“QUICK TIPS FOR “KEEPING COOL”
A monthly e-zine on crisis management brought to you by Judy Hoffman

Quote of the month: “Do something every day to make someone happy, even if it means leaving them alone.” — Anonymous

MANY SPEAKERS HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM!

Some workshop clients have told me that one of the most useful pieces of advice I gave them didn’t appear in the overheads or handouts. When my host – attempting to be cordial – offers me a bottle of ice water to “wet my whistle, ” I always politely refuse and then ask if they have any room temperature or tap water.

Yes, it’s good to keep a glass of water close at hand. Especially if you are nervous – as you naturally would be before a speech in front of a hostile/concerned/angry audience or in front of a TV camera – you can expect to get a bad case of cotton-mouth as every bit of saliva in your mouth dries up.

But if you shock your throat with ice water, the result will be to constrict your vocal chords. When they tighten up, you lose your ability to speak normally. Squeaking or croaking will not help you sound relaxed and in control.

As long as we are talking about what not to drink before a speech or interview, I should mention that you should also avoid:

* carbonated beverages (Burping is not considered professional.)
* alcohol (There’s such a thing as being TOO relaxed and not able to exercise the best judgment.)
* caffeine (You don’t need to add to your jitters.)

Water is your best bet. If you can’t count on getting regular temperature water at the speaking venue, take to carrying your own. It could make a big difference in how you are perceived as you strive to make the best possible impression for yourself and your organization.

SPECIAL NOTE ON THE SEVENTH EDITION: If you are already tired of hearing all of the campaign rhetoric, you might want to try an experiment on Thursday night during the first presidential candidates debate. Put the TV on mute so you will be forced to judge the “winner” based totally on non-verbal cues. An interesting Cox News Service article quoted Atlanta based body language expert Patti Wood as saying that 75-85% of the effectiveness of speeches depends on delivery as opposed to content. As she puts it, “Words go to the rational part of the brain…The delivery, the emotional content, goes to a more primitive part of the brain.” Keep your eyes on the gestures (do they look natural and sincere or do they betray nervousness?) and the facial expressions (do they make you feel a connection with the candidate or put you off?). Then ask yourself when it is all over who you think did the better job and why. I will bet that on Friday people will be talking as much or more about how the two candidates came across in terms of their body language as compared to what they actually said.

Until next time…KEEP COOL!

Copyright (C) 2004 JCH Enterprises