So many times I observe speakers who tell a great story – only I miss the purpose in their speech. Especially recently I observed this: as top executive I am regularly the district representative on conferences of the European Toastmasters. Those conferences host the contests for the winners who compete at the European championship.
How do you recognize a purpose?
A continuous thread
The goal of a speech is a thread at which the speech develops. I see so many exceptional speakers telling their story extraordinary, using a fine language humor and supportive body language. The only thing missing – is the message.
There are speakers who tell a touching story about relationships and get their audience to feel with them. Or the speaker who stopped smoking successfully and needed to learn how to communicate with no cigarette – extraordinary role play and very charming. Or another speaker who draws parallels with Hape Kerkeling´s novel of his Jakob´s path and her car which runs on Erdgas.
All these speeches had in common that they smply told a story or two.
What is missing in a speech with no purpose?
In a speech with a story you hear a bunch of stories (or only one) as part of the speech- which is in fact entertaining. In a speech with a purpose the speaker transfers his or her experiences and presents them in a broader view: What did he or she learn? What can he give his audience as learning experience? Which information or which appell the audience take home with them? What can they learn?
Stories are the salt in the soup?
In Germany we have a saying: It´s like salt in the soup (have you tried to eat a soup with no salt in it?). I say that stories are salt and spice in a meal. Imagine to get a plate with only salt and spices and a tiny speck of meat on it. It is not balanced any more – just as a meal with no salt or spice. So please understand my issue: Stories are necessary – but only a story?
Why, those stories can be basis of extraordinary messages or purposes and can easily be seen in a greates environment.
Responsibility of the speaker
Another topic is: we have a responsibility as speakers towards or audience. With great speeches we steer the listener´s emotions. The speaker about his relationship did this exceptionally well – sadly enough it was a very empathic mood. He missed to lead his audience back into a good emotion. Of course it does not have to be enthusiasm every time – for example at a funeral this were not very appropriate. But to leave the audience in this sad mood? No, we can do better!
The responsibility of a speaker is to lead then into perhaps a hopefulness – or even better into an emotion to take action, to be willing to change something.
Purpose of a speech
If you want to tell a story think about some topics for your message:
- How does the audience benefit from your story?
- What can they learn from your story?
- What did you learn from your story?
Then the story is part of something which is bigger and serves a purpose!
Inspire Your Audience!
