Profanity? Know Your Audience!

I'm trying something a little different this semester in my Oral Communications class at Wayne State University.  Students are being asked to attend public speaking events on or around campus so that they can learn from presenters with various communication styles.   Mort Meisner of Mort Meisner Associates was speaking on campus to students majoring in Public Relations and so I alerted my students about this opportunity.  I was even lucky enough to be able to attend his presentation myself.

Mort is a real pro when it comes to delivering presentations.  He is dynamic, conversational and a natural story teller.  He encouraged questions throughout his talk and handled them with skill and honesty.

His message was direct:  be persistent in forging relationships with people in the industry.  He cautioned the students that they needed to be ready to go to any lengths to meet people and ask for career assistance.  He advised them to "do everything but stalk, or else you are being lazy."

Mort has a direct, flamboyant and colorful manner of presenting.  But he didn't use profanity in his colorful stories.  At least not until he did one thing first.

At the most dramatic part of one of his many stories, Mort stopped and asked the audience of college students a question.  He asked if they were bothered by profanity.  Nobody was.  But then Mort asked the audience that question a second time - wanting to make sure that nobody would be offended by the words he was about to say.

Knowing his audience, Mort probably guessed nobody would object.  Profanity is much more prevalent in society today than when I was an undergraduate.  But kudos to him for checking - not once, but twice - before continuing on with the story.

Was the profanity absolutely necessary to understanding the message?  Probably not.  But it did convey to the audience that he was passionate about helping those who are just starting out in the field.  The use of profanity was deliberate and appropriate.  It never hurts to ask first.

When Kids Are in Your Audience

In another lifetime, I took my young kids on a lot of field trips.  One Saturday night, a huge bunch of moms and kids went down to the WDIV television studio in Detroit.  Meteorologist Andrew Humphrey had offered to give us tour of the studio.

It took some time for all the suburban moms and their kids to make it to the studio.  When we all had finally arrived, Andrew came over to our waiting area to officially welcome us.  I was eager for the tour to start.  The first thing he did, though, was say, "Who has to go to bathroom?"  Many of the kids said they did.  He pointed out the restrooms and told us to do our business and that he would begin once we were ready.

I'll never know if this was his typical opening for groups of kids or if he had to unexpectedly attend to something in his office or what.  But what a brilliant idea:  get the group settled in every conceivable way before beginning to make sure you will have their full attention.

In an average meeting room, that may mean having adequate ventilation, lighting and a comfortable temperature.  It might mean making sure everyone has had time to refill their coffee one more time.  Or it may mean specifying that cell phones are off or that restrooms, private nursing areas or even prayer locations have been designated and made accessible.

Andrew Humphrey was great with the kids.  He kept the tour moving, involved even the youngest kids with tasks, spoke loudly and with a lot of enthusiasm, and genuinely seemed interested in hosting us.  When it was time to watch the live broadcast, parents could choose between watching from the studio or from the green room - perfect for those whose children weren't quite ready to be completely quiet.

A good host anticipates the needs of her guests.  Try to anticipate your audience's needs before you launch into your presentation.