Unique qualities of great speakers

Great speakers have unique qualities that encompass a lot more than people might assume. They have this uncanny ability to keep the audience hooked on their message and also keep them engaged and entertained. They have a whole basket of techniques. Let us examine a few.

• Understand the needs and mood of the audience

I have never heard a speaker of repute say: "I gave a great talk, but the audience was not receptive." A well-prepared presentation can become a disaster if the speaker is not aware of the specifics of the audience. Every speech should be backed by research about audience demographics, age, gender, education, experience, needs, etc. So if your audience isn't paying attention, it's not their fault; it's yours.

• Painting pictures in the audience’s mind:

The ability to use emotions and vivid images to transport the listeners to another world is a trait that a good speaker has. Let me illustrate this.

It was a hot summer morning. Surprisingly, I could see the moon behind the blue skies. I stepped into the noisy and busy railway station. The bespectacled inspector wearing a black coat and a white shirt stopped me at the gate and, in a gruff voice, said, "Show me your ticket." As I moved forward, I saw an aged porter with the typical red shirt and running with three huge suitcases on his head. I felt sad for him. An old lady was selling crisp, golden-brown samosas. I felt like a Dalmatian dog with saliva dripping from my mouth. "Chai, chai, chai!" shouted a young boy. I could see the chocolate colour of the tea through the transparent glass. I felt hungry and yearned for the samosas and tea. At that moment, I could hear the sound of the train’s whistle, which I had to catch.

 Notice how we can paint pictures with the power of taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight.

• Great storytellers

Who doesn’t like a good story? Whether you are a little child or an older citizen, a good storyteller can captivate, engage, and make you reflect deeply. Let me tell you a short story: A lovely lady was pregnant after 20 years of marriage. She was filled with joy and gratitude. She bought a beautiful pair of blue shoes for the yet to be born angel. Unfortunately, the baby was still born. She knew that the new pair of blue shoes would never be worn. Her heart was broken into pieces. Life is not fair. That is life. Remember, you can never be a profound speaker if you can’t tell a captivating and meaningful story.

• Take preparation very seriously

Mark Twain, the famous author, entertained his audience all around the world with his humour and after-dinner speeches. When a reporter asked him, "Sir, how long does it take for you to prepare?" He replied, "It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." So if a legend like Mark Twain takes his preparation seriously, then we ordinary mortals need to respect our audience and take our preparation extremely seriously.

• They have a Plan B

On several of my speaking assignments, an unwanted friend turns up without an invitation. This friend is famous for his law, the Murphy’s Law – “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” I had to deal with last-minute changes in venue, timing, duration of the talk and even asked to address a wrong audience. But I had learnt my lesson early as a boy scout – Be prepared. As a speaker, be prepared with Plan B, you never know when your unwanted friend Mr Murphy will land up at your presentation.