How Not to Introduce a Speaker _ LinkedIn

11/4/2014 How Not to Introduce a Speaker | LinkedIn

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When I attend a presentation, the first thing that captures my attention isnt the speaker or the

material. Its the person who introduces the speaker.

After giving a few hundred speeches in the past year, Ive been struck by the variety of ways

that different people introduce the same speaker. Some introductions energize me and seem

to leave the audience excited to hear from me. Other introductions inadvertently make it more

difficult to deliver a successful speech.

In my experience, the best introductions avoid three mistakes:

1. Dont read the speakers biography. Much of the time, introducers walk up to the stage

with a written biography, and proceed to read it verbatim. This is a mistake for several

reasons. First, its boring. Bios are usually written to inform, not fascinate. Second, a typical

bio is far too long to hold the audiences attention. The goal is to pique the audiences

curiosity, not cover the speakers entire life history.

Third, even if introducers are armed with a short, punchy bio, they usually trip up when trying

to read the words. This often happens to me when Ive tried to read introductory remarks,

leaving me mystified: why can I give a 45-minute speech from memory without missing a

beat, but stumble through reading a few words that are right in front of me? (One explanation

comes from classic research by psychologist Robert Zajonc: the presence of an audience

enhances performance for well-learned tasks, but hinders performance when were novices.

Were used to reading silently, not out loud in front of large groups, and the arousal interferes

with fluent processing.)

Instead of reading a bio, I like it when introducers highlight a grand total of three or four

interesting tidbits about the speaker. Heres one of the best intros Ive ever received: Adam

Grant is a Wharton professor who has advised leaders ranging from Google to Goldman

Sachs to the U.S. Air Force. Hes the author of Give and Take, and he used to perform as a

magician.

2. Dont give away the speakers content. On numerous occasions, during the

introduction, Ive watched presenters turn white as a sheet. The introducer steals the thunder

of the speech by giving away a punch line, a surprise, or a memorable quote. This has

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48 publicaes 70.539 seguidores SeguirAdam GrantWharton professor and author of GIVE AND TAKE

How Not to Introduce a Speaker

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happened to me several times recently. One of my most requested speeches introduces

three styles of interaction: givers (helpful), takers (selfish), and matchers (fair). I poll the

audience: which group is least successful, and which is most successful?

Then, I reveal an unexpected conclusion from a decade of research across multiple

industries. Givers are more likely to finish last but theyre also more likely to finish first. It

was a bummer when the CEO of a Fortune 500 company introduced me by announcing that I

would be speaking about how good guys finish first.

Goodbye, element of surprise! Goodnight, audience interaction. Hello, pivot!

My rule here is clear: introducers should avoid the content altogether. Its fine to explain the

relevance of the talk to the audience. Just tell us the purpose of the presentation, or the topic

of the speech, without divulging the message or the conclusion. You can also create a

curiosity gap, as described by Chip and Dan Heath in Made to Stick. Pose a question that the

speaker might answer, and the audience will be intrigued to find out more. For my speech, it

works well when introducers simply say, Todays speaker will challenge our assumptions

about what drives success or Adam will ask, Is giving the secret to getting ahead?

3. Dont make the speaker sound superhuman. Im thrilled to share this idea with you,

because the next paragraph is going to be the most profound argument youll read this week.

Many introducers wax poetic in superlatives about the speaker. This is a good idea in

principle: extensive evidence shows that whether the speaker is a teacher or a leader, high

expectations can fuel self-fulfilling prophecies. When the introducer emphasizes whats

impressive about the speaker, audience members are more likely to be smiling at the edge of

their seats. This can enhance the speakers confidence and reduce self-doubt, and then a

virtuous cycle ensues. The audience is more likely to engage with her insights and laugh at

her jokes, further enhancing the speakers confidence and ability to command attention. If

something goes wrong, the audience will be more forgiving.

Yet an over-the-top setup can lead to what social scientists call a self-negating or self-

disconfirming prophecy. In a nutshell, if the audiences expectations are too high, theres a

greater risk of a gap between anticipation and reality. If the introduction is too glowinglike my

tongue-in-cheek opening sentence abovethe speaker will have a hard time living up to it. To

paraphrase one of my mentors, Jane Dutton:

Its better if the introducer under-promises, and the speaker over-delivers, than vice-versa.

