In the past surviving as a speaker/trainer/author with a big ego, a diva attitude or eccentric social behavior was not to difficult. Times have changed. New social media make audiences more powerful and influential. That’s what this report is about.
Speakers are social people. Standing on the platform requires a special skill set. A daring attitude. A clever mind. I love to be part of the ‘family of international speakers’. This love is reestablished every time I visit a national speakers convention. The last year in five different countries.
The flip side is that too much applause and praise can sip into our minds like a virus. We all know examples of speakers with an ego the size of a football field. Sure, they can flourish and survive. Sometimes have a successful carrier and on top of that a seven figure income. Great for them. Unfortunately they often confuse the map with the land. I don’t envy them. In Holland with our frugal attitude we have an expression: “Het zijn sterke benen die de weelde kunnen dragen” or in English “You need strong legs to carry the wealth.”
Politeness in Japan.
An example of the dangers of old school thinking/acting versus new style media power is perfectly illustrated on the blog post of author and speaker Alan Weiss called www.contrarianconsulting.com/we-want-it-but-we-have-no-budget. Many interesting comments were left on this blog. Alan, who thrived his business model on being a contrarian, replies to a speaker from Perth, Australia with the remark ‘What, on earth, is your point? You’ve lost me.’ As a true Dutchman I’m quite direct and outspoken myself, so I’m not easily offended by bluntness. I even like it. Still, in the intercultural arena of the web, with no referral to emotions or facial expressions, I’m more careful. I visited China several times the last two years and noticed for example that Chinese audiences can take offense very easily on stories that I consider quite normal. Being more attentive and careful with my international emails was a result.
I suggest to reconsider the way you behaved as a speaker in the past and make a transition jump into the virtual reality of social networks where consieglieres can easily form temporarily tribes and launch attacks on your carefully polished web brand.
Speak well,
Hans (:-)
Twitter @HansRuinemans
WordPress http://hansruinemans.wordpress.com
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Date: 8/19/2009
Subject: RE: Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior!
Nicely done
Group: Community Group for IFFPS – International Federation For Professional Speakers
Subject: New comment (2) on “Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior!”
I agree with your point, Hans. In social media we are reaching out to each other with a more collaborate mindset. Whereas a speaker presents to an audience, online we present to a community. I’ve been working with companies to create online communities based on particular training programs. There is much to learn about our new forms of communications in terms of engagement and spirit. Thanks for bringing up this topic.
Posted by Marcia Reynolds
Group: Community Group for IFFPS – International Federation For Professional Speakers
Subject: New comment (1) on “Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior!”
Hans,
You make the point very well.
Another slightly different example for Facebook and Twitter – those of us who speak in Iran have been inundated understandably with requests to forward quite harrowing clips of demonstrations , hangings etc
On the one hand we need to be supportive of our friends we have made in the audiences around that lovely country, but I soon realised that I have to be very careful with how I worded my support, because not everyone was demonstrating and some contacts made were taking more moderate stances
Our role is not to get involved in politics, but we can easily get drawn into this inadvertently, with careless use of language, however well intentioned, when you are busy and fire off a quick response
Mike
Posted by Mike Ogilvie
LinkedIn Groups
Group: Professional Speakers and Seminar Leaders
Subject: New comment (1) on “Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior!”
I think your making an excellent point Hans in that your encouraging all of us to be empathic with our audience, understand the culture and conduct ourselves accordingly. Assuming your last audience is similiar to your next is often a mistake,and of coures arrogance is not appealing in any culture.
Posted by Dr. Arthur Ciaramicoli
Group: Talk Less, Say More
Subject: New comment (2) on “Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior.”
Eye-opening post. Regardless of what line of business you’re in, you’re communicating internationally today through the Internet. Most of us don’t even give a second thought to whose fingers, values, and emotions are on the receiving end of our keyboard.
Posted by Connie Dieken
Group: Community Group for IFFPS – International Federation For Professional Speakers
Subject: New comment (4) on “Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior!”
A very valuable observation, indeed! Instead of giving your reader the idea he’s making a mistake, he should get the feeling of being empowered.
If I read my own blog-postings with your observation in mind, I’m struggling with the tone-of-voice too.
JJ
Posted by Jan-Jaap In der Maur
LinkedIn Groups
Group: National Speakers Association (NSA)
Subject: New comment (2) on “Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior!”
Regardless of the media, Alan is Alan. When you know that up front, you won’t be disappointed when he doesn’t play by your rules.
Posted by Becky McCrary, CSP
LinkedIn Groups
Group: Community Group for IFFPS – International Federation For Professional Speakers
Subject: New comment (5) on “Speakers beware: New social media ask for new social behavior!”
Interesting wisdom, thanks for sharing. It’s the nuances that matter. I recently spoke to an audience of women from Rwanda & Afghanistan — the topic was women and power. I had to be very careful about the stories and examples I used, given the cultural differences, especially in Afghanistan. What might be funny to a group of American women could be offensive to women with different cultural values. It’s a hard line to walk — to be engaging, entertaining, provide challenging ideas and content, yet not offend someone! I try ti imagine that I am in their seat, listening to me, and ask myself what I would want/need to hear.
Thanks for an interesting discussion!
Posted by Darcie Harris