“Rock-a-bye-baby on the treetop-“…can you hear the rest of the words in your head? Some lullabies send babies deep into dreamland because they are gentle, melodically simple, and often repeat melodic patterns.
Have you ever noticed a public speaker or teacher that had an almost supernatural ability to put you to sleep within minutes of starting a presentation? I know a few speakers that quite possibly hold the universal cure for insomnia. Not that I’m claiming I’m the most dynamic speaker, but they have a gift.
So why is it some presenters, even those that are well-organized and composed on stage, instantly make us want to take a nap? Well, much like a lullaby, simple and repetitive speaking patterns and gentle, monotone deliveries are incredibly effective at “lulling” you into a state of near unconsciousness.
Effective Public Speaking is More Than Just Being Comfortable On Stage
If you suffer from speaking anxiety, you might be jealous of people that are so comfortable on stage that they are actually boring to listen to. But the truth is that boring people are worse than speakers that have a touch of anxiety. Good public speaking is hard, and a touch of anxiety at least helps you stay sharp and in the moment with the audience.
But people who seem overly comfortable and monotone often have more issues to fix. They generally lack enthusiasm, vocal variety, and any awareness of their personal speaking patterns. These traits can include deeper issues that are difficult to overcome. Pattern problems, for instance, are often a reflection of how a person speaks in everyday life. Some may they think they’ve never been much of a storyteller, and the reality may be that they’ve always spoke in a repetitive manner that is hard to focus on.
I personally have my own pattern problems. It often reveals itself when I’m on important details. So I have to adjust. I have to use short sentences. I have to interrupt the flow of bore somehow. Unfortunately, many seemingly competent speakers are completely unaware of this issue. Why is it important to make sure you don’t have this problem?
Breaking Ineffective Speech Patterns On Stage
Many speakers will receive compliments simply for sharing information comfortably. Often, audience members are only impressed because they fear public speaking. They consider it an accomplishment just to get on and off of a stage without passing out. Those kinds of compliments can be the worst thing for some speakers. Why? The speaker will naturally feel like they’re doing a good job. But did anyone learn anything? Was the presentation memorable? Of course, diligent note takers will always record main points. But it’s a shame to see speakers with a ton of potential settle for boring and repetitive presentations.
Here are two simple solutions to break boring speech patterns: 1st, be excited about your subject and, 2nd, intentionally interrupt your regular speaking patterns. Plan to deliver short punchy statements for important points. Practice dramatic pauses after making your points.
Of course, there’s a lot involved to sound more like Led Zeppelin than Dr. Seuss. But boring speakers can make huge changes by implementing these two quick suggestions.
How You Know You’re Boring Your Audience
If you’re generally comfortable on stage, then gauging your audience’s interest is fairly straightforward. You might just feel the energy waning. Maybe you feel like you always have low-energy audiences. People may be having hushed conversations among themselves. I look for limited eye contact, of faces lit up by cell phones. You might also notice numerous people stepping out to use the restroom.
Even worse, you may see people literally nodding off. That’s definitely the worst, but there are circumstances to consider. The length of your presentation and the time you present are important factors. I try to avoid any presentations right after lunch. In fact, I don’t want to be anywhere near a stage from 1pm-3pm. Everyone is going to be sleepy.
Anyhow, if you notice any of those tell-tale signs, you’re probably being a little boring.
Be the Hero of the Story- Stop Singing Lullabies
In my experience, only about 1 in every 20 “professional” speakers can really be considered dynamic. And I’m not necessarily counting myself in that. I’ve certainly brought down the house a few times, but I’ve had my fair share of speeches that I couldn’t finish fast enough.
Expecting a standing ovation every time isn’t realistic, but putting people to sleep every time is a real possibility that can be easily avoided. Examine your own speech patterns and try these tips.
