Public Speaking
What Does Empathy in Public Speaking Really Mean
Is it even a possibility?
English is not my native language.
As I trained my English speaking skills, I ran into an interesting exercise: Be the other person for one day.
Behave like them, speak like them, look at things from their point of view.
And the thought that crossed my mind was, “Wow, what a change-making exercise for creating connection when communicating.”
Where are your team members emotionally speaking? What are the emotions of your audience? What is the common denominator of their emotional state?How can you validate their emotion and make them feel seen and understood?
Practicing this exercise will open the gate of communication and establish trust. It made me feel the weight of empathy in public speaking.
Yes there is a thing called “empathy in public speaking,” even if we don’t think of it too often. :)
What does empathy in public speaking mean?
Maybe empathy in public speaking is a less familiar combination of terms; you might be thinking that it’s a bizarre juxtaposition…
Let’s clarify the terms first.
According to Wikipedia empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position. Types of empathy include cognitive empathy, emotional (or affective) empathy, somatic, and spiritual empathy.
Going behind the precious appearance of this syntagm, I see “empathy in public speaking” in a more friendly and familiar light as a way of connecting to the public by making the presentation personal.
What do you think?
Is empathy a powerful asset in public speaking?
Well, imagine the opposite of empathy when it comes to public speaking. Someone with the voice and knowledge of Data from Star Trek saying, “next week I have that presentation on …I am so anxious to show them what I’ve got! Let’s put all the facts and figures together in detail! I will master this subject like the back of my hand. I know exactly what they need!”
Really? What do they need? The “all about me” self-centered presenter, with the million data, facts and figures, strong technical knowledge and no trace of caring or warmth at all?
Empathy is about caring, seeing and hearing the other person, being considerate with her needs. It creates that deep connection and opens the door for your public to receive the message with their hearts open. It makes a difference in how your ideas land.
How can we be empathetic as public speakers?
There are several ways to show that you understand your public.
Touch the common ground
The most basic one is to ask and find out as much as you can about people in your audience. Know what matters to them, borrow their mindset, their perception on the subject, and know its impact in their everyday lives.
Ask yourself:
What is their most challenging problem? What strategic issues do they need to overcome? How can my knowledge and expertise offer them the solution and ease their pain? Did I have similar obstacles and struggle moments? How did I find my way to surpass them?
Tell your story, relating to theirs, creating common ground - a base of resonance and rapport. Find and evoke experiences that you and they have in common.
Then go one layer deeper into language: use their terms, words, and expressions. Be personal. Choose the personal pronoun “you,” addressing individuals, not the mass.
Use voice and proximity tactfully
Think of how your voice and presence add intensity.
You can modulate the voice and create closeness, advancing in the middle of your audience. You can initiate and sustain eye contact. And your gestures can punctuate the ideas touching the common ground. It will make the experience of “validation and being seen and understood” more profound.
Adapt to the real-time needs
How would it be to step into your well-prepared presentation with the intention to ‘have the sense of the room’, ready to feel what people need and aline, adapt. Imagine yourself able to depart from the pre-made plan of your presentation, going deeper in-depth to explain a concept or method. Or activating your listeners with a fun exercise to refill their energy tanks and make what comes next easier to accept and absorb.
What do you think you will get by putting empathy in your presentation?
Empathy will create interest and engagement. People will be attracted and connected to both you and your message.
You will receive enthusiastic reactions and positive feedback because you connect with what matters to them.
It will create a more joyful and stress-free experience for you because you will move the focus from yourself and self-analytical criticism, onto meeting your audience’s needs and connecting to their emotions and experiences.
And that is liberating and fulfilling.
Giving you shall receive.
Nicolae Steinhardt
If you haven’t read the first part of this trilogy about connecting to your audience using emotion you can find it here:
Want to make your presentations magnetically attractive? Discover how to captivate and engage your public from my free guide: Speak so that people listen.
