Whether you're speaking to a large group, a few people, or even to one person,
do you consider yourself to be inspirational and motivational?
Why or why not?
I attended a recent talk by Australian 'Thought Leader' Matt Church at The National Speakers Association of New Zealand which inspired me to ask myself these questions.
Are you the CEO or 'Chief Energy Officer' that you could be?
Matt was talking to our group about becoming 'world class presenters' and 'leaders in our field' and letting us know what it took for him to succeed as a speaker. He gives between 50-100 speeches a year internationally, and charges $5000-$10,000 per speech…not a bad income!
Matt encouraged us to speak as often as possible, noting that
Tony Robbins says that he polished his speaking by giving 400 FREE speeches before he ever began to charge.
To be a successful 'world class' leader and presenter, Matt told us we need the Three M's…
1 Message – a powerful message based on your authentic experience
2. Methodology (polished presentation skills)
3. Market (those interested in your message)
Your speech or message should have 3 parts:
1. Explain The Problem: 15 mins (Uncover)
2. Explain The Cause: 15 mins (Discover)
3. Offer a Solution 15 mins (Recover) (ie. Give them tools and hope)
In the first 2 parts of your speech or presentation, create 'dissonance' in the audience…discomfort…stir them up…making them aware of a particular problem…resist the temptation to solve the problem in the first 15 mins.
Figure out what YOUR unique angle is…as there are many speaking on common topics such as:
Leadership, Innovation, Work-Life Balance, Presentation Skills…
What is your particular PhD in? What’s your unique expertise? In what field are you a 'thought leader'?
To be awarded a PhD in traditional university programmes, you need to both contribute to and contradict the existing body of knowledge and offer a contrary opinion. Matt referred to your contribution as your 'yes, and…' and your contradiction as your 'yes, but…' positions.
Whatever your topic, pick the three bestselling books on that topic and
give your additional input and contrary input. Doing this will make you
NOTORIOUS…or different.
He also mentioned that in this current economic climate, it is wise consider generating income from six particular skills, rather than focus solely on speaking:
Marketing To Individuals AND Marketing to Groups
Telling: Authorship - Keynote speaking
Showing: Mentoring - Training
Asking: Coaching - Facilitating
Matt explained the difference between being a coach, a trainer, and a speaker by saying:
A coach is 'sitting down'.
A trainer is walking around in 'comfortable shoes'.
A speaker is in 'stiletto heels' – a lot of weight focused on a narrow heel just like a speaker's must pack a lot of 'punch' into a narrow timeframe.
Matt told us that a speaker needs 3 things differently than a trainer:
1. Stories
2. Statistics
3. Humour
Interestingly, he mentioned that to audiences of kiwis, brits, and ozzies, self-deprecating humour works best…but that this type of humour didn’t work as well in America.
It's always safest to make yourself the 'fool' in your stories versus making fun of someone else.
Matt,while not poking fun at one person, did make fun of Toastmasters, the international public speaking 'club', saying it was just for people who were afraid of speaking. He implied that if you wanted to be 'world class', Toastmasters was not the training ground. Although he may have ruffled a few feathers with this comment, perhaps this was his way of expressing a 'contrary' position to the generally accepted consensus as he teaches that all 'PhD's' need to do in their dissertation.
Matt went on to highlight other key aspects to becoming a 'world class presenter' include mastering animation, engagement, and charisma.
To boost these aspects of your speech, identify your personality quirks and turn them UP in volume. You don't have to be 'fake' – just allow authentic parts of yourself to be 'amplified'.
What personality quirks do you have and how can you find ways to bring them each to the platform. For instance, when you tell stories, which aspect of you will be telling it?
I hope you feel inspired now to 'stand in your authority to change the world'.
Matt emphasized that our world needs visionaries, leaders who can give people two things...“Hope and Tools.
Matt's talk certainly gave me these two things. May these words you’ve just read give you hope and tools as well...the hope and tools to become a great leader and speaker.
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