Within the “public arena”, the experiences of a speaker and those of an audience are governed by invisible yet powerful dynamics. A dynamic is a force field, which promotes action, change and continually evolves. Dynamic comes from the Greek dynamikos, which means power and relates to ability. I don't see the air I breathe but my body is in constant “relationship” with its properties and their impact on my survival. It acts as a constant dynamic, which promotes life, change and growth. There are speaker dynamics, audience dynamics, relationship dynamics and content dynamics at play throughout any public presentation. They all act as behavior modifiers and are strong sources for our motivation, impact and ultimate success. Who am I? (My qualities as a speaker derived from my qualities as a human being and my sense of purpose and contribution as an expert or professional.) My degree of knowledge, expertise, willingness, energy, experience…) Credibility is 100% the speaker's responsibility. I can't fake what I don't know. I shine through what I do know and enjoy sharing. We need to make decisions and choices around what we present. Learn to rely and lean on these potent aspects. Where am I? (Setting and other considerations such as size, sound quality, external noises...) What is the event of the presentation? (Brown bag, celebration, gala, informal, board meeting, sales meeting, or technical presentation...) Who is the audience? (Colleagues, customers, potential clients...) What are the audience's expectations? What were they told it was about? How do they see me? (As an expert, as someone they love and respect, as a newcomer, as the "boss" they have to put up with? As a teacher?) What a speaker plays into is “how” his/her audience listens, and their degree of willingness be present. Things can shift and evolve but a specific predisposition is always at play as a dynamic to watch for. What is my clear intention today with this particular presentation or speech? In other words, what do I want the audience to FEEL, SAY, DO or THINK during and after presentation? Be 100% specific about that. Are they here to sign their name to a credit card? Report after meeting? Become customers? How? (By what actions?) The higher YOUR expectation or commitment to the process, the stronger your presentation has to be! Logical. What should be the delivery style? More specifically what should be the atmosphere for the intended result of my presentation? (Serious, friendly, in their face, polite, generous, transparent, obvious, from the heart, classy...) All the above questions have to be answered and be part of my DESIGN. They represent "Vital Dynamics" which subconsciously (88% of ourselves if we believe scientists and psychologists,) govern our thoughts, feelings and overall behavior. The more at ease the speaker, the more these questions have been genuinely pondered and decided upon. Confidence is more a matter of "certainty" than a matter of feeling. I can feel confident the morning of the speech and completely into my fears and anxieties five minutes before. What I can control is what I know and how I am PREPARED. These certainties are the backbone of our effectiveness. Conviction comes through accomplishment. I hope you’ll find this helpful. Eric Stone March 22, 2007

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