by Randall CraigFiled in: Blog, Communication, Make It Happen Tipsheet, Networking, Presentations, Professional Development, Promotion
When you are speaking to a large group, who is more important – the audience or you?
Picture this: there is an entire audience sitting on the edge of their chairs, listening to each and every one of your words. You may have been paid thousands to deliver your speech. And there you are, on the platform, under the bright lights with a microphone in your hand. So who is more important – them or you?
While not many readers may be professional speakers, the same question arises when you are sharing your ideas in a meeting with your colleagues: who is more important – them or you?
And again: when you are about to make that big sales pitch, who is more important – them or you?
At the risk of sounding rude, the number one rule of beginning relationships is that no one cares about you — they only care about how you can solve their problem. In all three of the above cases, we typically forget that we are in the limelight only because someone has put us there. And they’ve done so for a reason.
As soon as you realize it is not all about “me”, then it is easier to begin understanding all about “them” – and their reason for caring about what you say.
Before your next meeting of any type, write down what the other meeting participants’ needs are. Hint: if you aren’t sure, do some research or ask them directly. Then make sure that your agenda and your preparation will satisfy them. Only once their needs are met can you expect them to reciprocate. And when they do, it will not just be in the meeting, but outside as well.
Does this topic resonate? Reach out to Randall: he can present it to your group. (More presentation topics) Download Randall’s professional credentials: Speaker credentials one-sheet or Management Advisory credentials.
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