When a Good Speech Goes Bad

The first thing to remember is that our perceptions are not as objective as we might think – in fact they are extremely subjective. There have been numerous times when I have made blunders and thought that the audience would never forgive me. After the speech I found out that they completely missed the errors, or didn’t think they were that significant.

The next thought is to remember that the enemy of a ‘good job’ is not a bad job, but an attempt at a perfect job. This is true for every aspect of our lives, not just public speaking. 

How often do we make the decision that if we can’t do something perfectly then we’re not going to do it all. I actually think that this is why many people avoid public speaking. They’re afraid that they might make a small mistake in front of a lot of people. Their sub consciousnesses are busy asking how they could possibly deal with that level of scrutiny. 

The truth is that none of us are perfect. The worst ones for expecting perfection is ourselves. Remember, our audiences aren’t looking for perfection – they are looking to be informed, moved, or perhaps entertained. Do a good job at that and they will be pleased.

If something happens during a speech, don’t let it shut you down. Don’t give up because perfection was missed. Instead be flexible and work your presentation around it as best you can. If your audience even notices then they will be understanding and appreciate you for doing so.

One particular memory of a speaking competition comes to mind. Now if there is ever a time when you are trying to hit perfection, it’s during a competition. 

I was in my element – speaking with the eloquence of Winston Churchill himself. I had my audience’s rapt attention. As I flawlessly transitioned from my first to second point I thought to myself, “I have this one nailed.”

That rather self-indulgent attitude lasted for about five seconds. It was just as I began my second point that I realized that I had forgotten something very important. I had not addressed my audience. By not addressing the audience I mean that I had not said something like, “Ladies and Gentlemen”. In this case it was a Toastmasters competition so it should have been something like, “Mr. Contest Chair, Fellow Toastmasters and Welcome Guests.” 

What was I to do? I was way beyond the introduction. There was no turning back now. This was a competition, so I was aiming for perfection. One moment I thought I was achieving it, and the next I realized that I have missed by a huge margin.

Fortunately I had the presence of mind to keep speaking. I had practiced my speech enough that I was able to continue while I searched for a solution. I continued speaking but still didn’t have a solution as I transitioned from my second to my third point. I was starting to think that I might just have to conclude the speech without solving the problem and live with the consequences. In reality that wouldn’t have been so bad. I had after all done a reasonably good job of the rest of the speech.

I was concluding my third point when I suddenly realized that I had an opportunity.  Instead of using my rehearsed transition from the third point to the conclusion I used, “And so Mr. Contest Chair, Fellow Toastmasters and welcome guests, in conclusion…” and then went into my conclusion.

I learned an important lesson. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good. It worked for the audience and the judges. In discussing it after, no one had really noticed what I had done.

In our society we get carried away with the illusion of perfection. I believe that it’s those who take risks and deal with the bumps along the road that really make an impact on others. I also believe that you’re one of those people – I know that because you are taking the time and making the effort to conquer your fear of public speaking. Well Done! I know that your audience will be impressed as you ‘do a good job’ and handle problems as best you can.

In upcoming issues we will examine a few specific problems and how you can deal with them gracefully in front of an audience.

The Art of Public Speaking - Other Topics

If it's relevant and I don't have anywhere else to logically put it you will find it here. Actually, it might not even be immediately relevant - but if it's an article that I think you will find helpful for whatever reason I want you to be able to have access to it.

Specific Speaking Skills

I have a confession to make... I'm a want-to-be woodworker. That means that I have a few quality tools (like a table saw, a radial arm saw and a biscuit jointer) but the only thing that I'm really good at is making sawdust.

Actually that's an exaggeration. I can make a bit more than just sawdust. I have built some basic structures that do hold together and perform a function. In the end however, they are just functional - there really isn't an artistic element to them. In order to move beyond the basic structure and create some beauty I need to learn some new skills.

An example might be comparing a wooden box that I would make versus a wooden box that a master woodworker would make. Both boxes might be functional. Both boxes might be made of the same materials. Both boxes might be the same dimensions. Both boxes might even be square - but that's where the similarities end.

The edges of my box would be simple butt joints - that is, one piece of wood pressed up against the other. I could use nails, screws, dowels, or biscuits reinforced with glue to hold it together. If I am feeling really ambitious I might attempt a rabbit joint where I cut away part of one board so that I can inset the other.

A master wood worker is more likely to use something like a dovetail joint. A dovetail joint consists of a series of angled slots cut in both boards. When the boards are fit together the slots interlock, creating not only a more aesthetically pleasing look but also a much stronger joint.

A Butt Joint		A Dovetail Joint

Public speaking is a lot like wood working. We often start off with some basic skills and an idea of what we want. We end up creating something that has structure, form and function. It accomplishes what we want. Although the speech may not be particularly elegant it will get the job done and it will complete more than what most people accomplish simply because they never try.

For many, that’s all they need – a simple speech that has structure and function. It communicates the required information and goes on to motivate. But for others, there often comes a point when they want to move on. They may want to take the effectiveness to another level – that is, to go beyond the basic structure of communicating information and move into the realm of inspiring their audience. They want a dovetail.

And just like starting to cut real dovetails in wood, putting them in speeches requires some understanding and knowledge in order to develop the skills. Here are some points of understanding and knowledge that will help you move beyond the basic structure and start skillfully cutting dovetails.

Leadership and Public Speaking

The ability to motivate others, the ability to influence others, the ability to inspire others has a name - it is leadership. An effective leader is someone who is able to interact with others and help them produce results.

Interaction however requires communication, and communication can take on to basic forms - written and verbal.

Now most leaders don't have a problem with writing skills. They typically can communicate their thoughts quite effectively in written form. They usually don't even have a problem with verbal communication when it is conversational; but make it a public speaking situation and many a stoic leader's knees will buckle.

The problem of course is that like other forms of communication public speaking does have its place as an effective tool in motivating others. Is it any surprise then that the most common attribute among successful executives is the ability to speak in public effectively?

You are already well on your way to becoming an effective leader because you are taking the time to learn about public speaking. The following articles are intended to help you become even more effective at inspiring your followers.

Does Your Audience Understand Your Speech?

If you are not focusing on your audience's needs, then you are simply speaking for the point of hearing yourself and nothing else. The articles in this section are intended to help you move beyond composing speeches because you have to and starting to compose speeches because you want the audience to understand and retain the information/knowledge that you have.

Put your audience first and your speeches will take on a new level of effectiveness.