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“Two things indicate weaknesses – to be silent when it is proper to speak, and to speak when it is proper to be silent.” - Persian proverb

Rush Hour Problem^©

                Mediocre yarn spinners rush on the story like a flash flood raring on the plain; their outcomes are the same – disaster.

I learned this lesson the hard way. Once I gave a three-part talk. By then, I had already given a string of fairly successful talks. There was a break before the last part and the facilitators were having a hard time in settling back the participants. Hoping that I could subdue the rowdy audiences with anecdote, I started telling the appetizer story of my last talk above the din and chaos. Only a few heard the beginning of the story – and only a few listened to the rest of it.

I witnessed a Dutch priest did an effective and humorous prelude to a talk. He went down the aisle beaming with a smile, mounted the podium, held up a paper bag, took three things from the bag, presented them individually to us and that was it; but all the while we were giggling and were captivated by him. Throughout that time, he had not yet uttered any word.  Having all our attention by then, he proceeded to an equally delightful sermon.

Before saying the first word of the story, create the right atmosphere. Let the audience know you have an important story to tell by demanding 100% of their attention. Unfocused audience is not an audience. Establish eye contact with them; smile to those who are ready while waiting for those who are not focused to settle down; and all the while be silent. Only confident storytellers do this; if you can do it, you can send a very positive message to the audience and a transformation unfolds – you got a captivated audience.

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