The Listenary

You’ve done the research, the visual aids, the writing, the memorization, the visualization. You are ready.


From your seat on the second row, you watch the board members. One of them looks your way and you look at her and smile slightly. You listen to the announcer introducing you. On your way to the lectern, you hear your feet scuff against a cord you hadn’t seen stretched across the walk area, and your body balance never falters. When you get to the lectern, you arrange your visual aids and turn to look at the board. You actually listen to them listening to you during that moment before you speak. You find at least one person giving you open eye contact, or else you make up one in your mind, and you begin. You know your content so well that now you can focus on your audience. You use your natural charisma to build relationship with as many on that board as you can reach during your presentation. You don’t worry about the others. Your punch line is powerful because you’ve heard correctly at least some of the motivations in those eyes around the table; you have listened well. You gather your visual aids and return to your seat amidst spontaneous applause.

For me, the content in public speaking is art, and the delivery is relationship. It’s that simple. I listen to people everywhere I go in order to enhance my ability to create art that is relevant, and then I listen to my audience during delivery in order to build relationships among them.


I believe listening is the link to power and influence in public speaking.