My wife and I enjoy watching stand-up comedy together.. It’s a way for us to relax, decompress, and just be still together. Also, laughter is a great connector.
During this particular show on Netflix, the comedian performing paused very early on in the show, and pointed way to the top of the stands in the venue. He waved and asked the young boy in the third row “How old are you?” The boy responded that he was 12.
This young man was sitting in the top section way far away from the stage. The comedian had some back-and-forth with the young man, but wanted to make sure that he and the parents knew he was going to have some off color topics.
How did he see him? How did he see that little boy way up there? What an amazing catch of all the details, the audience.
I was impressed by this and it made me think about when I speak publicly, and knowing your audience. Know who’s there! Understand the dynamics of who you are speaking to. This includes where, when, the time of year, etc. All these little details matter.
Sometimes I’ll allow myself to curse during the presentations to add a little color, a little salt & pepper. Sometimes I will tell an off-color joke. Sometimes I will make some jokes about where I am regionally. But, it is important that I’m aware of my audience. When you speak, whether it is to a classroom full of children, an audience full of parents, or a conference presentation, be aware of your audience, and take in all the little details. They do matter.
If I can help you in any way, don’t hesitate to reach out at @andrewmarotta21 (https://twitter.com/andrewmarotta21) on Twitter.
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#LeadershipSparks: Show Up and Compete
Quote: “As a leader…your principal job is to create an operating environment where others can do great things.”
— Richard Teerlink
