Speechifying: There’s a Reason People Get Paid

Which audience experience do you prefer: Squirming-in-your-seat cringe, or Jumping-out-of-your-seat joy??

Remember that best man’s speech, where the speaker– well, let’s just say he was no longer the best man at the wedding? In fact, he was quite possibly the worst man there??

Or that presentation you went to that you were actually quite excited about – but turned out to be just a stream of consciousness diatribe by an unprepared speaker??

Don’t you wish you hadn’t been there, even all these years later? Don’t you wish you hadn’t been made to cringe so? To waste so much time??

Yeah, same. Which is why on August 7th, we recognise the invaluable role that professional speakers play in our lives. From motivational speakers who lift us up when we're feeling down, to industry experts who enlighten us with their knowledge, these individuals connect, engage, and captivate us with their words.?

Think about that one speech that moved you to tears, the talk that gave you the courage to pursue your dreams, or the presentation that transformed your perspective. Today, we celebrate the power of words to shape minds and touch hearts.?

Let’s take a look at some of the critical ways professional speakers affect our lives.?

Motivate and inspire others?

Professional speakers powerfully use words to motivate, inspire, and encourage others. They provide valuable insight and advice to help people reach their goals and follow their dreams. They give people the confidence and courage they need to take on any challenge or opportunity that comes their way.?

Open up dialogue?

They can initiate new conversations and create an environment of open dialogue and understanding. By talking openly about different topics, cultures, beliefs, values, etc., they can bring people together in meaningful ways that will positively impact everyone involved.?

Promote growth and development?

By listening to professional speakers, we can expand our knowledge base and learn new skills that will enable us to grow both professionally and personally. Listening to these experts can push us out of our comfort zones and encourage us to do things we never thought possible before.!?

Catalysts for change?

These speakers are more than just conveyors of information; they are catalysts for change. They empower us to act, to challenge the status quo, and to embrace new possibilities. They are the navigators in the sea of knowledge, helping us steer through the complexities of life with wisdom and clarity.?

Practice, research, and refinement?

Let’s also take a moment to appreciate the dedication and hard work it takes to become a skilled speaker. Behind every powerful presentation lies countless hours of practice, research, and refinement. It's not just about what they say, but how they say it, how they weave the threads of storytelling and persuasion into a captivating tapestry of communication.?

To all the professional speakers out there, thank you for using your gift to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Your ability to inspire and motivate is a true superpower that we cherish and applaud.?

The listeners?

And let's not forget the audience, who are equally integral to the power of public speaking. Your engagement, attentiveness, and openness to new ideas make this exchange of knowledge and inspiration possible.?

Reflection?

So, as we celebrate Professional Speakers Day, I encourage each one of you to take a moment to reflect on the speeches that have left a lasting impact on your life. Maybe it's a TED Talk that resonated deeply or a conference keynote that sparked a paradigm shift. What was it that made the speech so good? What could you take from it and apply in your work? Why not get in touch with those speakers and express your gratitude for their influence – and perhaps ask for a tip??

Let’s embrace the art of effective communication in our personal and professional lives. We’ve all been to a presentation that sent us to sleep; or worse, one so cringeworthy that we’d have been happier scraping fingernails down blackboards. Nobody wants that again. So whether it's presenting an idea at work, speaking up for a cause you believe in, or simply engaging in meaningful conversations with loved ones, let's remember that our words have the power to shape the world around us.?

As we celebrate Professional Speakers Day, let's celebrate the gift of speech – the gift that connects us, inspires us, and unites us as a global community. To all the speakers and listeners, remember that your voices matter, your stories matter, and your impact is immeasurable.?

#speaker #speech #publicspeaking

Author: Wayne Gosden MCIM - Head of Marketing at Entelechy