Speakers – don’t seek perfection, seek Believable!

The following is an extract from an interview with Rory McIlroy on how conversations with Bob Rotella have helped his game. 

“We are talking about not getting too much into results and outcomes, we talk about trying to chase a feeling on the golf course. Like if you’re on the golf course, what way do you want to feel when you’re playing golf. That’s something that is a — it’s not something I obviously just do here, but I do every week that I compete. If I can chase that feeling and make that the important thing, then hopefully the golf will take care of itself”.

Source: Golf News UK – Masters Inteview: Rory McIlroy

I have experienced this feeling on the golf course, but not nearly as often as I would like.

That feeling, in my words, is best described as playing effortlessly without thoughts of technique, swing planes, or score, etc.

That’s the day you will smile on the course and have fun with those around you. While playing your best golf.

It’s never about the score; it’s about playing Golf effortlessly. (Or whatever your sport is.)

Realising that this is what you are capable of, more often with the right thoughts or no thought process, just doing what comes naturally.

Why am I having this conversation with you? About my thoughts on golf? 

Because I believe the same advice applies when speaking in public. 

I often encounter people who want or need to be more confident and speak in front of groups, but are hesitant or nervous about doing so. Why?

Because I believe they have experienced what people describe as “helpful advice”.

This advice usually starts with “Let me provide you with some constructive criticism”.

(Constructive criticism is criticism with the word constructive added to soften the blow – it does not!)

Speak slower, speak quicker, louder; don’t put your hands in your pockets, make eye contact, imagine your audience is naked, etc., etc. You know the drill.

All of the above advice merely increases people’s nervousness and diverts the focus from your purpose and reason for speaking to this group.

Golf Lesson:

Anyone who has experienced a golf lesson from a friend will know the drill: keep your head down, turn from the waist, wait for your shoulders to touch your chin, finish high, all leading to total confusion and exasperation.

My wife went to a very well-known golf professional for a lesson some years ago, which consisted of him telling her to ‘hit down on the ball’ for the whole lesson.

The problem was that she did not know what he meant by ‘hit down on the ball’, and he did not explain or demonstrate; he just assumed she understood.

Good coaches, firstly, listen to understand and then provide simple, clear instructions enabling you to progress.

Bob Rotella

Bob Rotella says you should do this when standing over your golf ball on the course.

Look at the target
Look at the ball
Swing the club

What this series of actions does is clear your mind of all the junk usually going around in your head.

The advice I provide to my clients as part of their preparation is also a three-step process.

• Research your audience

• You know your subject/topic; otherwise, you would not be asked to speak

• Believe in yourself and they will BELIEVE in you

Like Bob Rotella, I aim to keep my clients’ heads clear of all the noise and stress that are usually associated with speaking to a group. 

PS  

Golf is not a game of perfect, and neither will you be perfect when presenting, but you can be BELIEVABLE and that is what audiences WANT! 

By Executive Coach Andrew Keogh of Aristo.ie