To All Presenters:
I get it.
You perceive your audience to be a marauding army of angry Mongolians.
I just don’t know why.
In the mid 1400s the Ming Dynasty was having trouble with nomadic Mongolian tribes attacking the northern areas of what is now mainland China. To deflect the onslaught Ming emperors built (literally) on an idea conceived over one thousand years earlier by the Qin Dynasty. By adding miles of brick and mortar balustrades to an already established collection of “pounded Earth” embankments and natural defenses (cliffs, rivers, gorges, etc.) they created what we now call the “Great Wall of China”.
The wall was an effective means of preventing attack and providing security for the Chinese heartland.
It was, however an ineffective tool for public speaking.
You must see your audience the same way, as an angry Mongolian hoard, since you too have erected a wall separating yourself from us – the dreaded lectern.
From the Latin root meaning “to read” lecterns were designed to improve a presenter’s eye contact and posture. What seemed like a good idea at the time has evolved into a crutch used by persons who lack the confidence to actively engage their audience. It provides a visual barrier between speaker and spoken to which is unnecessary and contributes directly to the mediocrity inherent in so many presentations today. Furthermore, and let’s be honest here, any part of a presentation which involves the phrase “to read” instead of “to educate,” “to entertain,” or “to perform” is generally a bad thing.
Brothers and sisters, cast off the shackles of this outdated construct and be free to connect with the congregation. Step away from the lectern and engage! For few things are as tiresome as one who stands behind a piece of plywood whilst rambling, hoping their PowerPoint skills will distract the crowd.
Be as the Greek scholars, exposed in the amphitheater engaging their audience in dialogue and discussion, educating and entertaining with every exchange. Don’t place visual barriers between yourself and your audience, better to be open and accessible.
Rest assured, we will all be the better for it.
I get it.
You perceive your audience to be a marauding army of angry Mongolians.
I just don’t know why.
In the mid 1400s the Ming Dynasty was having trouble with nomadic Mongolian tribes attacking the northern areas of what is now mainland China. To deflect the onslaught Ming emperors built (literally) on an idea conceived over one thousand years earlier by the Qin Dynasty. By adding miles of brick and mortar balustrades to an already established collection of “pounded Earth” embankments and natural defenses (cliffs, rivers, gorges, etc.) they created what we now call the “Great Wall of China”.
The wall was an effective means of preventing attack and providing security for the Chinese heartland.
It was, however an ineffective tool for public speaking.
You must see your audience the same way, as an angry Mongolian hoard, since you too have erected a wall separating yourself from us – the dreaded lectern.
From the Latin root meaning “to read” lecterns were designed to improve a presenter’s eye contact and posture. What seemed like a good idea at the time has evolved into a crutch used by persons who lack the confidence to actively engage their audience. It provides a visual barrier between speaker and spoken to which is unnecessary and contributes directly to the mediocrity inherent in so many presentations today. Furthermore, and let’s be honest here, any part of a presentation which involves the phrase “to read” instead of “to educate,” “to entertain,” or “to perform” is generally a bad thing.
Brothers and sisters, cast off the shackles of this outdated construct and be free to connect with the congregation. Step away from the lectern and engage! For few things are as tiresome as one who stands behind a piece of plywood whilst rambling, hoping their PowerPoint skills will distract the crowd.
Be as the Greek scholars, exposed in the amphitheater engaging their audience in dialogue and discussion, educating and entertaining with every exchange. Don’t place visual barriers between yourself and your audience, better to be open and accessible.
Rest assured, we will all be the better for it.
THE POINT: With this improved and more personal connection your audience is more likely to listen to your message, and you will seem like a stronger speaker who knows what they are doing.
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