The Power of Ideas: How to Increase the Impact of Your Speeches
"I don't think companies will be interested in my message. “
I could feel the weight of frustration as the author I was working with shared this in an email. I knew that her last book had been well reviewed, but for many reasons, it did not generate the interest she had hoped for.
When we finally had a chance to talk, I asked her to tell me more about her new ideas and how they could be relevant to a variety of markets. The longer she talked the more excited she got about sharing her research and findings with others. We explored how different aspects of her ideas could align with different industries.
As she spoke, she was both fortifying her ideas, at the same time making them flexible enough for adaptation to suit a variety of audiences.
It will be at least a year or two until her book is published. Will it be relevant? There is no way to guarantee it. But I am certain that if she keeps developing her ideas, there will be a very strong chance she will find the right audience.
Gaslighting… Timing is Everything
December, 2022 Merriam-Webster dictionary chose the word “Gaslighting" as the word of the year.
In 2007, psychotherapist Dr. Robin Stern wrote The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life, motivated in part, by the experiences her clients shared behind closed doors, which reminded her of the insidious behavior portrayed in the 1944 film, Gaslight starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer. Patients were struggling to understand what was happening to them, so Dr. Stern did her research, named the phenomenon and published her book. It was very well received, but it was not until 2017, when she released an updated edition, that the idea gained real currency. Then in 2022, online searches for “gaslighting “ rose by 1,740 percent. It is clear this idea has resonated and taken the country by storm. The power of her ideas clearly made a difference.
Emotional Intelligence... 27 years and Still Going Strong
I remember when I saw the TIME cover story asking, What is your EQ? It was published in conjunction with the release of Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ.
As his speaker agent, I hoped this would jumpstart interest in his work, but there was only radio silence. It was not until 6 months later, when FORTUNE published an essay, Are you Smart Enough to Keep your Job? In an Age of Teamwork and Fluid Careers IQ Alone Doesn’t Cut It, triggered the beginning of a demand for his talks that quickly expanded from companies, to nonprofits and governments, from the United States, to Europe, from Asia to Latin America. It seemed as if every corner of the globe wanted Daniel Goleman to share his insights.
Since its release in 1995, Emotional Intelligence has sold more than 5 million copies and translated into 40 languages. In addition to Dr. Goleman, many others (Dr. Richard Boyatzis, Dr. Annie McKee, Dr. Travis Bradberry and Dr. Marc Brackett to name a few) have published books that have expanded the impact of this groundbreaking idea.
Freedom & Justice… Timely and Timeless
On December 21, 2022 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke before a joint meeting of the Congress. I watched his speech live and cried. Then I watched it again, and my heart filled up and my tears fell again. My father's family was from the Ukraine, and I grew up attending a Ukrainian church, but honestly that is not the source of my response.
President Zelensky represents something bigger than one nation; he represents ideas and ideals. President Zelensky constructed one of the most powerful speeches I have heard in years.. He used current events and historical events; he used both images of horror and words of humor; he spoke in piercing detail and evoked epic themes. Most importantly, we see how interconnected we all are.
He never let us forget what is at stake and how critical victory is for Ukraine and for the free world. If you have not watched this speech, I invite you to do so. The power of ideas can change the world.
If you are a speaker or planning to be one, take the time to build your ideas. Do not spend your energy worrying about who will want to hear what you have to say. Instead take the time to hone your ideas, and offer the most unique and accessible version of them that you can. That is an effort worth investing in.
If this aligns with your goals, let's explore my public speaking coaching program and arrange a time to talk.
If you are an agency and your speakers need someone to help them brainstorm a new way to see what they have to offer and create a dynamic presentation, my 30+ years as a talent development consultant can help to jumpstart the process. Let's talk.
Your ideas matter.