Main       1              2              3              4              5         

Grand Master’s Opening^©

                 Storytelling starts not on the first word. The first five seconds of the story (one of the longest five seconds known to men) is told non-verbally. 

The story starts with the language of the eyes, story of the shoulders, etc.  The way we smile and stand communicate clearly how we feel; and if the audience sense that we are afraid or unsure of what we are about to tell, they lost interest. Remember what Emerson said:

“What you are thunders, I cannot hear what you speak.”

The message we are saying with our stance mutes whatever we are saying verbally.

There’s no place for doubt on stage. The audience could identify even a flicker of doubt on a performer because the stage magnifies doubt that dampens the audience’s mood. Thus, you must be absolutely sure of what you have to do.

To give a good impression, assume the “eagle’s stance.” Push your shoulder backward and lift your chin a little. Try this, and you will exude confidence. Our actions affect our feeling; acting confident gives us an ounce of confidence.

If you are a parent telling a story to your children, make this stance signal that you are about to do something special. I’m sure they will be in rapt attention. If you are a speaker, who use anecdote to illustrate a point, following this suggestion will improve your chance for a good delivery.

I saw a video of Saint Jose Maria Escriva giving an audience. Though it was in Spanish I can’t help but be drawn to the man because of his composure. He only stood in front of the crowd barely moving yet he captured his audience’s attention as well as ours who viewed him years after his death.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~