How to Handle Tears During a Public Speech
The other night, at my book release party, someone asked about how to deal with being emotional during a public speaking event. “What is the place of natural tears when you’re public speaking,” she asked. She shocked me into silence. This strong, brave woman, who is a cancer survivor stunned me with that. To think that she would even worry about that after what she has endured just bowled me over.
Seriously?” I asked. “That’s your question?”
My answer was simple. “Wherever they come.”
If you are emotional in front of people if you are willing to be vulnerable with your path your process, then so be it. See, there is not a person alive who hasn’t wept. So, if you are moved to tears by what you are communicating and how you are connecting to people, they will understand that. And that will be magic. I believe you will be so intimately connected at that point that it won’t matter. In fact, they’ll celebrate you for it. So I think if you are crying when you’re up on stage that is real.
Authentic Emotion Wells Up From What You Care About
And I have cried. For example, there are songs I can’t sing. There’s one called “The Last of the Great Whales” or “The Last Leviathan.”
The song talks about the last of the great whales. And it’s told from the point of view the whale who is who is the last of them. He’s trying not to surface to breathe because he knows the hunters are right there waiting for him. And I can’t sing that song because I can’t get through it. I start crying. Simple as that. I know that myself and that’s one song I will never sing. If I try, I’ll be blubbering and that’s not singing. That’s no longer communication It’s me being a blubbering mess.
Self Awareness Is Key
Ultimately, a part of it is you have to know yourself and what is most important about what you’re trying to say. And if tears come, I think that is you being authentic and more power to you. So, bring those tears on and let them flow. We’ve all done it. We’ve all been there. If you shed authentic tears while you are presenting a program, you will connect with your audience more poignantly than you have ever dreamed. Remember to know yourself and know what you’re talking about and know your own limitations, but always always always be authentic.
What is your “sure to bring on the tears” song? Or is it a movie? A book? Comment below and let me know.