The Workshop Leader's Resource

We all have a mind, an imagination and words which are produced from combining language, syntax and grammar. This is mechanics. We put stories down on paper, offer metaphors for hitting a point home and in the process, we hope to get a moment of a totally silent audience. This is finesse. Embracing the art of authentic public speaking is a magical mixture of both.

Before I dive into this most fascinating topic, I wish to offer a disclaimer: my approach is unconventional. It will not work for those who enjoy their successful comfort zones – and more power to them. I am a fan of many things “guerilla”, doing things differently and realize that often, I am speaking to an already rather SAVVY audience. I am always refining the message and offering new twists on conventional wisdom. I keep it fresh not only for the participants, but also to remain engaged myself. Otherwise, I would get bored with my own words. I call this Going Off Script.

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I’ve been putting together the Women’s Spirituality Leadership Teleconference and I’ve been recruiting speakers to the event.  Sadly, this is harder than it should be.  You see, I’ve found several women speakers who I would have loved to have on the conference, but I couldn’t reach them.  I’ve got a short date because of scheduling issues and I need to reach people by phone, but the best I can do in some instances is Facebook messages and in others LinkedIn connections.  They haven’t shared enough information online for me to be able to reach them to be able to give them an opportunity to speak.

So here’s my thought for you for the day.  Make sure you’re reachable.  You never know who will be trying to contact you to offer you an opportunity to speak.  Sign out of Facebook and make sure your phone number is visible to people who aren’t your friends.  Sign out of LinkedIn and see what contact information you have listed.  Check your website to make sure that there is a way to reach you.   People will go digging for contact info if they really want you, but there’s a limit to how far.  Don’t make them work too hard for it.