Finding the funny in a speaker’s life
Clarity Before Levity
Professional speakers must communicate well to under- stand their clients’ needs, strengths and challenges. Not being clear in what you say and hear can send even
a seasoned professional speaker’s career
over the edge.
When what is heard differs from what
is meant, even the most serious people
can see the “funny” in it. Consider these
examples of amusing “mis-hearings” and
one professional near-disaster, based on
my own experiences.
WHAT THEY ACTUALLY SAID:
1. “I hate Macs!” (A receptionist was
having trouble with her computer. I love
my Mac!)
2. “I’ve had asthma all my life.” (TV commercial for an asthma inhalant)
3. “I’m Doctor Janet Taylor.” (A real
doctor being interviewed on TV)
4. “Keep the lamps trim and burning.” (A
chorus in a gospel song)
5. “Do you have symptoms of worn
brakes?” (TV commercial for brake repair)
Puzzled at the time, I laugh now when
I think about these mis-hearings. At least,
they got cleared up right away. But sometimes we draw conclusions based on
mis-hearings that are as flimsy as mistaking Dr. Genitalia for Dr. Janet Taylor. As
a speaker, are you leading the charge in
the clarity arena, or are you inadvertently
making your clients crazy with unclear
communications?
Moral of the Story
When you try to interpret their stories
without enough information, reach conclusions based on misperceptions, or
deliver a solution without fully understanding the challenges—it turn south two
bee know laugh-in madder! (Translation:
It turns out to be no laughing matter.)
WHAT I HEARD:
1. “I hate Max!” (In my doctor’s office)
2. “I’m Ed Asner all my life.” (TV
commercial)
3. “I’m Doctor Genitalia.” (TV interview)
4. “Keep the lambs, Jim and Bernie.”
(Gospel song on the radio)
5. “Do you have symptoms of Warren
Briggs?” (Public service announcement
on TV)
Max “Doubleyou” Dixon is an international keynote speaker and communication coach. For 31 years, he taught acting, movement, voice, pantomime,
improvisation, persuasion, and public speaking
at the university level, with the final six years at
the University of Washington. As an actor, he
focused on Shakespearean roles. His enthusiastic
coaching clients come from the ranks of speakers,
attorneys, financial advisors, executives, artists
and athletes. His clients are his heroes. Visit
www.maxdixoncommunication.com.
WHAT I THOUGHT AND FELT:
1. “Oh, my Lord. I’m a patient here
and I’m in trouble! What have I done
wrong?!”
2. “This guy on TV looks like a young Ed
Asner. But so what?”
3. “Insane! No doctor with that name
could be on a serious TV interview!”
4. “Who in blazes are Jim and Bernie
Lamb? Is James a Christian? Bernie a Jew?
Keep Jim and Bernie Lamb and kill all the
others? Huh?” (My thoughts went wild
on this one.)
5. “What? Symptoms of Warren Briggs?
They gave this guy’s name to a disease?
He must feel terrible, or else he’s dead.”
Averting a Near-Disaster
Three years ago, I was going to deliver
the opening keynote at an international
conference for a project management corporation. For seven months, I talked with
the CEO to gain awareness of his needs.
Two months before the date, I told him
my opening story over the phone. His
response? “Well, we sure wouldn’t want
any of that!”
Gulp! My career is over!
During all that time, I had misheard
their needs and asked the wrong questions. I didn’t clarify this client’s needs,
strengths and challenges. Thankfully,
I still had time to research the client’s
story. The resulting keynote was a
big success—but my career had teetered on an abyss.
