How to elevate motivational speaking to an art form
“This is a company, a profession, a leadership team, an intimate group where they're sharing with you what they're most proud of and what they're working on, and the things that they're struggling with at this moment. And so these really private moments give you an up close view of that which otherwise would never happen.”
- Dan Thurmon
Dan Thurmon and Josh Sundquist are two of the best respected motivational speakers in the business. Dan is an award-winning hall of fame keynote speaker, Josh is a paralympic skier, and they are both best-selling authors.
These guys are true masters at making audiences think, laugh, and feel.
Here are the four top ideas I took away from a recent conversation with Dan and Josh:
- It's really important to be yourself on stage. If you're at ease with yourself, the audience will be at ease with you.
- If you're going to have a guest speaker, make sure you have good lights and a good sound system. Because if the audience can't see or hear it is all for naught.
- Make sure you have a conversation with your guest speaker ahead of time to work out any production issues and to give them some insight into the brand, the audience and the message.
- When guest speakers make specific references to this specific audience, it makes a big difference. So make sure they have the opportunity to get the inside knowledge they need.
Dan and Josh are extraordinarily talented, and true masters of their art. Their effect on audiences is substantial and revelatory.
If you want to hear our full conversation, head to the episode page or download it anywhere fine podcasts are found.