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Whenever appropriate, and it almost always is, lead the applause and keep applauding until the

speaker is ready to begin. Few things are more awkward than silence between the end of an

introduction and the beginning of the presentation. Keep clapping.

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Gostei (79) Responder(1) 5 dias atrs

Sherry Gacina, David Feng, Ravi Bhaya, +76

1 resposta

Bob Young

Managing Partner and Co-CEO at Stonecroft Advisors and The Marie Ashton

Young-Erturun Foundation

But my hands start hurting from clapping, I'd rather just do some shout outs.

Gostei 1 dia atrs

Cheryl Frost

Senior Consultant, Account Management at Milliman

Love the short 3-4 point intro. Of course that begs the question, do speakers need intros?


Yuliya Shutyak, Millie Atkins, Liz Ludlam, +16

3 respostas

Bob Young



I like when the person making the intro says that the speaker needs no

introduction, and then gives one anyway. LOL!

Gostei (1) 1 dia atrs

Melana Mar

Maria K Todd MHA PhD

CEO at Mercury Advisory Group; strategic advisor to healthcare businesses,

investors, and government leaders.

Speakers need intros for a few reasons, the first being that sometimes the batting

order changes. In that event, the audience needs a little confirmation about the

topic in case they were hoping for the listed presentation. I was once accused of

giving the "wrong presentation" on a comment sheet because I stepped up when

the scheduled speaker was late without notice.

Gostei (10) 4 dias atrs

Maria K Todd MHA PhD, Tafia L. Allah Pringle, Angela Wolf, +7

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Paul McCloud

Helping Clients Use Technology to Gain Business Advantages

Join Toastmasters International and learn how to introduce a speaker.


Jennifer Karchmer Independent Journalist, JP Skelly, Kim Johnstone, PhD, +23

3 respostas

Bob Young



I can speak off the cuff for 3-5 minutes on anything, and then get a standing ovation

that lasts for another 3-5 minutes.

Gostei 1 dia atrs

Anne Evans

Employee Safety & Health Advocate -l- Offers positive side effect of safety

culture change and injury reduction

Michael, ToastMasters is an excellent group. -When you can speak effectively for

3-5 minutes, off-the-cuff on "Pink" (before there was a star by the same name),

your confidence will soar. It is sad that their meetings are never close by or at a

convenient time for me.

Gostei 4 dias atrs



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Liz Keever

Communication Consultant to Leaders

My suggestion is to provide your own introduction & even choose the person to do it, if you can.


Stacey Clement, Liz Ludlam, Ameurfina Curioso Silo, RN CSSBB FAIHQ CS-IC(CBAHI), +20

4 respostas

Gary Slutkin, MD

Founder and Executive Director, Cure Violence (International)

I agree with this. It has the least risk of being clumsy or making mistakes and best

chance of emphasizing what you want.

Gostei 12 horas atrs

Tafia L. Allah Pringle

Principal Consultant | Communications and Public Relations | Award-

Winning Consulting Services | TLAPR

Spot on and it works great everytime.

Gostei 1 dia atrs

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Dr. Robyn Odegaard

Conflict Resolution ExpertPublic SpeakerCorporate TrainerSharing how to at

www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

My favorite intros are the ones where they tell the audience how they found me (an article I

wrote, my books, heard me speak, LinkedIn, etc) and why they believe I am going to provide

great content. I can take it from there!


Kevin J. Breen, Tafia L. Allah Pringle, Cindy Carroll, +20

1 resposta

Tafia L. Allah Pringle

Principal Consultant | Communications and Public Relations | Award-

Winning Consulting Services | TLAPR

Great advice!

Gostei 1 dia atrs

Steven Johnston

Business Strategist at Fairview

When an introducer over-introduces me I say something like: (looking at introducer) "Thank you

Peter for that wonderful introduction (now looking at audience) some of which was completely

true."


Denise Devine, Shane O'Connor, Kathleen Dougherty, +13

4 respostas

Eric Pickett

Product Quality Manager at ARDEC

Humor is very key. No matter the crowd, humor is the back door key to connecting

to your audience. Connecting is where you will get the interaction from the

audience.


