Make the Connections

When you author a book, the reader expects to do the work and have the freedom: make the connections, visualize pictures in their minds, read the last page first…

When you speak, the listener expects you, the speaker, to do the work: draw them the picture, make the connections to their lives – show them the movie. I spent 30 years on the big keynote stage, and I thought I knew everything.

But co-creating and editing speeches and coaching speakers these last 15 years – I’m still discovering profound insights.

My Insights

Here’s what I tell clients now:

We don’t teach.

We don’t preach.

We show them the movie, and we let ‘em in on the jokes.

Showing the movie means we describe a scene with visual and auditory detail.

Connect With the Audience

“The jokes” is how a speaker really connects with the audience. We let them in on what’s funny. We give the audience a reason to delight in sharing a moment together. An audience has the opportunity for an act of civility, community, and delight.

And we are SO ready for that. Funny is my brand. I started long ago, when my brother and I entertained my parents with “2000-Year Old Man” comedy routines by Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. My brother could do a killer Yiddish accent.

The fun continued. “Everything is for my entertainment or my education. If I’m not having fun, I must be learning.” I first heard that when I worked at Disney. Did Walt really say that? Not sure.This was before “edutainment” was a thing. You can have fun while learning.

Fun Became My Brand

And “fun” became my brand. I remember an email from a talented, successful business owner who was halfway through my keynoter program. She wrote, “Thank you for helping me to bring out the best in myself so I can inspire others. I am truly grateful… AND I AM HAVING FUN!” (The capital letters are hers). I thought I had read the word “fun” in other fan mail I’ve received, so I looked it up. And there they were – many other letters telling me I’m fun while being effective.

We boomers have always known “fun” is where it’s at. Seems like now, everyone else is catching up. The famous comic Milton Berle said, “Laughter is an instant vacation.” And the good news is you can definitely afford many vacations a day.

Work With Mimi

Please let me help you find the funny and craft your effective TEDTalk or keynote. Please schedule a 30-minute complimentary clarity call with me. You get value and we discover if we are a match to work together.