When you’re in the audience watching someone give a speech, you may not realize this but YOU have an important job: to be a supportive listener. That’s right – the speaker isn’t the only one who needs to step up their game!

For many people, it is really hard to give a speech and it’s made even harder when the speaker looks into the crowd and sees audience members texting, yawning, or just looking away. That can be a confidence destroyer and it might be enough to change the complexion of someone’s entire performance. Think about the last time you spoke in front of a crowd. Were there one or two people who maybe weren’t fully present? Even if most of the room was giving you their love, what about that one person who was clearly not focused? Did that throw you off? Or, at the very least, did it take you out of the moment?

Sure, when someone is speaking it is on them to give a compelling performance. If they fall short, it’s certainly harder to stay engaged as a viewer. But, at least give them the benefit of the doubt in the beginning of their speech. For all you know, a positive look or gesture from you – perhaps even a smile – might be all they need to push through their stage fright and deliver a masterful speech.

It’s the right thing to do, and in terms of karma, you’re certainly going to want the audience in your corner when you speak. So, get excited when someone takes the stage and let them know through your nonverbals that you’ve got their back.

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a powerful public speaker, so the audience will listen to every word you say, just reach out to me here.

Have a great day!

Dave