Richard Zeoli - The 7 Principles Of Public Speaking

A Parable of Principles in Action

T he man in the third row started to doze off. He didnt plan on dozing, but the speaker he was listening to was going on for way too long. The auditorium is so warm, he thought to himself, and besides, I was up last night working on that project.

The speaker at the podium was beating this point about Sarbanes-Oxley to death. All John could hear was regulation, compliance, accounting, fees. It was enough to make him scream.

Why do I have to be here? Oh yeah, continuing education credits, I forgot.

John started imagining that the speaker had lost his voice. It was all he could to avoid running out of the room. He glanced at his colleagues. Are they tuned into this guy or are they faking it, too?

Oh man, how much more of this do I have to take?

On and on, and on, and on. There seemed no end in sight.

Forget it; there is no point trying to fight it. The drowsiness was overtaking him now, the lids on his eyes growing heavy with each boring, monotonous syllable the speaker threw out .

Within a few moments, John was asleep.

Dreaming now, of a time way back. Of a time he went on a journey that changed him forever. In many ways, it changed his life for the best, but in some ways, it caused him immeasurable strife, as he now couldnt tolerate speakers like this bozo anymore.

A distant time. Right after college.

Everything seemed bright about his future. After he graduated with honors in finance, the world was his to conquer. No fear. Well, one, but a common one. So common, in fact, that most people say it is more fearsome than death. But John didnt really fear it per se; he just didnt understand it. He didnt care, really. He had taken the mandatory public speaking course and earned his three credits. Hed learned all about how to write a great outline, and hed heard how great it was to have the butterflies but to make sure they all flew in the right direction, whatever that meant.

Hed learned how to write and give a speech as his class assignment. About? What was it again? My summer vacation? No, wrong decade. I dont remember, but it had a great outline.

How was my delivery? Well, lets see, I had five minutes to speak, I know that. The instructor knocked me down a grade because I only spoke for three, thats right. He said that I didnt fulfill the assignment, but I thought brevity was the soul of wit. Oh well.

How did I feel up there that day when I gave that speech? I was scared, right? Me, the fraternity president, whom everybody loved. The natural salesman, yet I was scared. What was I supposed to do again to get over it? Be prepared, right. If I was prepared to speak, then Id be fine.

That worked well in the classroom, but what if I dont have time to prepare? What if I have to stand up at a company meeting and give an overview of my department and I have no time to prepare? What if I see the CEO in an elevator and he asks me to give him my impressions of the company? Where on earth will my outline be then?

It was too much. I got a B in that class. Well really, when would I need public speaking anyway? Its not like Im going to run for office or anything.

John shifted in his seat as the speaker droned on for another five minutes while dull slides shone on an enormous screen. The speech was illustrated almost to the point of being absurd.

I needed it, though, didnt I? That first job interview. I had no idea there would be four people in the room. I figured a job interview would be just one person. But there were four. Four top managers. And I realized as they were staring at me while I spoke that, even though I was sitting down, holy cow, I was giving a speech, wasnt I?

Butterflies, just fly north. Or is it south? I dont remember.

Wheres my outline? I dont have an outline for this. I had no idea this was going to happen. Im not prepared. How could anyone be prepared? Im nervous. Im speaking to this group, and theyre staring at me. I can be great, just be great, John, you can do it.

Im giving a speech, arent I? I mean Im on a couch and they are in chairs, but Im giving a speech about myself and my background! Should I stand up? That would be formal, right? Too formal, but this feels weird. WHERE IS MY OUTLINE?

John sat up in his chair, startled and sweating. A few of his colleagues looked his way and gave him disapproving glares. He looked straight ahead.

The speaker was still going on. A few others had also nodded off. It was really hot in there.

Too hot. He was back in the late nineties. Leaving the office.

He didnt get the job.

How would he have, really, after that performance?

But it wasnt as bad as two summers ago at the company retreat, after he had made vice president of investment management and had to give a speech about his boss.

Why did I try that joke about his shore house?

Dumb, dumb, dumb. I thought he would think it was funny.

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining down over Montauk that afternoon as the lighthouse stood in its protective pose to the east. How happy am I? Vice president at thirty-five. And I have the honor of introducing the senior VP to the rest of the company.Wow! This is terrific!

How did I get here? Doesnt matter, Im here.

I made my outline, I know exactly what I am going to say. I wrote down all my points, and Im prepared. Im terrified, though.Those butterflies are all flying.Why am I still nervous if I have my outline? Im prepared.

Hey John, enjoying the End? Walter Sullivan, the VP of Mergers and Acquisitions. Such great clothes, such poor choice in spouses. He was on his fourth now.

Love it here, Walter. I only hope that one day I can own a place out here.

Keep up the good work and I know one day you will, he says. You are going places.

Thank you,Walter.

Look, John, I know you are introducing Mac today. Do you have a joke in mind? Something funny you are going to say?

Well, Sir, I ...

Its just that we could all use a laugh. Think of something witty.

And with that he was gone. On his way to grab another Bellini at the outdoor bar.

A joke? I can do that. What can I say? Its not on my outline. What should I say? Theres so many ways to make fun of this guy. I mean, hes all alone, his wife left him. All he has is his money. Thats it. Ill say something about that. Okay, good. I can improvise.

Walter Sullivan took the podium and asked everyone to please gather round.

I want to thank all of you for coming today. Weve had an outstanding first and second quarter, and today is your day to enjoy each others company, and my booze. In all seriousness, I want to introduce to you a young man from our investment banking division. John is a bright guy, he just made VP and we expect great things from him. Come on up, John.

The applause was tepid. The jealousy of his peers seethed through the crowd.

John walked up and shook Walters hand. He pulled his outline out of his poplin sports coat and started to read it.

There was no podium.