Samuel Medina e Cindy Carroll

Tanya Pollard

HR and Administrative Professional

Humor seems to be one of the best ways to smooth over a sticky situation and /or

make yourself human and relate-able. Not to mention keep the audience's



attention, depending on the topic, of course.


Louis Martinez e Steven Johnston

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Fred Schwab

The Most Important Guy at A Really Important Company Doing Really Important Stuff

I always open with a joke. I employ a professional comedian on my speech writing staff just for

this purpose. Never fails to loosen everyone up for the keynote speaker.


Ephraim Dewar, Adenike Adebola, Wendy Chrisman, +6

3 respostas

Steve Foerster

Writer, Technologist, and Educator

In George's video he explains why he thinks this and offers a superior alternative.

And it's just 83 seconds long, so it's definitely worth watching.

Gostei 1 dia atrs

George Torok

Executive Speech Coach helping business leaders deliver million dollar

presentations

Not practical for business presenters or wise to start with a joke.

Watch this video for more...

http://youtu.be/PWpfOtB3uBU


Steve Foerster

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Rick Bernardo

Development & Communications Artist, Educator, Writer, Consultant

Two responses, one to add to this great set of tips, the other for some of the comments:

1) If you are the speaker, be ready to take the stand (or podium or stage) pretty much as the

introduction concludes (preferably with your name). Regardless, do NOT make that long walk

from the back of the room while everyone waits.

2) Yes, typically speakers benefit from, if not need, an introduction: it helps "set up" one's talk

in a number of ways. One, an introduction links the crowd to a stranger, the speaker. Two,

there are things that support speakers and their talks that they would NOT want to say

themselves (you might not want to start your presentation with glowing things about yourself,

plus such credentialing lands differently for an audience when colleagues or peers offer it).

Finally, introductions help frame the speech, connecting at once speaker and presentation to

event and the audience (this is not something the speaker is always best positioned to do).

In my years of hosting, convening, MC'ing, and even years of stand-up, most often a) I ask

others what they want me to say about them (they generally know what serves them), and b) I

ALWAYS have an introduction prepared for those who would introduce me: professionals

should do this.


Sherry Gacina, Jill Elswick, Jeffrey W. Jeff Jones, A Business Problem Solver, +5

2 respostas

Jeffrey W. Jeff Jones, A Business Problem Solver

A Lean Six Sigma Process Driven, Marketing, Sales, Fulfillment, Service &

Business Operations Problem Solving Machine

We think the same way about this. See my later post about the subject. Thanks

Gostei 2 dias atrs

Sujatha Shankar

Senior Officer - Legal, Secreterial & Compliance. at Thirumalai Chemicals

Ltd

"Great to receive such worthy points from an expert like you Mr. Rick Bernardo.

Thanks for sharing it with us. As you rightly mentioned, it's always better to ask the



speaker, what they want the introducer to say about them. And it always works, to

have an introduction prepared well in advance, so that one does not stumble or

fumble at the middle of the stage during an event. So, to avoid / prevent an awkward

situation, it's better for the introducer and the speaker (of course) not matter how

pro they are, to be prepared about what they are going to talk about. Rest as they

say, will follow naturally. Suja"

7s


Gail Hedberg, Adenike Adebola e Wendy Chrisman

Niklas Myhr

Ph.D. | Global Social Media Professor | Chapman University | Global Marketing |

Speaker |

Thanks Adam, great advice and I agree that short and punchy is better. Sometimes, I think the

introducer feels the pressure to give credit to the speaker and that the speaker would mind if

they are not "fully" introduced. I.e., it is also up to the speaker to reduce or eliminate such

expectations before the event.

Gostei (10) Responder 5 dias atrs

Gail Ambrose, Renuka S, Adenike Adebola, +7

Shawnessy Westcott Negrotto

14+ years as Higher Education professional

Very helpful. It feels awkward to me when a speaker is introduced with a long, rambling,

awkwardly-spoken intro. Keep it simple; keep it interesting. this is something I'll remember!

Thanks!


Louis Martinez, Werner Pfeifer, Ed McMasters, +4

1 resposta




When my speaker intro goes too long and I start to feel red-faced, I usually break

the monotony, by saying "My mother really appreciated that, I'm sure!" with a look

upwards towards the ceiling. It usually gets a chuckle, and is as effective as

pushing CTRL-ALT-DEL on the audience attention span button.


