Projecting your personality is an essential tool of anybody who speaks regularly in public. Without personality, your speech will be as dull as dish water. When you leave your personality at the door, you make it hard for your audience to warm to you. The group have to like your personality before they buy into your message. When you see somebody exuding confidence and personality in their speech in front of a small or large group, it's as if they own the room. Many people with a fear of public speaking can only dream of that kind of presence. However, when you address a large group, you do almost subconsciously become the alter ego of yourself. Connecting with so many people is not easy, but when you make that connection, it is a truly memorable experience. One that you will choose to replicate many, many times over your speaking career. If your message is strong and it is delivered powerfully, you will inevitably be invited back time and again. It really boosts your confidence and when your audience see your name on the future programme, it gives them something to look forward to. I have noticed over many years of speaking some subtle changes in myself and my demeanour. As a professional speaker and trainer, I become increasingly focused on my group or audience leading up to the event. Some years ago, I remember that I had to travel to Brighton to officiate a speaking contest. Some friends lived there and so I took my wife and daughter along to drop them off while I attended the event. Sadly, my daughter was ill in the car and for seventy miles or so screamed throughout the journey. I arrived in somewhat stressful circumstances two minutes before the event was scheduled to start. On the motorway, my concern was that I would be terribly late and my daughter's condition was quite upsetting. However, the moment I arrived at the venue, I became immediately calm and focused and was delighted to see so many smiling and friendly faces. I had forgotten the awful journey and I was ready to perform my duties with an air of calm assurance. Am I a Jekyll and Hyde personality? No, I don't think so. Just one of professional conditioning acquired over many years. I actually alluded to the journey a few times in my final summary and indeed often use it now as an anecdote when coaching and mentoring executives embarking on their speaking careers. Personality + focus + increasing experience = SUCCESS! Copyright (c) 2010 The College Of Public Speaking
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