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Hey folks. Another edition of What Not To Say. So glad you decided to join us. I just
have to tell you that I've been battling a little sickness lately -- I don't think it's
the full-blown flu, but it's been a nasty cold that has really knocked me for a loop.
My voice may sound a little rough and I may look a little tired. I hope you can get by
that.
Also, I'm not completely prepared. I was waiting on some content from a friend who promised
me she'd edit and give me some good ideas, and here we are in the studio and I haven't
received her input just yet. Alex and I threw together this -- oops, there's a typo, sorry.
I hope you like it, even though it's not our best work.
And I'm really not happy about my hair. Humidity and cold today, and I just started a new gel
-- don't like it as much as the other one I was using. Plus, it just looks like my gray
hairs are a little more gray than usual. Maybe I'll work on that for next time. In the meantime,
you'll just have to forgive my appearance.
Now, where was I?
Ruining a talk, that's where. Speakers should NEVER offer excuses. And they should apologize
only when they've done something wrong to the audience, like step on one of their feet
or spit on them. That probably would need a gift card to Starbucks as well. Especially
if you really are sick!
But excuses just set the stage for failure. It appears as though you're trying to say,
"If this goes poorly, here's why!" But the audience -- and you, I hope -- don't want
it to go poorly. By setting their expectations low, you are dialing in to the audience's
greatest fear -- that this is NOT going to be worth their time. They'll probably notice
the fault you call out, and begin to notice a whole lot more as well.
If you had just said... nothing, the chances are great they never would have noticed. If
my hair is bad, well, it's just my hair. If my script is not what I think it is, you'll
probably not notice if I deliver it well. And it's winter, people are sick. If I don't
let it bother me, you probably won't let it bother you, unless I try to shake your hand
after the talk.
Instead of drawing attention to these issues, a speaker should just -- forget them. Well,
you likely can't forget you have a cold or that your material isn't finished, but just
move forward. Act like everything is fine. The audience will almost always follow suit,
and you'll probably begin to believe it's OK, too.
Excuses set the bar very low, and cause an obstacle you probably cannot overcome completely.
They are definitely
What Not To Say.