Speaker - December 2011

Exploring cultures, countries and comfort zones
Channeling Your
Inner Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis is known for his rubbery face, silly body language and odd voices. Why would a well-respected business presenter want to do anything like Jerry Lewis? You have important ideas
and information to impart. To
be anything but serious would cast
doubt on your data, let alone your
mental state.
As a professional presenter for 28
years, I learned the value of channeling
my inner Jerry Lewis several years ago.

At a conference for 750 business people in Singapore, the presenter before me was a standup comic/radio personality. His frenetic energy, exemplified by pacing, exaggerated gestures and facial expressions and vast vocal variety, mesmerized the audience. I watched their attentive faces and rapt attention. They were riveted, wondering what he would do next. They frequently erupted in laughter, not always at something he said, but more at what he did—holding a silly facial expression to solidify a point, or flinging his arms out to illustrate a story.

I thought that following him would be easy as he’d warmed up the audience. I could deliver my thought-provoking, self-revealing, poignant presentation and they would be right with me.

Wrong.

My polished, but less flamboy-
ant body language, facial expression
and modulated voice tone left them
checking their text messages while I
delivered my most important points. A
few closed their eyes until their heads
nodded forward. Some brought out
newspapers. I was humili-
ated that I could not keep
their attention.

my domestic presentations, they loved it, too!

Being playful and using exaggerated movements and vocal inflections shows you are bold and unembarrassed. When your frolicking and tomfoolery keeps your audiences engaged, your silliness generally will be appreciated.

Will everyone warm to your zaniness? Not all. But more will than you’d imagine. They will comment on how engaging and funny you are. If you skillfully integrate your unconventional delivery with on-target presentation design, your audience will remember you and your points more readily.

Rebecca Morgan, CSP, CMC, works internationally with clients creating innovative solutions to their workplace ffectiveness issues. She’s the author of 25 books, two have been translated into nine languages. She is the co-publisher of SpeakerNet News, the award-winning resource for speakers, trainers and authors. And she helps infopreneurs create income-producing products in her “Making Money In Your Jammies” program.