Last year I was scheduled to speak at a conference from 12.30 PM to 1.30 PM. Like it happens the initial delay cascaded into my slot and I was at the lectern only by 1 PM.
The previous speaker had shown music videos,made them dance and charged them up. I wondered how my topic ‘Influence without Authority’ would be received because I had none of the high powered activities.
All I had was strong,practical content with humorous anecdotes and examples peppered throughout.
The audience sat glued from the word go and after a while when a group of women moved around chattering in high decibels, the visibly upset audience asked them to either keep quiet or step out of the hall. And the petrified ladies promptly marched out of the hall.
And the feedback that I got during lunch only fortified my belief that content is still king. Yes you need not overdo the packaging part😎😜
I learnt some valuable lessons that day.
Never be overawed by performances of other speakers.
Rely on your strengths and BE YOURSELF.
Audience is willing to lavish attention if they find value.
