2 Differences Between Good & Great Public Speakers

I’ve spent a good deal of my life evangelizing all things public speaking, not only as a way to build connection with people on a larger scale, but also as a pathway to finding my voice and confidence. It works. Public speaking skills are ubiquitous-everyone can use them regardless of field of work, age, gender or position.

Good public speakers understand the importance of gestures and linking the text to movement and expression. They know the power of great content delivered in an interesting and empathetic way. The world is full of good public speakers, most whose names you’ll never know.

The difference between good and great is a thin line and a wide chasm. When it comes to public speaking there are only two things separating the good speakers from the great speakers…knowing who you are, and knowing who they are.

Great public speakers are authentically themselves.

They know exactly who they are and why they’re standing in front of you.

They also know exactly who you are and why you’re sitting there listening to them.

Great public speakers have shucked the idea of “good” in favor of great, and their brand of great may not be for everyone. Whatever it is that they speak about, whatever the topic, they do it from the gut and the heart and you become part of their story. They are truthful, relatable, flawed humans and allow you, the audience, to see them.

Good public speakers can take the same content on the road and deliver it well to every group they speak to without editing or editorializing.

Great public speakers look at every audience individually, working to deliver a message that is particular to that specific audience, while being authentically themselves. It’s that thin line that is a chasm.

I recently delivered a breakout session at a women-centric business conference. Overall, my content was applicable to everyone, regardless of gender.

My audience was almost exclusively female, and so I spoke to them. The structure and foundation of my talk was accessible to every gender, and yet, I emphasized the items that were most important to the people in front of me. I opened a dialogue with this particular audience, which led to a lively and energetic session, and moved onto a robust question and answer period.

I was myself, and I spoke to the audience specifically, with joy and empathy, and that’s the highest form of respect I can give audience.

Good public speakers know how to deliver a talk, tell a story, and give you a couple of nuggets to walk away with.

Great public speakers give you all of that, in an experience.

LB Adams is the CEO of Practical Dramatics, LLC and the author of “The Irreverent Guide to Spectacular Communication.”