Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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Well here we are. At least in the midst of this extraordinary time, we can rely on powerful politicians to set an example to the rest of us when it comes to how to behave. Oh hang on a minute...
Even if you didn't watch the debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, you will probably have heard about it. The two contenders for the most powerful job in the USA met in Cleveland Ohio this week. Descriptions of their encounter varied, but none were complimentary. So in this special issue I am focusing on debates - how to conduct them well. and how to persuade an audience to your point of view.
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There are two places left on my annual speaker coaching programme for 2021.
The coaching and mentoring is delivered either face-to-face or via Zoom. The monthly sessions can be split into two sessions a couple of weeks apart if desired. There is work to do in between sessions, and the programme includes reasonable ad-hoc calls for advice and guidance at no extra cost.
The programme provides customised coaching around all aspects of a speaking business, including fees, getting bookings, working with bureaus, creating websites and show-reels, marketing strategies and of course creating killer keynote speeches. And of course there's an emphasis on remote speaking.
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Jackie Handypartners with organisations globally to encourage safe conversations, create robust, inclusive leadership practices and develop recruitment strategies that increase productivity and workforce engagement.
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The MediaMaestro is someone who has had many an on-air debate.
Dame Jenni Murray ended her final episode of Woman's Hour with Helen Reddy's feminist anthem, I Am Woman.
Dame Jenni had worked on the show for 33 years - longer than any other presenter - and her tenure was described by MP Harriet Harman, praised her "tremendous legacy".
Paying tribute in a special radio package, the programme's former editor and producer Sally Feldman said the celebrated interviewer "almost hypnotised people into replying to her". "The experience of being interviewed by Jenni is quite something else, because you get her warm voice and penetrating gaze," she said.
A wonderful legacy indeed.
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The MediaMug is high street sandwich chain Subway, which has been found guilty of selling bread that isn't bread.
The debated rolled around for a while about whether a slice of the cost should be VAT.
The Irish Supreme Court ruled the bread used for sandwiches at Subway cannot be legally defined as bread because it contains too much sugar.
The five-judge court ruled that Subway's bread is not legally defined as bread under the VAT Act because its sugar content is 10% of the weight of the flour used to make the dough -- far more than the 2% specified for the legal definition of bread under the act.
Clear? I wonder what their sandwiches are made of then?
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Speaking Tip - Debating in threes |
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I'm sure that by now you know the speaker's "rule of three", or as it's known in classic rhetoric, a Tricolon. Whenever you are giving a list of items, always try to make it a list of three. It's easy on the ear, and is also easy for both you and the audience to remember. The "speaker's triplet" is also often used to trigger applause (known as a "claptrap") in political debates, since the audience recognises that the list is complete as the third item is spoken.
Why does it work? I don't know, and don't really care (though I'm sure that I will receive some explanations as a result of this article). The thing is, it does work, so you should use it. You can use the same word ("education, education, education"), three different words ("faith, hope and charity"), or three phrases ("Government of the people, by the people, for the people") You can even use three complete sentences ("The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us" - Nelson Mandela)
In debates, if you are unsure about how to deliver a list, just give the first two that you can think of. Other listeners, aware that the list cannot be complete, will wait for several seconds before speaking, giving you time to gather your thoughts.
Finally, consider making the last item longer than the others ("life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"). This gives an implicit emphasis on the importance of the last in the list, and allows you to finish with a flourish (or maybe three flourishes)
Excellent. That's it. Very well done you.
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Media Tip - Tips for TV debates |
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Debates are the mainstay of current affairs programmes. Thursday evening's Question Time on the BBC is one of the most popular "serious" shows on TV. Whether you're on "QT" or in another TV discussion, here are some tips that may help you to come out on top.
- When you are speaking, you are in control. Make sure that you finish your point strongly.
- Keep your points brief, with rehearsed phrases emphasised
- Know in advance of the debate what impression you wish to create
- Never lose your temper. If your opponents do, stay even calmer
- Ask for the right to reply to false accusations
- Allow yourself to be interrupted only on your strongest points
- Short, concise points can be deadly. Use them well
- Stand tall, and look at the audience
- Have a short, strong, well-prepared closing statement
It's all about calmness, confidence and getting a clear message across. That's what wins debates.
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Social Media Tip - I thought you'd never ask |
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People love a good debate, or even a bad one, especially on social media. Some discussions begin simply because someone disagrees with the view expressed in a post. Much more often, the debate starts when someone asks a question.
Here are some questions you can ask to stimulate debate and generate engagement:
1) What do you think? Easiest of all is simply to ask for a view. This works particularly well if your post contains a controversial statement, but it's also likely that someone will have a view on anything. Once the first few responses have been posted, get involved in the debate, first by thanking them, and then by respectfully responding to their point.
2) Can you help? People love to help, especially if it is quick and easy for them to do so. You may need a recommendation of a product or service, or a solution to a problem. Whatever it is, you will find people eager to offer advice. Some of the suggestions will be really valuable.
3) Have you seen this? Introducing something new is always going to generate comments, as people debate the pros and cons. Some companies now float ideas on social media as part of their product development, sometimes even before building a prototype. If no-one likes it, it's probably not going to sell.
Whatever business you are in, social media debates are always valuable feedback.
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Our friends at Bad Lip Reading haven't got to the Presidential debate yet, but they had a fine old time with the State of the Union address. |
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The information in this ezine may be freely re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line - "This information was written by Alan Stevens, and originally appeared in "The MediaCoach", his free weekly ezine, available at www.mediacoach.co.uk." |
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