Picture your Audience in their Underwear

Years ago the advice given to nervous public speakers was to picture their audience in their underwear.

What stupid advice.

I understand the reason for this misinformed advice. The speaker was anxious and possibly feeling intimidated by the audience. So if the speaker could picture the audience in their underwear that might feel less intimidating.

But think about it – do you really want to see your audience in their underwear?

There are only two possibilities to this question.

Yes – you do - that would be way too distracting.

No – you don’t - that would also be way too distracting.

My advice to you?

Picture your audience as they are – contemporaries who have come to listen to what you have to say to them. Picture them as equals who have come to learn from you.

They are not better nor less than you. They are simply listening to your words of wisdom.

George Torok
The Speech Coach for Executives