tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740403495105528592024-03-14T02:44:36.418-05:00Green Room SpeakersGreen Room Speakers offers
comprehensive speaker training.
Learn the tools you need to build confidence and deliver knockout presentations.
Learn to recreate your Green Room Moments, the moments when you were in the zone. We empower you to get in the zone each time you get up to speak.
Then we teach you how to use your voice, mind, and body to truly connect with your audience - and inspire change.Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-16670573466250187032012-09-20T14:36:00.003-05:002012-09-20T14:36:41.759-05:00Green Room Speakers Blog Has Moved!The Green Room Speakers blog has moved to:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://greenroomspeakers.com/blog">greenroomspeakers.com/blog</a><br />
<br />
Thank you for visiting!<br />
<br />
- SarahSarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-59238682330687674122012-07-08T21:38:00.003-05:002012-07-08T21:38:49.329-05:00Lesson From Minute Maid: Use Concrete Language<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5aE19MFoqA/T_pD8be7coI/AAAAAAAADV8/bpMoWvqoz4M/s1600/lemonade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5aE19MFoqA/T_pD8be7coI/AAAAAAAADV8/bpMoWvqoz4M/s200/lemonade.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
This is what is reads on every carton of Minute Maid Lemonade:<br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<i>Put Good in. Get Good Out.</i></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<i>You can taste and feel these words in every drop of Minute Maid.</i></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<i>We fill every glass with the delicious refreshing goodness you have come to expect from us.</i></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<i>All because, when it comes to life, we believe what you believe.</i></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<i>The effort you put in is equal to the good you get out.</i></div>
<div style="color: #660000;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #660000;">
<span style="color: black;">Ultimately, these words are meaningless. There is not a single concrete word about the lemonade itself.<i> </i>And no wonder! It's hard to be specific and concrete when your product contains only lemon juice from concentrate and high fructose corn syrup. So the manufacturer instead relies on generic, abstract language that goes in one ear and out the other.</span></div>
<div style="color: #660000;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #274e13;">
<b><i>From the Green Room: Use concrete language whenever possible. This is what the audience will remember - and ultimately it's what shows you actually have something worthwhile to say.</i><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="color: #274e13;">
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<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-70558831792354683572012-06-26T00:38:00.000-05:002012-06-26T00:38:04.968-05:00Speaking Lesson from Hollywood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/images/2012/06/25/g120/120625_r22280_g120_cropth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.newyorker.com/images/2012/06/25/g120/120625_r22280_g120_cropth.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
In the recent <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/06/25/120625fa_fact_friend">New Yorker profile of Ben Stiller,</a> Tad Friend describes what a movie needs to have in order to be successful. He writes:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/06/25/120625fa_fact_friend"> "Then you need a whiz-bang ending, one that sends audiences out of the theaters, texting in rapture."</a><br />
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How often do you leave a speech "texting in rapture?" We often spend so much time on the body of the speech, that we forget to take the time to craft a powerful close.<br />
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Friend continues: <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/06/25/120625fa_fact_friend">"This requirement explains why many studio films fall apart in the last half hour, are reshot, and still don't work."</a><br />
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Yes, endings are hard.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>From the Green Room: Even the most powerful speech falls apart with a bad ending. Save your best for last, and take the time to figure out how to end strong. While this is difficult, it is well worth the effort.</i></b></span>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-53372008913624680172012-06-11T20:56:00.000-05:002012-06-11T21:43:41.843-05:00Beware the Swivel Chair!Watch this Fortune 50 interview with Pam Nicholson, president and COO of Enterprise Holdings:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LQZ8KEL6Wyk" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Great lessons in effective communication here. Nicholson is personable, poised, and clear. But unfortunately, she undermines herself by swiveling in her chair. The back and forth movement is not only distracting, but also sadly lowers her status.