We are a story driven world. We are each a story wrapped in a skin says Dr. Leonard Sweet. When we begin to share our journeys, our stories intersect. Our conferences need to create more story people. We need to transition from speakers talking at audiences and experts telling their stories. We need to move from storytelling to story sharing each passing our stories and narraphors to each other like we pass food around the table. Framing General Sessions With Important Stories Here is … [Read more...]
Morphing Attendees into Story People Through Narraphors and Frames
We are wired for stories. Every person you meet is a story wrapped in a skin says author, futurist and sociologist Dr. Leonard Sweet. As our lives intersect, so do our stories. We can encourage conference attendees to transition from story listeners to story sharers. Then our attendees become story people participating in a bigger story. The conference with the best narrative and story sharing experiences wins. Story Driven World Our brains are hard wired for stories. When we listen … [Read more...]
Most Keynote Speakers Fail At Providing Audience Learning & Performance Improvement
Most keynotes fail at actually providing learning and retention. Sure, many keynotes are inspirational, motivational and provide an engaging story. And if that’s all we’re looking for from a high-paid professional speaker for a keynote, it works. However, when an organization pays $10,000-$75,000, or even a higher fee, for a 45- to 60-minute message, we expect more. Too many keynotes are filled with exhausted clichés, empty entertainment, and low-importance ideas. ~ Dr. Will … [Read more...]
Crank Up Your Conference Emotional Intensity With Bright Lights
Forget about turning down the lights to set the mood for your opening general session. Why? It’s the perfect way to disengage and dial back your attendees’ emotions. If you want to emotionally connect and increase your audience’s emotional intensity, a University of Toronto study says you need to turn lights up bright! Bright Lights Arouse Intense Emotions Conventional wisdom says that sunny days can brighten our moods. While cloudy, rainy days can bring us down. However, this new … [Read more...]
Three Guaranteed Ways To Kill Your General Session Attendees
Is your general session like bug repellant only repelling attendees and attracting crickets? Is it a sure-fire way to keep attendees in their hotel beds? Here are three fail-safe strategies that are guaranteed to kill your general sessions and create the walking dead! 1. Be A Chest-Thumping Legacy Gorilla Male gorillas beat their chests to show their strength and dominance. They want others to know all about them in an attempt to challenge. Many organizations start their general sessions with … [Read more...]
Why Conference General Sessions Should Be More Like The Olympics
The 2012 London Olympics were an interesting diversion from U.S. politics, the scorching heat and a questionable economy. They captivated our attention as we rooted for our countries, the underdog and individuals that had overcome great odds. Even when an athlete from another part of the world broke some amazing record, we united with our support and awe. Their win was the water cooler discussion in the office and the buzz of Twitter. Being More Olympic-like So why aren't conference … [Read more...]
Why You Should Not Hire A Speaker That Will Alienate Part Of Your Audience
Learning is a fragile thing. It is a biological process that happens in the brain. Provide the wrong stimulus and the brain responds by shutting down the learning process and instead protecting the human body. In order for people to learn something, their basic needs have to be met first. They must feel like the learning environment is safe and that they won't be threatened or embarrassed. If not, they cannot learn. When Learning Can't Occur In the 1990s I worked for Keep America … [Read more...]
Why Risky Conference Speakers Can Lead To Failed Learning
What do well-informed town halls and WWE's "Friday Night SmackDown" have in common? A lot more than you would think. In 2009, both Friday Night SmackDown and healthcare town halls were sold out. Both witnessed a staged, well-rehearsed, public feud that was more about sensationalism than fact. During those healthcare town halls, two opposing sides gathered to share their views. One side clearly had low trust in public, political officials. Their emotions were high as evidenced by some … [Read more...]
