In my previous post I talked a bit about charisma as the defining characteristic of any speaker. Here’s the acid-test. How do you do?
10 things that show you’re a charismatic speaker
- You’re confident enough in yourself to treat every audience you meet as (at least) your equal in most things, and your superior in some. Poor speakers tend to defer or dominate by default.
- You follow the basic principles of social courtesy wherever you go, whatever you’re doing, whoever you meet- the cleaner, the organiser or the sound guy.
- You can consciously change the mood in the room to, meet the audience’s needs when you speak, because you understand what moves and inspires others.
- You’re in touch with your own emotions and flexible enough to match your expression of those emotions to the needs of the people in the room.
- You understand that your point of view is an opinion and present it as such. And welcome difference, argument and feedback however inexpertly given.
- You listen to people’s objections to your point of view, and show that you have listened, whether you agree with it or not.
- You encourage, acknowledge and support the other person’s right to disagree with your point of view.
- You leave people feeling good about themselves and realise, and care, when you haven’t.
- You have a set of principles in your life of speaking to strangers, that you share and follow however hard it is, and however unfair some situations may be.
- You understand that your position confers privileges- to be listened to, duties- to be professional, prepared and courteous whoever the crowd; and responsibilities- to be there on time, to stay after time, and remember who paid for your Ferrari.
What do you think? What have I missed? Please feel free to join our LinkedIn group now.