NSAA - I attended a meeting of the National Speakers Association of Australia last night at the Menzies hotel in Sydney. It's a grotty hotel for meetings. Rooms are too small. Coridoors to narrow. Obnoxious chandelairs in the ceilings. Yet it was a good night.
Four of our CSPs (Certified Speaking Professional) presented 20 minute keynotes. The speakers were Robyn Henderson, Ivan Frangi, Colin Pearce and Catherine Palin Brinkworth. Each a seasoned professional, very talented and very different to each other.
It is always a priviledge to sit and watch a great speaker.
A say watch deliberately. The skill of a great communicator lies not in what they say, but how it is received. And reception has far more to do with what you do, who you are, and why you're there than anything you say. Unfortunately most people who stand up to speak don't realise that.
They are amongst that great prolitariate class that thinks that content is king. Content isn't king. It never has been and never will be. if it was, then content experts would be at the top of the food chain in our society. And they aren't.
No, content isn't king. Influence is king.
"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it"
Stevie Wonder.
"Be the chess player, not the chess piece."
Ralph Charell.
"Ya know, I'm no art critic, but I know what I hate."
Montgomery Burns. [sound bite]
If you can reach beyond the mere words, the ideas and the wrteched content, into the heart and soul of the individuals watching and listening - then you can begin to perform magic. Gently warming the embers of passion, of desire, of purpose; carefully fanning the flame of action, of attitude, of will. Until you change a life.
What would you rather do - speak or be heard?
9:15:51 AM 
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