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">From the Green Room: When possible, try to avoid speaking in a swivel chair. If you have no choice, whatever you do - don't swivel! </span></b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-54842024723503429632012-06-06T12:08:00.000-05:002012-06-06T12:08:33.331-05:00Body Language:I just listened to this terrific interview with Mark Bowden on the power of body language:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P5EnOoI-ePc" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Bowden gives simple tips for ways to build audience trust. For example, he explains that if you tilt your head slightly towards the the audience while you speak, the audience will be able to see your ear and thus feel that you are listening to them - even if you never stop talking!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #38761d;"><b>From the Green Room: Don't assume that your words are sufficient to gain the trust of your audience. If your body language doesn't communicate your trustworthiness, even the most sincere speech will raise the suspicions of your audience.</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-91029508611983370832012-05-24T20:58:00.003-05:002012-06-06T12:12:31.133-05:00Speaking Lesson from IBM's Ginni RomettyWatch this talk by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du_a0CCJkWE&feature=related">Ginni Rometty, the CEO of IBM:</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Du_a0CCJkWE" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Rometty tells a story that taught her the importance of risk-taking. She explains that sometimes we are so self-critical, that it prevents us from having another experience. <br />
<br />
As a speaker, this dynamic is particularly challenging. It is easy to fall into the trap of being so self-critical - and so concerned about what others will think - that you are unable to be in the moment. And being in the moment - being fully present - is the secret to having stage presence. <br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">From the Green Room: Is self-criticism preventing you from being fully present when you speak?</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">One easy way to break this pattern to take a few moments - right before you get up to speak - and your body into its most confident state. </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Stand with your feet grounded. Maintain an open posture. Breathe deeply. Smile.</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> Even if you are feeling less than confident, this simple exercise will help quiet your inner-critic so you can be present.</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-20289322075160672352012-05-17T15:43:00.000-05:002012-05-17T15:43:23.117-05:00Embrace MistakesWatch this 4-minute TED talk by start-up guru <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/renny_gleeson_404_the_story_of_a_page_not_found.html">Renny Gleason.</a><br />
<br />
Gleason shows us how you can turn mistakes into opportunities to connect:<br />
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<br />
Gleason ends his talk with the following message:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>A simple mistake can tell me what you're not.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Or remind me why I should love you.</b></span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">From the Green Room: Don't worry if you mess up. You will, and that's OK.What matters is how you respond. Sometimes your mistakes can end up being the part of your presentation the audience loves most. </span></b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-18696770775659081192012-05-15T21:35:00.000-05:002012-05-15T21:35:41.201-05:00When Content and Delivery Don't Match: Speaking Lesson from the High LineIn the <a href="http://www.thehighline.org/about/public-art/swartz">Digital Empathy</a>, an art installation by Julianne Swartz, on display at the High Line park in NYC, listeners hear loving messages in computer-generated voices.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpuPDR3W-14/T7MR4KxHZwI/AAAAAAAADVQ/QJRnS0JHyQs/s1600/digital+empathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpuPDR3W-14/T7MR4KxHZwI/AAAAAAAADVQ/QJRnS0JHyQs/s200/digital+empathy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The effect is supposed to create a dissonance between the <span style="color: #990000;">warmth</span> of the content and the <span style="color: #0b5394;">coldness</span> of the speaker. While this makes for an interesting and provocative art installation, it is exactly the opposite of what you should do as a speaker.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;"> From the Green Room: If you want your presentation to be both understood and remembered, make sure your <u>delivery</u> is in sync with your <u>content. </u></span></b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-1123268037631649712012-05-10T23:31:00.002-05:002012-05-10T23:31:51.944-05:00Coldplay/Beastie Boys Speaking LessonI love Coldplay's tribute to the Beastie Boys' MCA. This is a brilliant example of somebody stepping into the shoes of another speaker and being completely authentic. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t9rCgWLmKfw" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">From the Green Room: Public speaking isn't about having to become someone different in front of an audience. It's about expressing sometimes even someone else's words in your own voice. </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Find your voice and of course, fight for your right to party.</span></b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-62860782713291477562012-05-02T13:43:00.002-05:002012-05-02T13:43:25.589-05:00Great Improv ExerciseHere's a fun improv exercise that works on body language and can help you get out of your comfort zone when you deliver a presentation:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mcuP8SjVV80" width="420"></iframe><br />
