Perspectives  Dallas Chapter of ASTD Membership Newsletter  -  November 2006  << Table of Contents <<

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The Emotionally Intelligent Presenter:

How to Connect with Your Audience in a

Personal, Proven and Purposeful Way

Part 2 of 3

 

by George M. Hendley

 

Abraham Lincoln was known as a story teller. That’s a historical fact and we opened our first article with it last month. And it is where we need to slowly direct our mental steps at this point to really capture more of what I termed earlier as ‘substance and heart’. For it is in capturing the heart of the listener with a substantive and heartfelt message that you demonstrate yourself as an emotionally intelligent (E.I.) presenter.

 

Remembering the earlier reference to Edward Everett on the day Lincoln addressed the crowd at Gettysburg, I said that Everett didn’t make the emotional connection that Lincoln did and history has all but forgotten him. Likewise, your audience of one, one hundred, or one thousand will easily and quickly forget you and your message if there are no anchors of symbolism or thought provoking insights that are woven into your message with story. And story can come in many forms, shapes, colors and sizes.

 

Can You Believe that Body?

Let’s draw on an analogy that should be familiar to all, the human body. I believe it can, with its myriad aspects and abilities, represent most if not all of the needed principles of a well developed and wisely presented presentation. Just to be sure you caught it earlier, presentations (especially the E.I. kind) don’t have to be ‘stand up, face to face, nerve wracking, perspiration inducing, tedious, boring, longer than a minute’ nor many other typical words that we might tend to use to define them. Let’s either think outside the box or dump it altogether. Shall we?

 

There is both form and structure that goes with the human body as well as with the E.I. presentation. Likened to the skeletal system which is our basic structural foundation, a good presentation has the elements of structure without rigidity, form without sharp edges and a simple beauty and perfection that make it both eye catching and ear friendly. It captures our attention without being rude or crude and holds our interest with civility and clarity.

 

The E.I. presenter seeks to build the form and structure that allows her/him to have flexibility and cohesiveness without weakness. He gives the material of his words and the vitality of his delivery, the kind of strength and authority that even the ‘bottom line’ people cannot ignore, roll their eyes or disdain. It has the ‘head nodding’ effect on both the left and right brain folks who often times are forgotten or ignored by their cerebrally close counterparts. Balance and wholeness with facts and fun are all woven like a tapestry that draws the listeners deeper into the color, texture and purpose of the visual, auditory and even kinesthetic message. WOW! It speaks to everyone in a credible believable way.

 

You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard

 

Because you are the message visually, even before you utter a word, your entire appearance speaks oh so loudly. Bert Decker has written a classic by the same title used for this section that illuminates the deeper trust and likeability issues that go with how you and your message are perceived even without a word being heard.

 

Babies can pick up and read the emotional messages from your body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and much more, well before they understand the words you say. That’s especially the case with many adults who revert to nonsensical ‘baby talk’ the moment they come into contact with these smaller (not lesser) forms of intelligence called babies. They ‘get you’ and your deeper meanings and messages by the visual media you present first. Later they are able to build a congruence or recognize a discord between your visual and verbal messages. And you just can’t hide it, fake it or cover it up. It’s you, and that visual picture is worth a million words.

 

More Than Just Eye Candy

Super models (male and female) and Mr. World or Miss America all have a certain ‘eye appeal’. But it takes more than a great structure or form to have depth and substance. There are some gorgeous horses, dogs and apes that can attract the eyes and/or ears. Yet, unless you are an animal aficionado (either the two legged or four legged variety) you can quickly loose interest.  That type of animal appeal will wane sometimes at the snap of a finger. So what grabs us by the nose, holds our interest, and evokes a gut level, emotional response in us? Story…plain and simple.

 

Lincoln was a story teller who used humor to a fine degree. He recognized that story laced with good humor was a far more powerful and effective method of influence than humiliation, shame or other typical tactics. When once challenged to a duel Lincoln opted for an unusual and highly humorous weapon considering the seriousness of the situation. Eschewing the typical weapons of the day which were daggers, swords or pistols, he said, “How about cow dung at five paces?”

 

The E.I. presenter has a wonderfully exhilarating challenge every time he/she moves into action to connect with and potentially inform, influence or inspire that audience of the moment. It is a lifelong course of learning that never ends and is part of our human experience. Come back for our final installment next month when we bring just a few more tasty tidbits of thoughts to digest for your emotionally intelligent growth process. But before you go, enjoy the following old African story.

 

“One day the animals called a contest to measure their strength. Animal after animal displayed their strengths. Monkey leapt high and swung from tree to tree. The animals applauded him. Then Elephant leaned against the same tree and uprooted it, raising it high above his head. The animals agreed the Elephant was stronger than the monkey. Man said, “I am stronger still,” but the animals laughed- how could man be stronger than the Elephant? Man was angry at their laughter and produced a gun. The animals ran away from man forever. Man did not know the difference between strength and death. And to this day, they fear his ignorance.”

 

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About the Author:  George Hendley works with coaches, consultants and business leaders who are successful, but not satisfied. He has been an active member of Dallas ASTD for 14 years and serves as co-chair of the Coaches and Consultants Special Interest Group (SIG).  George is first a learner, but also works as a mentor, coach and trainer as the learning need might require. Find out more about George Hendley at 972.234.4377 or http://www.georgehendleypresents.com