Engaging your listeners

Success stories of people around us speak to us and motivate and inspire us. A true leader uses his experience to influence people in a positive way. An entrepreneur succeeds by dint of hard work, energy and the passion of his beliefs. When he does well he becomes a role model for those of us who want to become entrepreneurs too.

His experiences teaches us how we can move forward on our journey. In the same way, we can use our own entrepreneurial story with others so that they can benefit from our mistakes and our successes. Our story can serve as a guide for them in their venture.

Don’t flaunt your success

However when you are talking about your experience do not go overboard. If you flaunt your successes over-much, your audience will not take you seriously. So restrain yourself from boasting.

Turn your lecture into a discussion where others can participate and share their stories. Listen to them, help them with their problems, involve everybody in the session so that they can all connect and learn from one another and from you

Here are a few guidelines on how to engage your listeners when “lecturing” them.

·         Know your audience. Find out as much as you can about your listeners because then you can talk to them in a more focused and helpful manner. You can tailor your talk to their needs.

·         Use a case study or actual real life stories to illustrate things to them. This gets them to interact and hence get engaged with the discussion.

·         Ask for feedback at the end of the session. It is inclusive and makes them open up more.

So next time you speak to others, ensure that you are heard in the right manner.