In Part 1 (Do Speakers Need a Reputation Czar?) I pointed out that many high-profile speakers end up looking bad because their personal staff and public relation advisers fail to make sure the speaker is ready for "prime time."
Why is it that even competent, often highly-paid, professionals fail the speaker? Here are six reasons I've observed:
- Too close to the speaker, the issues, and doing business as usual. Out of touch with the audience. To the auto execs, flying the corporate jets to DC was normal. To members of Congress and the American taxpayer it was wasteful and arrogant.
- Underestimating the symbolic impact of the speech, and not understanding that symbolism is much more than just the speech text.
- Being unable to get the speaker to commit the time to rehearse, arrive early, and prepare mentally.
- Complacent. Operating with an everything-will-be-fine attitude and therefore not aggressively anticipating potential problems and developing contingency plans.
- Unable to be blunt in telling the boss or client that something isn't working, especially if what isn't working was the boss or client's idea.
- No experience as a director and performer able to recognize all aspects that make a persuasive speech a powerful experience.
In Part 3 I'll give you a list of "quick fixes" that even an inexperienced staffer can use to protect the speaker's reputation.
Ah, but Tom, if people did what I suggest, they'd have less need to retain me do it for them!
Posted by: Lou Hampton | March 12, 2009 at 09:55
Lou,
Good stuff. If we only would xecute your advice, we would be far better off.
Posted by: Tom Edgar | March 12, 2009 at 09:17