<div style="color: #274e13;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">From the Green Room: The same words can have entirely different meanings depending on how you say them. Try rehearsing the opener of your speech using a variety of vocal tones and body language. The more you exaggerate this at home, the more free you will be to experiment with different forms of expression when it comes time to speak.</span></b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-87923848373387538572012-04-24T21:23:00.000-05:002012-04-24T21:32:26.749-05:00Rahm Emanuel: Raising Status through StillnessWatch last night's CNN interview with Rahm Emanuel:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1438816301"><br /></a><br />
<a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/23/video-rahm-emanuel-on-mitt-romney/"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_iLVb8syBLA" width="560"></iframe></a><br />
<br />
Notice the way Rahm Emanuel sits straight up in his chair, barely moving. Contrast that with Morgan, who moves more and leans forward, toward Emanuel. <br />
<br />
Emanuel's straight and still posture raises his status - giving him an even greater sense of authority. Morgan's movement and posture, on the other hand, lower his status, making him seem more approachable.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;">
<i><b>From the Green Room: Stillness = status. When you get up to speak, decide whether you are aiming to raise or lower your status. If your goal is to raise your status, maintain a more fixed posture, keep your head still, and use minimal gestures. If your goal is to lower your status, use more movement and lean towards the audience.</b></i></div>
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<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-78205474306252805432012-04-10T16:10:00.000-05:002012-04-10T16:10:13.443-05:00Speaking Lesson from IntrovertsI showed the following TED talk, <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html">"Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts" </a>to my Advanced Oral Presentations class at the <a href="http://msb.georgetown.edu/">McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University:</a><br /><br />
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<br />
One student commented that Cain's words held particular gravitas precisely because she is an introvert.<br />
<br />
So true. We often assume that it's the extroverts who get more public attention - and who are more engaging speakers.<br />
<br />
Yet introverts can actually have the upperhand. Because they say less, people listen more closely.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">From the Green Room: Remember, less is more. Don't try to fill your presentation with noise. Leave room for silence. This may be more challenging for extroverts - but well worth the effort.</span></b></i><br />
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<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-7436271019123411932012-04-06T11:21:00.000-05:002012-04-06T11:21:59.484-05:00Passover Speaking Lesson<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elQAAcVEI-U/T38Xo96CYXI/AAAAAAAADVE/vkX2Y3i_YJA/s1600/seder+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elQAAcVEI-U/T38Xo96CYXI/AAAAAAAADVE/vkX2Y3i_YJA/s200/seder+plate.jpg" width="200" /></a>Passover begins tonight. Our family will gather together for
the Passover Seder - the retelling and re-experiencing of the Jewish
people's exodus from slavery in Egypt.<br />
<br />
Certainly,
there's a lot of important information to cover. So, why not make a
Passover PowerPoint presentation and show it at the Seder?<br />
<br />
Aside
from certain religious prohibitions, one can only imagine that a
PowerPoint presentation would turn a potentially meaningful, exciting
and interactive experience into a dreadfully boring and passive one.<br />
<br />
The
Seder plate, on the other hand, with it's various, colorful symbolic
foods, is a brilliant visual. It is concrete, tactile, and a great
trigger for discussion of the topic at hand. What's more, it helps the
participants remember the information, even after the holiday is over.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">From
the Green Room: Next time you give a presentation, consider minimizing
your usage of PowerPoint, which inhibits human interaction and
connection. Instead, choose a prop to emphasize your point. When used
correctly, a prop not only helps you communicate your message, but helps
