Breaking Rule #1: “Be redundant”
I am proud to tell you that in my family I am know affectionately(?) as a “scofflaw.” I’m happy to break any rule that seems silly in the name of fun. My card-shark persona, “Krazy Kate” flouts the logistical and mathematical rules of any card game to such a degree that people wonder whether there is some insane brilliance behind the manic betting. There is not. I simply love to play with abandon.
There are rules of public speaking I would like all of us to break with wild abandon. The first one is so ingrained in the lexicon of public speaking that it has become an automatic, habitual, and annoying tick. The over-used rule is: “Be redundant.” Please don’t. Unless you are Lady Redundant Woman, of course!
We are told to:
Tell them what you’re going to tell them.
Tell them.
Tell them what you told them.
Our audiences deserves better.
First, it is not needed. It is lazy filler.
Second, it undermines the audience’s right to make their own inferences, derive their own meaning, make their own connections, interpret for themselves!
And third, it has the immediate soporific effect of conveying to our audience that they can tune out and be passive rather than actively engaging with the content.
Next time we are rehearsing a talk or presentation, take note of all the times we fall into this habit of adding redundant filler where it is not needed.
Then, rehearse again without “telling them what you’re going to tell them, blah, blah, etc.” See how it feels. It’s hard to break habits, but trust me, the talk will be cleaner, bolder, stronger, and more compelling.
Instead of, “Today I’m going to tell you about our new product line,” start with, “Our newest line of athletic wear…”
Instead of, “First, I’m going to tell you about my new book, then I’m going to introduce you to some of the people I interviewed, then…” start with: “Prevention of environmental cancers is possible. But prevention doesn’t make money.”
Instead of, “I’m going to tell you a story about my grandmother,” start with: “My grandmother died during her fiftieth solo flight across the Atlantic.”
Instead of, “The three main take-aways from today’s talk are…” end with: “Now, go on out and change the world!”