Engaging Audiences in Public Speaking

Video Transcript

"But now let's consider what can happen when people don't pay attention. Now as an example, let us say that I'm going to give this talk and I have a real problem with my audience. But you know what, it doesn't bother me. I'm here to give this talk and I'm going to give this talk and it's just not going to bother me at all whatever happens in the audience. I came here determined to give this talk. So I'm talking to my people and I'm telling them everything that I want to tell them and as we proceed with this talk of course I know that I'm trying to communicate a message that is really, really interesting, but if they don't want to hear me, I don't care. First principle about how to ruin a good talk. Because you are there to communicate right. You can't communicate if you are going to ignore your audience and especially if you don't care what they do or say. You have lost them. Now just now you have seen something that is taking place. I'm giving this talk, my words are flowing and nobody is paying attention, they are over there playing a dice game. For heaven sakes. Now if I ask them anything about the talk that I'm giving, nobody would be able to answer me one single question. No one will I get answered. Why? Oh great. They'll be just one. Oh great seven. We have just lost our topic, it's become a gambling game. Once again you see the principle. You have to pay attention with your audience and you have to keep that attention. And if you see that there are things or cues that take that attention away, address that attention immediately."