CHAPTER 10

Controlling Your Space

We cannot make it rain, but we can see to it that the rain falls on prepared soil.

—HENRI NOUWEN

One of the key determinants of your success as a speaker is the room in which you speak. You must inspect it carefully and prepare it as much as possible.

There are three key physical considerations in speaking. They are (1) sound; (2) light; and (3) temperature. These are the three areas where things always go wrong in a speaking engagement. You have heard of Murphy’s Law, which says that whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. This law was probably discovered by people who give talks and seminars in hotels and convention facilities.

Know the Lies People Tell

The first rule to know when holding any kind of public speaking ...

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