As a motivational speaker, you want to inspire and influence your audience with your message and your presence. But how can you avoid undermining your credibility and trustworthiness, especially when you are speaking to different cultures and contexts? Here are some tips to help you avoid common pitfalls and enhance your reputation as a speaker.
Before you deliver your speech, do some research on your audience's background, values, expectations, and challenges. This will help you tailor your content, tone, and style to their needs and preferences. You will also avoid making assumptions, generalizations, or stereotypes that might offend or alienate them. Show that you respect and understand their culture and context, and that you are not there to impose your own views or agenda.
Meeting with clients beforehand to understand their needs, challenges and learn more about the people attending the keynote (i.e., the audience) is key. You can include important messages by weaving them into the conversation.
One of the most important factors that influence your credibility and trustworthiness is your authenticity and honesty. Don't try to be someone you are not, or pretend to have qualifications, experiences, or achievements that you don't. Be yourself, and share your stories, insights, and lessons learned with sincerity and humility. Don't exaggerate, embellish, or fabricate facts or data to support your points. If you don't know something, admit it, and don't make promises that you can't keep. Your audience will appreciate your transparency and integrity.
I think that you will never know everything there is to know about a particular subject, even if you're highly skilled and have been exposed to it a decent amount. This can definitely lead to a slippery slope as you might argue yourself in circles that not only confuses your audience, but you also undermine your character, even with all your knowledge. Try to stay in your lane of knowledge. Stepping out of your comfort zone is fine, but there's a time and place for doing such. On the other hand, if you aren't exposed to a certain subject, or a specific area of said subject, don't even try to venture into that area. Be up front about it and your audience will be glad that you are responsible and know your limits.
Another way to avoid undermining your credibility and trustworthiness is to use appropriate language and gestures when you speak. Avoid using jargon, slang, or acronyms that might confuse or exclude your audience. Use simple, clear, and concise words that convey your message effectively. Avoid using profanity, sarcasm, or jokes that might be inappropriate or insensitive to your audience's culture or context. Use gestures that are natural, confident, and respectful, and avoid those that might be rude, aggressive, or disrespectful. Be aware of the cultural meanings and nuances of your verbal and non-verbal communication.
To enhance your credibility and trustworthiness, you need to back up your claims and arguments with evidence and examples. Don't rely on your opinions, beliefs, or emotions alone. Use facts, statistics, studies, quotes, testimonials, or case studies that support your points and show that you have done your homework. Use examples that are relevant, relatable, and realistic to your audience's culture and context. Don't use outdated, inaccurate, or irrelevant information that might undermine your authority or credibility.
Finally, you can avoid undermining your credibility and trustworthiness by inviting feedback and questions from your audience. This shows that you value their opinions, perspectives, and experiences, and that you are open to learning from them. It also gives you an opportunity to clarify any misunderstandings, address any concerns, or provide more information that might enhance your message. Don't ignore, dismiss, or criticize feedback or questions that might challenge or contradict you. Instead, acknowledge them, thank them, and respond to them respectfully and constructively.
Inviting feedback and allowing questions are essential. It doesn't diminish your authority as the "go-to expert" on your subject matter but it does show your audience that you don't consider yourself an arrogant "know-it-all" and their perspective, comments, feedback, questions are not only interesting to you but something you seek out regularly as a means of growth/development as a professional speaker/expert.