After
Dinner Speaker, Hero Or Coward?
During my time as
Chairman of Forum, the Public Speaking Group of the
Australian
Institute of Management, I have
often been asked about speaking
after dinner.
Before I discuss this opportunity, I
want you to think back to a time
when you were at a
dinner event and the speaker
came on.
How did you and your party react?
Did you give him or her a chance to
get started?
Did you listen intently to the point
of view being put across?
Or did you, after you realised that
this was not an entertainer, turn
your attention back to
your own group or shout out comments
to the speaker.
If you and your table didn't, did
others?
And how did you feel?
How do you think the speaker felt?
If you are a novice then making a
presentation after dinner is very
hazardous for your esteem
and frankly, I would recommend
that you decline.
The reason is that the audience
typically, will not be in a receptive
state to what ever message
you want to put across.
Again generally, alcohol has been
consumed and what the audience is
looking for is entertainment.
They want you to make them laugh.
To be an entertaining speaker of this
nature requires a great deal of
skill, and self-confidence.
With inhibitions reduced members will
shout out comments, which will
distract you.
Many novice speakers get involved in
an interaction with their audience
and very soon they
have lost control.
Other members want to be funny at
your expense and it is incredibly
difficult to maintain your cool
and not be taken down their path of
ridicule for you.
Again with the lapse in manners that
often occurs in such situations,
they may ignore you and carry
on conversation amongst
themselves in such a loud and rude
manner, you could well succumb to
the feelings of inadequacy.
These feelings are real.
Your skill level is inadequate
although you are not inadequate as a
person.
However, with the emotion of the
moment you can scar yourself forever.
I have seen speakers who were not
frightened of speaking in public
before, who are now terrified.
This makes it so much harder to
overcome the nerves because the fear
has such power!
So, before you go near an after
dinner speaking engagement, learn the
basics.
Practice the basics and start with
your first speeches in a safe place.
And if you are the guest speaker,
never ever drink before your speech.
And generally, do not eat, as a burp
at the wrong time will destroy
your confidence.
So, if possible, go and enjoy the
dinner as a guest patron until such
time as you have gained the
necessary skills and confidence.
To your growing confidence and
success.
Roger Bourne
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