you are to comfort. You may not have met any of the people you are to comfort! You may come from a Christian tradition, as I do, and the deceased, by all accounts, was as far from faith in Christ as Miami is from Honolulu. Yikes! Yet comfort you must. After the service, if you have done a spectacular job of bringing comfort, not a soul will be talking about you. Again - this is a good thing!
Compared to weddings and funerals, an impromptu 30 minute speech to suicide bombers on the benefits of real estate investing is a breeze! But I'll take the weddings and funerals every time they're offered. Weddings and funerals are the toughest gigs going. Not coincidentally, they are the most personally rewarding. And this you can take to the bank . . . there is no greater privilege than to use your gift of oral eloquence in the service of those who, for one vitally important day, need you to be perfect.
Fearlessly,
JD
