Planned Informality

All of us talk almost all the time, yet few of us ever give formal speeches. There are several reasons for this: we do not have the opportunity, our jobs do not call for it, and speaking in front of a room of people is something that most seek out about as they do root canals. No doubt public speaking is a unique challenge. But talking, particularly in the form of conversation, is a different matter. We constantly connect with friends, colleagues, family members, etc. Still, while some of us may not even be comfortable with that kind of communication, generally it is far less stressful because we do it all the time and it is usually a very informal mode of interacting with others.

Thus, on the one of the interaction spectrum is informal conversation. On the other is formal speech making. Generally, people are far more relaxed on the conversation end than they are the speech end. This is because they are more relaxed and do not have to behave in a way that is different from how they are normally. People tend to view public speaking as having to conduct themselves in ways that are different and that run counter to how they really are. While I understand that, it is too bad. My theory is if people believed they could be themselves rather than something they are not, then they would find public speaking far less intimidating than they currently do.

The trick, then, is to combine the informality of conversation with the more formal requirements of public speaking. This is where "planned informality" comes into play. This concept derives from an attitude one sees in many well-trained professionals: they are warm and friendly while being cool and business-like. One often sees this in well-trained office managers or receptionists. For instance, with a smile, friendly exchange and nice manners, these men and women make office visitors feel welcomed. At the same time, they make sure no one gets to see "the boss" until he/she is ready and that the overall office itself is run efficiently and with little or no disruption. Planned informality.