I think some of my favorite talks are those in which what I've prepared has no relevance to the people waiting to hear me speak.
Case in point, I was invited to a college campus, to speak to students about TV journalism. No worries, right I've heard a plethora of questions from aspiring anchors and reporters, and am rarely surprised.
I'm also not surprised by getting a student escort around a college campus. What was a little unnerving was that in this case I had two escorts, one carrying a sash for me to wear. Since it didn't read 'VISITOR', I think it was a safe guess that I had missed something.
"Where's the J-school?" I asked trying to get a hint as to what I was really in for. The young women pointed in the opposite direction. At the same time, I was also seeing a stream of women heading in our same general direction. So I asked: "Is everyone invited?" They smiled and nodded and I was happy that I had chosen the suit I wore and didn't dress down. I also knew that I, by now had less than 10 minutes to make chicken salad.
Unless this school’s Journalism school boasted hundreds, and I‘m sure it didn’t, I could toss my plan to sit back and be interviewed, and then talk candidly about the field.
It was then, I was most grateful for my training, ability to adapt, and mostly my ability to adlib.
Finally, I was directed through the door of a very ornate chapel and my treatment was getting even more formal. I was smiling because I was about to do a wedding march to a podium and I was more than certain the groom wasn’t there waiting! The program was clear and I was the main attraction. Walking up center aisle, I took note of my audience. They were smiling at me, and I was smiling back. I’m sure our reasons were different.
Here’s what I saw, women of all ages, mostly students at this all-women’s school. They were dressed well and there was pride in the occasion. No pressure. I reached my seat finally and was looking forward to reading the program to find out what I had really agreed to do. It was a Spring Convocation, the last before graduation and my task was to inspire. How did I miss this? It didn’t matter now.
My introduction was wonderfully done by a student, who probably never really had time to watch local TV. I looked down again to make sure I could thank her by name…took a deep breath and then said:
“Wow! Life is rarely about your original plan, which is why if you don’t hear anything else I say, hear this...Always, always have a back -up plan!”
I don’t remember much else about the speech, but I do regret after feedback that there was no recording. I know I had used the only three words I had time to jot down in that first sentence, but I laid that program on the podium like it was an entire speech and gave it all I had.
The feedback made me feel great, because somewhere in that talk I confessed that I misread my invitation. It is funny how people relate to human imperfections if you are relatable.
While I don’t recommend entering all speeches, workshops, etc unaware(and fortunately, this was a lone occurrence,,) it is empowering when you have created a large enough arsenal that no matter what the situation, you can rise to the occasion. I’ve found a couple of truths:
· A core personal message is invaluable: “Failure is not an option” works for me.
· Stay aware of your surroundings. Even a quick study of your audience gives you opportunities/ ideas for making a human connection.
· Do not lean on other people’s quotes. Knowing your own beliefs and your purpose is your best save should you need to switch gears.
· In your down time, think of things to which you can liken your style. What saved me is thinking about all those University of Michigan Football Games. I really needed an onside kick, so I could get the ball back on my side. It was clear that my game plan wasn’t going to work, so I dropped back to punt. There was a touchdown in the end, because I had a back-up plan to put me back on the same team as my audience. Dropping back to punt allowed me the time I needed to pull new inspiration from the people in front of me, and we all won.
