Creating a Connection
The catcher in me!
I bring the conversation to them.
Baseball was my dream job, and as a catcher I spent most of my career squatting, kneeling, and getting hit by foul balls. But the skill of squatting and kneeling has served me well far beyond my baseball years, as I find myself doing it a lot during each presentation.
I bring the conversation to them.
I bring the conversation to them.
Bringing myself down to their eye level makes the experience more personal for them, and for me.
Eye to eye.
Psychology says that eye contact:
- Improves communication and understanding
- Increase Trust
- Enhance empathy and compassion
- Increases sense of connection
Commuicating with kids.
Most people speak one way to someone when it's a one-on-one conversation, and then another as the number of people increase into a large group. Most presenter talking to large groups go into what I call presenters cadence. It's a style where you talk to the room, and no one particular.
Be real, be warm, be inviting!
Be real, be warm, be inviting!
When I listen to most presenters speaking, they sound like they are talking to an audience. It's like watching a comedian on stage, we hear his words, we can laugh as we relate to what he is saying, but he's not talking to me.
.
I know as the listener, that style works if I am interested in the topic, but if not, I do find myself getting a little dozy.
For instance, think about that not so inspiring Sunday sermon that went on 15 minutes to long.
Talk to them, not at them.
Be real, be warm, be inviting!
Kids are not adults. If the content is preachy and less than conversational, the kids may respond like that bad Sunday sermon.
Just keep in mind that each audience also comes with students that vary in age and maturity levels. Adjustments need to be made to your communication skills to accommodate those changes.
Conversational Speaking
Talking to an audience in a conversational manner is not hard, and it allows you to work the audience, and draw them in. Because as you're talking every student you look at will think you are talking directly to them. What is required for the best results?
- Movement
- Head or Body Microphone
- Working the room
- Create a Center Isle
- Having isles around the perimeter if possible (ask teachers to slide their chair back)
- Give everyone a chance to be in the front row
Normally the kids will turn and follow you as you move, so the sight line even at the back of the audience isn't usually a problem. Their bodies and heads will turn and face you no matter where you go.
Make the space yours: At the beginning of every program, I explain to the teachers that I will need access to the sides and the back as I perform and speak. Then ask them to please slide their chairs back so I can get by.
Make the space work for you: Be proactive as kids are being seated so their bodies are where you need them to be when the program starts and ask people to move if it doesn't work.