your audience remember it, long after you have stopped speaking.</span>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-32601515536507968572012-03-28T12:10:00.003-05:002012-03-28T12:10:43.025-05:00The Power of Emotion: Lesson from the Solicitor General<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qG6rmNCbeKQ/T3NFv4GrKcI/AAAAAAAADU8/3m0SBcZDLms/s1600/verrilli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qG6rmNCbeKQ/T3NFv4GrKcI/AAAAAAAADU8/3m0SBcZDLms/s200/verrilli.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This morning on <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74559.html">Politico,</a> J. Lester Feder explores the question:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74559.html">Did Verrilli choke? And does it really matter?</a><br />
<br />
Feder quotes Arnold & Porter's Lisa Blatt, a former assistant to Verrilli:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Blatt%20said%20she%20was%20primarily%20surprised%20that%20Verrilli%20%22didn%27t%20seem%20that%20excited%20to%20be%20up%20there.%22%20Given%20that%20this%20is%20one%20of%20the%20biggest%20cases%20in%20modern%20history,%20she%20said,%20%22I%20would%20think%20it%20would%20be%20a%20blast%20to%20be%20up%20there.%22%20%20Read%20more:%20http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74559.html#ixzz1qQonN97G">Blatt said she was primarily surprised that Verrilli "didn't seem that excited to be up there." Given that this is one of the biggest cases in modern history, she said, "I would think it would be a blast to be up there."</a><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
Clearly, Verrilli's lack of excitement made just as much if not more of an impact than his actual substance. This is an unfortunate but easily avoidable mistake.<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">From the Green Room: People remember how they felt when they listen to you even more than the information they learned. </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">No matter how unprepared or nervous you are, try to communicate positive emotion. At the very least, people will remember something positive from your presentation. </span></b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-64662410784440049752012-03-27T20:34:00.000-05:002012-05-16T11:13:23.273-05:00How to Dress on Camera: Advice from Rachel MaddowToday on NPR's Fresh Air, Terri Gross interviewed <a href="http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=148611615&m=149456698">Rachel Maddow</a>:<br />
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<embed allowfullscreen="true" base="http://www.npr.org" height="386" src="http://www.npr.org/v2/?i=148611615&m=149456698&t=audio" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" wmode="opaque"></embed><br />
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About two thirds of the way through the interview, Terry Gross asks Maddow why she chooses to dress the way she does on TV.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=148611615&m=149456698">Maddow replies, "My idea about what I look like on television is essentially that I don't want you to not notice what I look like on television. I have this basic idea that what I am proud of...is based entirely on how good my argument is and how good the interview is and how well I say what I want to say... I want to create a neutral visual experience."</a><br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;">
<b><i>From the Green Room: Don't wear anything that will distract the audience from hearing what you have to say.</i></b><u><br /></u></div>
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<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-52911440482277815872012-03-25T13:50:00.002-05:002012-03-25T13:50:50.122-05:00Lesson from Rick Santorum: Don't Dart Your EyesRick Santorum did many things wrong in his victory speech after winning the Louisiana primary:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/enMIKniTHoI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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He was clearly unprepared and unsure of himself. This was apparent not only in his content, but also in his eyes.<br />
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Notice the way his eyes dark back and forth when he speaks. The lack of focused, sustained eye contact lowers his status and makes him appear nervous, shifty - and worst of all - unconfident.<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">From the Green Room: Use your eyes to connect with each person in your audience. Look directly at one person at a time. Don't rush, but instead focus on one person per thought.</span></i></b><br />
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<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-75452464294122709472012-03-20T09:42:00.003-05:002012-03-20T09:42:51.240-05:00Match Your Voice to Your MessageWatch Peter Diamandis' recent TED talk: Abundance is Our Future:<br />
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Diamandis' message is one of great optimism and hope. We believe his words, not just because he has compelling content but also because his voice sounds strong and uplifting. <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">From the Green Room: If you want your message to stick, the sound of your voice, needs to be in sync with your content</span></b></i>.Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-77663418520601351692012-03-20T09:12:00.000-05:002012-03-20T09:12:01.770-05:00Kony 2012: The Power of a StoryWhat makes the beginning of the Kony 2012 video so gripping? <br />
