Assumptions Without Foundations

Assuming can work in our favor.  When I assume a Cigar Bar will be a good experience based upon the testimonials of trusted friends, and the Manager of a favorite Cigar Store, I will very likely be making a correct assumption.  The same applies to a restaurant, a specialty store, a vacation destination, a line of shoes, and the list goes on and on.  When we base an assumption on collected information and the testimonies of those who have ‘been there before’ we are rarely disappointed.

But assuming something to be so when we have no corroborating testimonials and no personal experience can lead to incorrect assumptions, and a disappointing result.  Case in point:  I presented a program recently which required the use of PowerPoint.  I developed the presentation in my office on my desktop computer. I based upon the presentation on a PowerPoint strategy I have used successfully many times in years past.

With a black background in the slides, white text, and special words highlighted in red, the message, coupled with slow transitions, fading in and out from black, are impactful.  I knew the presentation cold so looking at the slides was unnecessary, and this adds to the impact. But when at the venue, what if when the lights are brought low, there remains indirect light from two sources which cannot be turned off, and the ambient glare from the sunlight filtered through the blinds further brightens a ‘dimmed’ room?

I’ll tell you ‘what if’ . . .

The black background appears a bit washed out and the white text is readable, but not with impactful clarity.  Further, the red, highlighted text is legible, but barely readable.  This means that even though I knew the presentation cold, the impact of the slides had been all but eliminated.  The red, highlighted text which held special meaning appeared to be dim holes in the white text, and I was forced to read many of the slides which should have been a powerful backdrop to my remarks.

In short, my presentation changed from well-rehearsed, seamless, and impactful to ‘rehearsed improv’, hardly seamless, and lacking impact.  Although the presentation was very well received overall, and should be considered a success, one comment was, “I don’t like it when presenters read slides to me.”  Yikes!  Lesson learned . . . again.

When presenting new material, presenting in a new space, presenting in a familiar space but at a different time of day, presenting with new technology, someone else’s equipment, etc., do a dress rehearsal in advance if possible.  Do not assume the perfection you crafted in your office will follow through to the venue.  When you do, you build an assumption without a foundation.

Fearlessly,

JD

Push Through

As a college senior and history major at the University of Georgia I was in great need of an easy 'A'. My advisor told me I had one elective remaining. Just one coin of that precious currency. I decided to spend it on Drama 101. Since I had been in a theatre troupe at another college before transferring to UGA I thought how hard could it be? I found out.

Day One: I walked into class and it was like someone let the air of the place. A quick visual survey revealed not a traditional classroom, but a smallish former office with chairs lining the walls on the edges of very old carpeting. There was an immediate bad vibe. It was nothing I felt toward the space or students already in the room. No, clearly I was the object of their dis-affection.

A scan of the students revealed an intentional disregard for fashion; ill-fitting and faded jeans, flip flops, beat up sneakers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, a lack of non-leather jewelry, and minimal make-up (on the females at least). Here I stood wearing my starched khakis, powder-blue broadcloth button down, Sperry Topsiders, and gold wristwatch. Although no one hissed it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if they had. Apparently Greek life had not yet hit the Drama department.

I knew trouble was surely mine when, to break the ice, for surely it was in desperate need of breaking, the Professor asked us to name our favorite author. Before coming around to me, I heard Ibsen, Hemmingway, Steinbeck, Poe, and Khafka. What, no Seuss?? Anyway, I offered up a man I considered to be quite brilliant actually, J.R.R. Tolkien. My classmates laughed. Yeah, that’s right. They laughed as if Tolkien was some kind of half-wit hack! The ice remained.

My first assignment was a soliloquy from The Rainmaker. Since I had seen the movie, I thought, “No prob.” (really liked Burt Lancaster in that role) The anticipation of standing alone in a room surrounded by people who clearly don’t have your best interests at heart is not unlike going over a cliff on your bike. You’re okay for the moment, but the end is not going to be good.

In the face of emotions compelling me to race to Drop/Add, I showed up to perform. No sooner had I stood to speak than I went blank.  My mouth opened but nothing came out, and the sharks began circling. Ever been to a late night screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show? There’s that scene at the beginning where Brad and Janet are obviously at the wrong party and say, “If only we were among friends.” Cue the audience, “But you’re not.” Same thing.

The Professor was quick to my rescue, and gave me the first word of the scene. That sparked a vague recollection, and I managed a couple of lines. Another hint, a few more lines, and we followed this pattern for the longest seven minutes…ever? It gets my vote. Oh and my audience? Less sympathetic than Brad and Janet’s. More laughter.

But I did it! As horrible and deflating and crushing as the public humiliation was, it was over, and I had stood in there and taken it. That had to count for something right? It did count. It energized me in a way I could not have imagined. From that moment I determined that the scorn of my classmates would never again be directed towards me.

I became one seriously focused, rehearsal maniac. That initial 'F' was followed by better grades and greater comfort in the class. I was the one who changed. I realized my polar opposites were actually not so bad when I gave their chosen passion the effort and respect it deserved. I even did a comedic, one-man improv for my final and made an ‘A’ on it! Sadly it was not enough to score higher than a ‘C’ in the class, but a life-long lesson was in the bank.

Push through folks. Though it seems the gates of Hell are standing before you, and abject humiliation is the certain outcome – it is just a speech. You will survive. Control what you can control, then push through.  You will arrive on the other side stronger, better, wiser.  Push through.

Fearlessly,
JD

No Fear Here!

At a time in U.S. history when the Depression had reeked havoc upon this great nation, Franklin Roosevelt, the President of the United States said, in his inaugural address, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  In the life of a professional speaker, a Soccer Mom taking the podium at a PTA meeting, a Little League Coach addressing parents before the first practice, a department head stepping to the Board Room lectern, or new member at a Toastmasters club, there is fear.

We can all glibly say that we are fearless, and that is in fact how I bill myself, The Fearless Speaker.  My first blog is entitled the same.  But when the time comes to deliver to an audience, no matter how seasoned or polished we may become, that fear will try to invade our peace.

For me the fear is small indeed, but the tiniest morsel of that dread emotion will yet try to unsettle the most established and credible orators.  For those of you who believe yourselves to be more prone to the attack than most, rest assured we all face this nasty little demon.  And you can likewise rest assured that you are able to defeat fear as easily as I do.  It's all in your preparation.

The Two Keys to Speaking Success, as previously blogged, is your sure foundation.  Confidence in yourself and your message, buoyed by solid practice sessions, will get you ready to present.  The balance of preparation is divided between knowledge of the venue, an understanding of your audience, great knowledge of the material you will present, and time spent practicing.  Did I mention how important practice is??

If the remarks I am to deliver are not rehearsed (practice, practice) so that I know them backwards and forwards, I leave room for the seeds of doubt and fear to creep in.  If I have not taken the time to familiarize myself with the venue, its location, the acoustics (if possible), or to otherwise find out all I can about where I will speak, there's room for doubt and fear.  It would seem ridiculous to speak to an audience with whom you are completely unfamiliar!  Surprisingly, speakers take the stage every day with a canned speech expecting it to play well no matter the crowd.  Oops!  Know your audience.

You can limit the amount of stage fright you feel.  You can control the level of fear.  You can be, as far as anyone would ever know...fearless.  Victory is found in your preparation.

Fearlessly,
JD