Thiam Hock (TH) e Shawnessy Westcott Negrotto

Lisa Henderson

Director at Hatch Valley

Great tips! I am speaking at Design Chicago this week and I am now going to pay extra

attention to my introduction :)


Louis Martinez, George Torok, Essinam WELBECK, +4

Pamela Miles

Personal and Business Development Professional

This is great advice that fits in perfectly with Tricia Tierney's suggestions for author/speakers!

http://triciatierneyblog.com/?p=3574


Louis Martinez, Erich Wilgenbus, Mick Cooper, +2

Nicolas RAFFIN

Head of Product Marketing, Payment & Transport, OBERTHUR TECHNOLOGIES

"polluwords" we shall also ban : "a little bit" (works pretty much in every language..."un petit

peu"..."un poco"...) : "he's gonna explain a little bit..."

Think big ! ;-)


Anjalina Pradhan, Silvana Wasitova, Scrum & Agile Coach, Anne Camille Talley, +1

1 resposta






You just triggered one of my pet peeves: I can't stand when someone on a

microphone says "gonna" or "omana" (I'm going to) or other sloppy diction. It's as

bad as "nuculer"!

Gostei 4 dias atrs

Matthew Contuzzi

Senior Relationship Manager at Australian Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai

Great piece. Firstly for being short and secondly for having application.

Note to add is actually knowing the speaker before the intro. A personal touch is much

smoother than a dry standard intro.


Ed McMasters, Wendy Chrisman e Bennet Bayer ()

1 resposta

Ed McMasters

Director of Marketing and Communications for Flottman Company

Absolutely - Connect, Communicate and Consider the PERSON not just "the

Speaker" in the introduction!


Diana Incekol

Sharon Williams

Accountant 6

I will keep these tips in mind if I get my new job I interviewed for today! :-) This will be important

for me then. Thank you!


Ronald Redmond, LCSW, Deirdre Morris Abrahamsson e Charlie Cernat

1 resposta

Ronald Redmond, LCSW

Adolescent Residential Services Division Director at The Drenk Center

Good luck!!!!

Gostei 4 dias atrs

Priscilla Morris

Loud & Clear Voice Coaching. Making you memorable through 1-2-1 coaching, open &

bespoke workshops. Dynamic speaker.

You're right. Get the intro right and you make life easier for the speaker.


Ed McMasters, Anne Camille Talley e Brett Tremblay

Ed McMasters

Director of Marketing and Communications for Flottman Company

Work to eliminate the phrase: without further ado it is old, tired and unnecessary. Be creative,

your introduction can impact the entire presentation, if you sound stale it is hard to sell the

speaker.


Scott Lucado e Michael Lopez

1 resposta

Michael Lopez

Systems Network Administrator at World Vest Base

That is very true.


Ed McMasters



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Matt Richards

Chartered Financial Planner at The Citimark Partnership Ltd

I love the line from the film The 39 Steps when Richard Hannay ends up on the stage at a

political rally and has to make an impromptu speech]

"Ladies and gentleman I apologise for my hesitation in rising just now, but to tell you the simple

truth I'd entirely failed while listening to the chairman's flattering description of the next speaker

to realise that he was talking about me. "


Shane O'Connor, Audrey Hobman e John Laity

David Schulz, CIPP

PR & Communications Director at BASIS.ed

Had the rare pleasure of introducing General Colin Powell at Austin College, and his people

drilled (yes, drilled) one rule: the more important the speaker, the shorter the intro. Long

introductions reduce respect, not increase it. My two cents!


Robert Saltkill, Scott Lucado e Gregory Murphy

1 resposta

Scott Lucado

Consultant

Good rule of thumb. Is there anything worse than "Here's someone who needs no

introduction" followed by...several minutes of introductory yakking?

Gostei 4 dias atrs

Susan Namowicz

Business Consultant

Great article! Just in time for me to be introduced tonight to do my speech and then again for

next week, when I will be introducing all the speakers, as the Toastmaster at my club's

Toastmaster's meeting.


Zhijie Yang e Brett Tremblay

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How Not to Introduce a Speaker _ LinkedIn