<br />
Rather than focus on the broad issue and facts about Joseph Kony's horrific crimes, the filmmaker hones in on the story of a single child - Jacob. Using concrete details, vivid language, and of course - pictures, he makes us care about the issue right from the start:<br />
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i style="color: #38761d;"><b>From the Green Room: If you want to move people to action, before you give them the facts, try telling them a story.</b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-66169020443277014022012-02-27T10:21:00.002-05:002012-02-27T10:24:46.813-05:00Speaking Lesson from Meryl Streep: Take a Breath<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="421" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://videos.mediaite.com/embed/player/?content=MWRQQQ1YWLL3S9F1&content_type=content_item&layout=&playlist_cid=&media_type=video&widget_type_cid=svp&read_more=1" width="420"></iframe><br />
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So often Oscars acceptance speeches are a torrent of thank you's - the speaker tries to get everything in before the music cuts in.<br />
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While understandable at the Oscars, this is a mistake speakers often make. We try to fill up the space with as many words as possible - and leave no room for what is one of the speaker's most powerful tools - <i>silence.</i><br />
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What made Meryl Streep's acceptance speech so refreshing - and so elegant - was her pacing. She breathed. She spoke slowly. She actually left time for the audience to absorb her words.<br />
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Granted, she went over her time limit. But if all of us could give that kind of speech in under three minutes, we'd be doing pretty well!<br />
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<div style="color: #38761d;">
<i><b>From the Green Room: Say less. Say it slower. Give yourself time to pause - and the audience time to process your words. </b></i></div>
<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-87333626524151163642012-02-22T23:33:00.002-05:002012-02-22T23:33:22.768-05:00One Word OnlyIn tonight's CNN GOP debate, the candidates were asked to describe themselves in one word only.<br />
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One of these words doesn't belong with the others. Which one is it?<br />
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A. Ron Paul: Consistent<br />
B. Rick Santorum: Courage<br />
C. Mitt Romney: Resolute<br />
D. Newt Gingrich: Cheerful<br />
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If you answered "C," I agree.<br />
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The other three words are concrete - and thus memorable.<br />
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"Resolute" is about as abstract a choice as you can get - and is thus utterly unremarkable and unmemorable. As proof, notice the lack of audience reaction after Romney states his choice.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">From the Green Room: Whether you have one word or 1,000 - if you want your ideas to stick, use concrete language.</span></b></i><br />
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<br />Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-54119938588493120242012-02-06T21:13:00.000-05:002012-02-06T21:13:50.863-05:00Madonna Teaches Us How to Mess UpWhen you get up to speak, you will inevitably make a mistake. Everyone does. What separates the good from the great is not how perfect you are, but how well you can recover.<br />
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It was hard to miss Madonna's twice near falls in last night's Super Bowl Halftime Show:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PyfdoZldrS4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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What was striking about these mistakes was how <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678570/madonna-super-bowl-halftime-fumbles.jhtml">she kept going and didn't miss a beat.</a><br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>From the Green Room: Sometimes your most impressive speaking moments happen when something goes wrong, and you bounce back. Embrace your foibles, and keep going!</b></i></div>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-87797906569928343042012-01-31T21:06:00.001-05:002012-01-31T21:16:23.104-05:00Singing vs Song-Leading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBUK7CIGccg/Tyif7Iosp9I/AAAAAAAADUE/R3hUp8ZZwU8/s1600/obama%2Bal%2Bgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBUK7CIGccg/Tyif7Iosp9I/AAAAAAAADUE/R3hUp8ZZwU8/s200/obama%2Bal%2Bgreen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Watch this video comparing Obama and Romney singing: <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRPirnW071o/TyigDzIOnNI/AAAAAAAADUM/ehUFENAapI4/s1600/romney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRPirnW071o/TyigDzIOnNI/AAAAAAAADUM/ehUFENAapI4/s200/romney.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26852192/vp/46200939#46200939">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26852192/vp/46200939#46200939</a><br />
