Why listen to a public speaker?
There are three reasons I would listen to a public speaker:
- I’m intrigued by them and would like to know more. Perhaps there’s potential synergy between us; or we appear to share a similar approach to our work.
- The title is catchy and I think the topic is relevant to me right now.
- I’m searching for a fresh perspective or inspiration and I want someone to stimulate my creative juices.
In reality a public speaker…
Often doesn’t meet expectation because we don’t have any input; we simply pay and turn up:
It turns out the public speaker doesn’t share my values; or the synergy was in my imagination.
The topic sounded good but the talk didn’t live up to its billing. Or it only scratched the surface of the subject in question.
I try to make a point of learning something new at these events – or even re-learning something I already know; but the lift I get from that doesn’t last long. I need help to shape those creative snippets into something meaningful.
The upshot is that I attend these events with ‘my’ outputs in mind and then I’m disappointed when I come away without them having been met.
Public Speaker Brand
As a result, it has taken me a while to articulate what kind of speaker I want to be – if at all. Finally, I realised that I enjoy serving as a liaison between leaders, and a facilitator of events, rather than a public speaker per se.
So, here are the types of speaking engagements that suit my style and typically generate rave reviews…
Please call on me when:
You’d love to tap into some encouragement, inspiration and challenge – because it’s lonely at the top.
You want to tune up the team’s potential; to inspire as well as be inspired by them.
You’re looking to inspire the next generation – I’m frequently invited to be a guest speaker on Inspirational Leadership for University undergraduates and postgraduates.