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For success in giving a speech, you must be able to bond with your audience. How? There’s a simple technique you can use to earn loyalty and trust with your audience members.
Many speakers, however, overlook using the technique, according to a thought leader in communication.
“Acknowledgment is often overlooked in favor of content,” says Eric Stone, a leading speech performance coach and former New York City stage and television actor.
“Acknowledging people is a wonderful key to cultivating trust, confidence and loyalty,” he adds. Mr. Stone operates Speakers and Artists International, Inc. (www.publicspeakingconnection.com) in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Communication and intimacy
He says speakers falsely assume that a person or our audience already feels acknowledged.”
He points out acknowledgment is effective in all forms of communication and intimacy.
“To use a good example, when a person falls in love, the other is showered day and night with acknowledgement in the form of compliments, notes, poems, flowers, gifts, surprises, actions, etc.,” he asserts.
He poses this question: “Who doesn’t want to be recognized and appreciated?” His question represents a smart idea.
“To acknowledge means to allow, approve, endorse, support, see, empower, appreciate and RECOGNIZE,” exclaims the consultant.
“It is quite subtle but all forms of recognition begin in acknowledgement,” says Mr. Stone. “The opposite verbs are to ignore, refuse, dismiss, despise, resist, shun, oppose or repudiate.”
So acknowledgment is a key to effective communication.
“It breaks the ice in any situation when done appropriately, with tact and, of course, timing,” he explains. “I had a teacher that used to say ‘If you want to be popular, get interested not interesting.’”
Mr. Stone’s final takeaways:
“When in doubt, always acknowledge something you really like about the person you are with or your audience,” he says. “Do it from-the-heart and don’t pretend it.”
Agreed. Additionally, I really like his following point:
“Put all your energy behind it and make it an event,” he concludes. “Our performance and success depend on it!”
From the Coach’s Corner, for outstanding public speaking, here are more tips from Mr. Stone:
You Can Be a Popular Speaker with the Power of Touch — Effective public speakers know the power of physical touch, says a leading expert in how to improve communication with others, public speaking and performance. “In my humble view, there is never enough attention given to the formidable power of tactile connection,” asserts Eric Stone – a former New York City stage and television actor, operates Speakers and Artists International, Inc. in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Success in Public Speaking Stems from Being Natural…Here’s How — Ever notice how some public speakers perform flawlessly? How they seem to be authentic, natural speakers? Our thought processes prevent us from becoming natural speakers, says Eric Stone, a leading expert in how to improve communication with others, public speaking and performance.
13 Best Practices for Fun, Successful PowerPoint Presentations — You want to give fun, successful PowerPoint presentations, right? To do so, you must remember the proper relationship among the slide, your audience and you, according to an expert. Here’s how.
Maximize Your Speaking with the Power of Pauses — Have you ever noticed why some people succeed as powerful public speakers? One salient reason is they know how to use the power of pauses. “Along with rooted passion and deliberate enthusiasm, pauses are the true launching pads of any great verbal impact,” says Eric Stone, a leading expert in how to improve communication with others.
Communication – You Can Train Yourself to Stop Stressing — It’s OK to be nervous before giving a speech or when you’re entering an important round of negotiations. Feeling pressure is one thing but allowing it to morph into stress and tension is another. When you allow this to happen, in a sense, you’re giving away your personal power, which inhibits your performance.
Acting, Speaking Coach: How to Improve Communication with Others — Do you know when you marginalize others? If you’re having communication problems with someone important in your career or life, chances are one or both of you will profit from tips in honest communication. This is also true if you want to get a job. Savvy employers know poor communication skills hamper efficiency and productivity.
Public Speaking Tips – for Speeches in Accepting Awards, Honors — So you’re about to be honored for your pro bono work, volunteerism, or for creating a foundation to fund scholarships for education. But you get stage fright or don’t know how to most-effectively frame your acceptance speech? Join the crowd. A lot of people have difficulty in public speaking.
“The institution asked me to speak and say a few words. So, knowing a few is three, I said, I love you.”
-Jarod Kintz
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