WHAT IS THE AUDIENCE THINKING?
Why are so many people afraid to give a speech? Interestingly enough, it's not the actual fear of speaking. It's rather who is listening. Or more specifically, what is the audience thinking about while they're listening?
When asked what their number one fear is, most people will say, "Being judged."
In a good way or a bad way?
Is there a good way? Why do so many people expect that when they give a speech, the audience is looking for ways to criticize them and find them wanting?
First off, how do we know that's what the audience is thinking? Is it their body language? We’re usually making a guess depending on whether or not they're paying attention. Are they crossing their arms defiantly, yawning, looking at their cellphones, studying their fingernails, whispering to their neighbor, or even just sitting there with closed eyes and crossed arms, obviously asleep. They look so grim. They seem like a firing squad, ready to shoot us down.
Would you believe that about 90% of the time, it’s not true?
Okay, it’s possible that in any given audience, maybe 10% of the folks have a "Show me!" attitude, gleefully looking for flaws in any presenter and the presentation. But the truth is that 90% of the audience does not.
The audience is like a nest of baby birds, mouths open, crying "Feed me! Feed me!" They've come to hear you because you have 'food' they crave.
They want to leave the room knowing something they didn't know when they came in. Your talk is the gift they've come to receive. Who doesn't like to receive a gift?
Yeah, but... they still look like they’re judging us.
Looks are deceiving. How can we tell what is going on in the minds of the audience?
Let's take all those behaviors mentioned above and say that one interpretation of them is, "They're judging me and deciding I'm not good enough." What are some other interpretations that we can say about an audience member who demonstrates these behaviors?
Crossed arms and a defiant expression on his face? That's his "listening" pose. He's really paying very strict attention and processing everything you say. He's not judging, he's absorbing.
Yawning? She didn't get enough sleep last night, has been working solidly on a project and has come to hear you speak as a welcome break. It's her first chance to relax in a long while.
Looking at tech devices? Taking notes of things they want to remember or questions they want to ask during the Q&A. Posting how great your talk is. Making a memo to tell others about you, maybe invite you to speak to their groups.
Whispering to her neighbor? Missed something, asking for help. Commenting favorably on a point you just made. Needs to borrow a pen.
Eyes closed? Focusing on your voice. They hear better with no visual distractions.
Here's the thing. You can't read their minds. Whatever they're thinking is known only to them. It's not your job to analyze their body language and worry about what you think you see.
Your job is to give your gift, present your material, make your message land. You're like a baseball pitcher throwing at the plate. The pitcher cannot control how the batter will react to the pitch. He can only control how he sends the ball, the direction, angle, speed, etc. The batter is not waiting to criticize the pitch. He's waiting to receive it and act on it.
How they react to your presentation is not under your control. But you can rest assured that they came because you're pitching something they want to hear. All you need to think about is sending your message over the plate.
That's the gift they came to get and you're the only one who can deliver it.
Focus on delivering your gift. Your preparation, enthusiasm and sincerity will make it a solid strike that your audience will recognize and admire.