How to Be an Engaging Session Speaker
“Do you get nervous?”
“How do you summon up that kind of energy?”
“What can I do to become a more engaging speaker?”
After keynoting at a recent conference, I had the opportunity to meet and greet attendees at the evening reception. Many session speakers scheduled for the next few days came to ask me these questions and more. Here is what I told them:
It Is All About the Content—Not Me
My function as a speaker is to teach participants something new and motivate them to take action. It’s all about the ideas. I want the program to be engaging because if I can keep everyone’s attention, they are more likely to be inspired and prioritize a few small tests on their busy to-do lists.
Focusing on the content works for me and takes the pressure off because if I flub up a word or make some other mistake, it doesn’t matter; I’m still spreading valuable ideas.
But sometimes, even after over 200 keynotes and workshops in the past 3-1/2 years, nerves still strike.
Use the Body-Mind Connection
Recently, I looked out over a crowd of more than 750 people as a volunteer leader introduced me. The conference had one of the biggest audiences I’ve spoken to. I could feel some of those old butterflies start to wake up. When this happens, I stand tall, put my shoulders back, and ground my feet to the earth. (Check out researcher Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on power poses.)
Mentally, as I stand there, I’m running through my words. “What words?” you ask. Before I take the stage, I’ll ask myself, “How do I want participants to feel during this keynote?” Often, my answers are words like these: hopeful, happy, light-hearted, and engaged. I want them to have fun and feel that light-bulb moment. Grounding my feet and saying those words is a habit that I’ve developed that gets my brain into presentation mode.
Reframe the Butterflies
Nervous butterflies feel awful. It’s easy to fall into the spiral of worrying, which brings on the butterflies and worrying all the more because now those darned butterflies are performing their stomach-churning little dance. That’s why I love the reframing I heard from another keynote speaker, Michael Hyatt. He said that as soon as he feels those twinges of nervousness, he knows that feeling is his body’s way of getting ready to present. It’s not worry, but rather energy building, and that energy helps him do his best. Michael’s reframe works well for me, too.
Turning Up the Dials
The moment the person introducing me says, "Let's welcome Amanda Lea Kaiser to the stage!!!” I run-walk to the stage, and while I’m physically dialing up the energy, I’m mentally dialing up certain personality dials like enthusiasm, warmth, and even exuberance. Check out the dial methodology in this article.
Focus on First Impressions
Attendees decide within just a few seconds whether the session will be good. In those few seconds, they’ll decide if they are going to participate or even learn anything. Don’t waste that time with introductions or credentials. Do something that pulls them in. You can ask a magical question. Priya Parker says a magical question is a question everyone wants to answer, and everyone wants to hear everyone else's answers.
You can begin before the official start with an Unofficial Start activity (an idea I got from my colleague, Mark Collard), to engage participants who have arrived.
Beginning with facilitated neighbor talks is another powerful way to start your session. Pose a question to get them engaging with the content with each other.
When are you presenting next? Which of these ideas would you like to try first?
