Do you believe that you should always start your speech with “Hello, my name is ABC from company XYZ”?
Do you believe that you are obliged to welcome the authorities in your audience at the very beginning of your speech?
Do you believe that you can only use your corporate design Powerpoint template?
Do you believe that you cannot step out of the lectern when you give a speech?
Do you believe that singing, dancing and acting during your speech would be too much?
Do you believe that you should never raise your voice on stage?
Do you believe that you cannot start a one-to-one dialog with someone from your audience?
Do you believe that a five second pause is too long?
Do you believe that you cannot encourage your audience to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for a colleague of yours in the middle of your speech?
Do you believe that you have to present everything you know about a topic?
Do you believe that you have to use every minute of a given time slot?
Do you believe that you have to say “Thank you” at the end of your speech?
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If you answer all these questions with ‘Yes’, you stick to the rule of standard. If you confirm all these questions, it is time to change your believes.
Do you know the golden rule of public speaking?
There is no rule in public speaking!
You set the rules. You are the master of your fate on stage. You are the captain of your soul on stage. You can break the rules of standard anytime you want. Once you start to set your own rules, you will become more creative, more engaging, more memorable.
And – your audience will love you more.