Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Improvisation
When it comes to communicating something, especially something technical, most professionals use jargon that's specific to their subject, especially when they're standing in front of a group of professionals, giving a lecture or seminar. Often they will use a Power-point presentation or closely follow their prepared notes. The result? They usually bore the hell out of their audience and get some lukewarm applause.
The best communicators improvise. They look into the faces of the audience members while they're speaking, making sure that they are listening and comprehending, and adjusting their talk 'on the fly' to ensure that their message is getting through. Their body is always in motion, their facial expressions constantly changing, their arms and hands reinforcing what they're saying. They may use visual aids, including a few projected slides, to reinforce, illustrate, or prove something but, most of the time, they're just conversing with the audience.
They never read their notes, if they have any notes. They simply know what they want to say and then they go ahead and say it. The result? They get their message across and their audience is left wanting more. The 'more' often comes in the form of a lot of thought-provoking questions.
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So true! Have you ever been giving a presentation and you try not to focus on the person sleeping in the front row? Lately I have to give a monthly presentation on End of Life care to new nurses in the 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. time slot! Do you know how many people are clock watching? I try to use photos and interesting questions. Sometimes there is interest! It is also a tough topic as it brings us so many feelings for people. I try to sound enthusiatic about a touchy topic! I probably bore the hell out of some people though!
ReplyDeleteTalks given right before or after lunch and those given at the end of the day are the hardest to give. Listening to you is usually the last thing people want to do at those times.
ReplyDeleteI like this Albert Einstein quote about death: "Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life."