People Matter

eNewsletter - September 2010

Speaking under fire

Hostile audiences are common – especially in politics, the business world and community leadership. For example, a CEO may be confronted by angry shareholders, or a government official may be required to face a group of elderly people, affected by a reduced level of social services, say. When speaking to such audiences, the way you handle the audience’s hostility determines success.

Thus your objective is to dispel an audience’s hostility and convince them that your side has some merit. This can be accomplished in several ways:

Shift their focus. The audience probably opposes you because of specific concerns or fears it has. Shift the focus from the points of conflict toward areas on which you all agree. For example, if the controversy concerns a new shopping centre, it probably centres on size and location rather than the positive influence on the local economy. Thus help the audience understand how a healthy economy benefits everyone.

Show them a new way of viewing your side. Clarify the problem or argument from the listeners’ point of view, then show them that your side is not as bad as they may think. Do this in a helpful, informative manner, not in an argumentative or arrogant way. You may be outnumbered by those in opposition, but you gain credibility if you support your position with facts and examples.

Ally with positive symbols. Along with our facts, be sure to include the emotional aspect of persuasion. Controversial issues always involve symbols, and the side more effectively associated with positive symbols, such as law, economic security, conservation or family will be more likely to prevail. Relating your side to such emotional symbols is a powerful persuasive technique.

Tactfully refute the opposition. You need to counter the opposition arguments that already have convinced your audience, but do it in a non-threatening manner. Avoid any statement that could be interpreted as a personal attack on your listeners or other statements that question their education or integrity.

Appeal to their self-interests. Illustrate ways in which adopting your viewpoint will be more helpful to them personally than if they followed the opposition.

Maintain eye contact. In most cultures, the act of looking someone directly in the eyes is a symbol of sincerity. Speakers who establish eye contact are considered more truthful, honest, credible, friendly, and skilful than those who do not. You may be uncomfortable meeting the gaze of someone who is openly hostile but, by looking at your listeners as individuals, you convey to them that you are sincere and care about them. Keep your voice pleasant and easy to listen to.

Source: Toastmaster International, Advanced Communication & Leadership Series, Public Relations, Speaking Under Fire, p16-17

** Learn more about Speaking Under Fire and the tips and tricks for persuading an audience by attending our ‘Public speaking: Persuading an audience’ training course on Tue 5 th Oct 2010, 09:00-17:00 hours at the Institute of Directors, London, SW1, United Kingdom **

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Poet’s Corner:

An Autumn Evening by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Those of you that have attended our public speaking training sessions know the importance of crafting compelling speeches using beautiful English. So, each month, we feature a topical poem or passage that paints a picture using beautiful language.

Dark hills against a hollow crocus sky

Scarfed with its crimson pennons, and below

The dome of sunset long, hushed valleys lie

Cradling the twilight, where the lone winds blow

And wake among the harps of leafless trees

Fantastic runes and mournful melodies.

The chilly purple air is threaded through

With silver from the rising moon afar,

And from a gulf of clear, unfathomed blue

In the southwest glimmers a great gold star

Above the darkening druid glens of fir

Where beckoning boughs and elfin voices stir.

And so I wander through the shadows still,

And look and listen with a rapt delight,

Pausing again and yet again at will

To drink the elusive beauty of the night,

Until my soul is filled, as some deep cup,

That with divine enchantment is brimmed up

An Autumn Evening by Lucy Maud Montgomery CBE, (1874-1942), Canadian author known in particular for writing Anne of Green Gables

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Quotations

Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you're a thousand miles from the corn field, Dwight D Eisenhower (1890 - 1969), 34th president of US 1953-1961

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower , Albert Camus (1913-1960), French existentialist author & philosopher

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another , Charles Dickens (1812-1870), English novelist

I am a hero with coward’s legs , Spike Milligan (1918-2002), British born, Irish comedian

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Let’s lick loneliness:

Forthcoming get togethers - September 2010

The purpose of Let’s lick loneliness is to share information with others in the LLL group about what we are doing. Then, if people want to join outings, they can. It is better to tell people about a forthcoming event and they say ‘no’, rather than not tell them and they could have been interested in attending. Forthcoming events for September include:

Friday 10 th September 2010, 18:30, Late at the V&A, South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL – Free

Monday 20 th September 2010, 19:30, Funny Women Final, 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX - £18 per person (audience made up of both genders!)

Do contact us if you would like to come along to any of these events. To ensure that the group is as inclusive as possible, events are invariably free or low cost (unless they are one-off events, such as the Funny Women Final).

All, of any age group and background, are most welcome to attend our outings. Membership of LLL is free.

And, if you are not based in London, why not start an LLL initiative in your area?

CustomerClix , September 2010

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