Speaker - March 2007

Asia Pacific Speakers Summit

March 1–2 Singapore

National Speakers Association of
Australia National Convention &
Youth Convention
March 30–April 1
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort
Gold Coast, Australia
National Speakers Association of South
Africa 2nd International Convention
April 20–22

Sandton (near Johannesburg), South Africa

NSA Innovation Lab
May 4–6

NSA Headquarters
Tempe, Arizona
International Federation for Professional
Speakers Global Summit
June 2– 6
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2007 NSA Convention
July 9–12
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
San Diego, California
German Speakers Association
International Convention
September 7–8
Munich, Germany
2008

2008 Winter Meeting

Feb. 14–17

San Francisco Airport Marriott San Francisco, California

2008 NSA Convention

Aug. 2– 5

Marriott Marquis New York New York, New York

2009

2009 NSA Convention

July 18–21

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa

Phoenix, Arizona

For more information on any NSA event, call (480) 968-2552 or go to www.nsaspeaker.org.

Details for International Federation for Professional Speaker (IFFPS) events may be accessed through the Web site at www.IFFPS.org.

Soul and Substance

What is the core of your soul and substance? What makes you and your message unique? Why do your clients invite you back time and time again? The answer: It’s a journey, not a destination. Whether you have been speaking for five years or 25, the lesson is to keep growing, to keep asking and then apply what you learn as it fits your purpose.

Soul is the essence of who you are; your heart, spirit, authenticity and style. What does soul look like on the platform? Think of Patricia Fripp, Nido Qubein, Chris Clarke-Epstein and Terry Paulson. Their soulful essence is unique to them, and their messages are always substantive.

When you have the courage to embrace your own humanness in a way that connects deeply with your audience, for the audiences’ sake—and not for ego—your soul and substance become apparent.

Substance is the wisdom you share with your audience, your content expertise. It goes beyond mere knowledge. Successful professional speakers are able to make complex issues understandable in a way that causes audiences or clients to think through their challenges in a different way, and hopefully find new solutions. Jeanne Robertson and Dale Irvin are masterful at helping us reevaluate the substance of life.

When we allow ourselves to speak with soul and substance our real messages are more deeply heard. Explore the soul and substance of the contributors to this month’s magazine. Hear all of their voices, as you refine your own.

Welcome Home!

Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP 2006–07 NSA President

“Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough, but not baked in the same oven.” — Yiddish Proverb

Be authentic. Connect with your audience. Most professional speakers want to do both. But sometimes they seem to be in conflict.

How can you engage more people in your audiences to participate in your seminars and to share their experiences? What do you do when being your natural self makes your audience uncomfortable or seriously offends them? How do you decide which colleagues and coaches to listen to when you are trying to take your business to the next level?

All three of these questions are related to this issue’s theme, “Including All Voices.” You’ll read different perspectives on ways to honor your soul and provide substance at the same time. You’ll also find suggestions for engaging participants and serving all kinds of audiences.

“Sometimes you can’t see yourself clearly until you see yourself through the eyes of others.” —Ellen DeGeneres

In January, we introduced the new magazine. We’ve had some feedback and welcome more. If you want to add your comments—about what you like and what you don’t like—and make suggestions for future issues, please send me an e-mail at tracy@tracybrown.com.