Many years ago, on a sunny August afternoon, when I was in my 20s, I was stopped by a traffic cop in rural Massachusetts for going 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. I know! Not my finest moment.
The cop gave me a choice. I could be slapped with a speeding ticket that carried a hefty fine or I could attend a 3-hour workshop on traffic safety. You know I chose the safety workshop, right?
When I showed up at the appointed time for what I expected to be 3 hours in traffic safety hell with 30 other "bad" drivers, the presenter shocked me. He opened with a story, he taught us safe driving skills using vivid examples and the 3 hours flew by.
He transformed us from disgruntled, ashamed "bad" drivers into cheerful and safe drivers. I now follow speed limits to an irritating degree and am an annoying back seat driver (which is a whole other story).
This workshop is a great example of why I always advise clients to "take your audience on a journey." No matter how grumpy your audience shows up, you have a chance to help them end up somewhere better. Here are 4 ways to do that:
Be the tour guide. This will put you in the right mindset. Your focus will be on the audience and the experience you want them to have.
Open with a story. You want that first 30 seconds to grab them. Find a relevant, pithy story to share right off the bat and you'll be off to a great start.
Take your time. If you rush, the audience will feel rushed too. If you take your time, they can relax.
Pack one surprise. What element of delight can you add? It can be as simple as a pop quiz, poll, or a prize for being the first one to volunteer.
To help you remember, enjoy NYC illustrator Melinda Beck's art above and here:
