January 31, 2014
What public speakers can learn from the NFL
If you're anything like me, you can't stand to see yourself in video. But there's a lesson public speakers can take from the NFL that's worth noting.
This weekend will be the last time we see NFL football until next season. I know some folks who will start going thru withdrawals on Monday morning, and some who have already started (since their team isn't playing in the big game).
But this is what every NFL player works so hard to reach. The big game. The SuperBowl.
For most of us, we get excited because we know there'll be tons of crazy commercials to talk about. Videos we'll watch all week on YouTube.
But the players don't care about those videos.
They're watching something else.
If you're anything like me, you can't stand to see yourself in pictures or video. We're our own worst critic. I get that.
But as a public speaker, there's a lesson we can take from the NFL.
You see, they spend countless hours watching game film. They're watching videos of themselves to see where their weaknesses are.
They're watching videos of their opponents to see where their weaknesses are.
They watch, and they watch, until it shapes every one of their thoughts about their own performance this weekend.
So let me ask you this...
When was the last time you asked for a recording (or even asked someone to record you), so that you could watch (more than once) yourself give a talk, to see what you could do to improve?
I started doing that a couple years ago and it's helped. Not just once. It's a continual source of education to see what I can do to improve my engagement with an audience.
And honestly, that's about as close as I'll ever get to an NFL player.
A story. An insight. A bite-sized way to help.
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About the Author
Chris Lema has spent twenty-five years in tech leadership, product development, and coaching. He builds AI-powered tools that help experts package what they know, build authority, and create programs people pay for. He writes about AI, leadership, and motivation.