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Vocal talent aside, why was Obama's performance so much more compelling?<br />
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Obama's "Let's Stay Together" conveyed real emotion, while Romney's "America the Beautiful" did not. Romney led the song, while Obama <i>sang</i> the song. And the audience immediately felt the difference.<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">From the Green Room: If you want to convey emotion, be a singer, not a song-leader. Emotions are contagious. The surest way to get your audience to feel a certain way, is if they feel the emotion coming from you. </span></b></i>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-60524516621573032072012-01-06T13:26:00.001-05:002012-01-06T13:28:24.732-05:00Don't Undermine YourselfListen to how Michelle Bachmann responds to her introduction at the opening Iowa Caucus Night Speech:<br />
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Brad gives her a rousing introduction which he ends by saying that Bachmann:<br />
<div style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c;">"...pound for pound is the toughest person in Washington, DC." </div><br />
Bachmann proceeds to take all the energy out of his words when she says: <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #0b5394;">"I was introduced in all 99 counties counties with that same phrase, "pound for pound."</div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><i><b>From the Green Room: No matter how embarrassed or annoyed you are by a on overly flattering, repetitive, or lengthy introduction, don't express this publicly. <u>You will only undermine yourself. </u></b></i></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="color: #38761d;"><i><b>To avoid this problem in the first place, take time to go over introduction beforehand. People are almost always happy for the speaker to give guidance on this. </b></i></div>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-10716456087116957352012-01-05T13:38:00.000-05:002012-01-05T13:38:58.683-05:00Speaking Lesson from Drew Brees: It's You, Not MeWatch New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees' speech, after breaking Dan Marino's single season passing record:<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LSJTEd0v0hQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Notice how he rarely speaks about his own feelings and accomplishments, but instead focuses on the roles played by everyone else. Not only does this show tremendous moral character, but it is a much more compelling and exciting speaking style. <br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>From the Green Room: As much as possible, substitute "you" for "I." </b></i></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>For example, try to avoid beginning a speech by saying something like "I'm honored to be here." Instead, begin with a "you" statement: "Each one of you made this day possible."</b></i></div>Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374040349510552859.post-78266692377278501382011-12-21T09:16:00.000-05:002011-12-21T09:16:23.572-05:00Speaking Lesson from ElmoListen to this NPR interview with Kevin Clash, the man behind Elmo:<br />
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About six minutes into the interview, Terry Gross asks Elmo what he has to do to remain invisible, especially when kids come into the studio. <br />
<br />
He responds:<br />
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<blockquote>"They really don't look at me when they see Elmo. They run to Elmo because it's a friend of <br />
theirs that they've been talking to and communicating with and singing with for so many years. We've found that the delusion is not broken by seeing us puppeteers. They see the characters in front of them. ... I get humbled by it all the time. The things that they tell Elmo, the expression on their face when they see their friend."</blockquote><br />
As a puppeteer, Clash connects with his audience by making himself invisible - by being someone Elmo. On one hand, making yourself invisible is the opposite of what you need to do as a speaker. You need to reveal yourself in order to connect to the audience. <br />
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On the other hand, there is a powerful speaking lesson here. By removing himself from the picture, Clash is able to be fully generous and present with his audience.<br />
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As a speaker, self-consciousness inhibits presence. When we are too aware of ourselves, we fail to be fully present with the audience - and we get nervous. <br />
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By focusing on the audience - by being generous - we are able to give the audience the full gift of our presence.Sarah Gershmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09092765869493763383noreply@blogger.com0