What an Interrogator Taught Me About Having Compassion for an Audience

It was my first speech, in over 5 years..

It was for over 200 people.

But not just anyone group of people.

I had put on my resume that I did speech and debate, as well as worked as a political consultant, training others in public speaking strategies.

I was the only one on my team,
that had any formal training in Public Speaking.

The best speaker, was a lieutenant colonel, who was trained to be an interrogator, during the cold war.

-Yea, it was pretty cool.

Here’s what he did that i found made him an exceptional speaker.

When he spoke to the audience, it sounded and felt,
more like he was having a conversation with them.

His tone, mannerisms and approach, reflected this.

-It was a relief for the audience.

As the last speaker, he knew they were tired and bored.

Instead of staying behind the podium like we did,
he moved around the stage.

He would walk closer to some of the audience members in the front row, and back away.

This kept the audience more engaged.

Intrigued.

Their eyes had to follow him around the stage,
Causing them to participate,
indirectly,
in the presentation.

Our presentation was on a very serious topic.

All of us, gave very serious presentations.

It had been 45mins worth, of serious, serious, serious.

He opened up with some humor

and the audience immediately laughed.

He also made fun of himself.

-What else would you expect of a former interrogator?

The first rule of public speaking,
it to demonstrate your expertise and credibility.

However, overdoing this this, can have the opposite effect.

Often, the most confident individuals,
are the most modest and defer expertise to others,
-even if they know they are the expert on the matter.

He made sure to make the audience feel,
like they were just as intelligent than he was,
on the topic he was chosen to teach them about.

This goes a long way,
making others feel like they are as knowledgeable as you.

Like the above concepts,
the closer you are to using the same vocabulary level as your audience,
the more they will be able to relate to you.

When he discussed topics or concepts (whenever I spoke to him, not just when he gave presentations),
he always made sure to explain more complex concepts,
in simple terms.

He was easy to relate to.

I would have opened up to him about anything..

hmmm…

Mathew’s Strategic Consulting Firm,
is a boutique consulting firm offering Strategic Communications Training, Research-Analysis and Career Consulting

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