MLK’s famous speech and its surprising patterns – SCN Encourager 12/11/13
How often does a video make you want to buy a book?
If you’re like me – and you’re willing to admit it – the answer is NEVER.
98% of the time I only buy a book because I enjoy the author, the genre, or I have a coupon that will expire tomorrow.
The other 2% of my purchases can be tracked back to my superintendent; in the form of one of his “please read this and let’s discuss it” assignments.
These polite requests also cause me to get out my wallet speedy-kwik.
The third book on my Christmas list doesn’t quite fit with the criteria I’ve just told you about.
This one is different… and I’ll try not to be too “round-about” in describing it, in case there are some tasty holiday edibles down the hall that you’ve been eyeing.
I discovered speech and presentations expert Nancy Duarte in one of John Lee Dumas’ podcasts.
Today she coaches top tier professional speakers, CEOs, and other organizational leaders at about $25,000 to $50,000 a crack.
This isn’t too shabby considering that she got a D+ in high school speech and that her college advisor told her that she didn’t have the aptitude to major in speech and communications.
And I’ll also clarify this for you from the get-go… No, I’m not related to the two dummies that offered up those keen insights. (Fooled ya.)
Following Nancy’s interview on Dumas’ show, I looked up her five minute Vimeo presentation, in which she breaks down the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
You know how former NFL coach Jon Gruden diagrams a play during Monday Night Football?
Well, this is a little like that… only better.
And I say this as a big fan of football! (Or at least I was until last Sunday’s Lions game…)
Here is the Vimeo link to Nancy’s overview.
She begins with an electronic analysis of the well-known speech that looks like a recent printout from my doctor. (or maybe it came from my accountant…)
Anyway, in five minutes, she explains several of the patterns and connections so much a part of MLK’s leadership gift.
Thankfully, Nancy shares her astute understanding without crossing over into the scientific mumbo-jumbo that her electronic chart first had me worried about.
How to effectively make your message memorable in group and online presentations is an essential 21st century skill contained in the curriculum of many school districts today.
This wasn’t the case in my high school and college days.
That’s why I have Nancy Duarte’s book “Resonate” on my Christmas list.
Here is the Amazon link to it.
If you click on the link, be sure to scroll down a bit.
Don’t miss Amazon’s compelling review.
It lists Nancy’s pointers for creating a “S.T.A.R.” presentation and also features four brief case studies. (Honest to goodness, real-world, real-good-to-know stuff!)
With all of Nancy’s lofty accomplishments, I can’t believe that she ever got a D+ in high school speech.
No wonder she jokes about her teacher’s misguided appraisal.
I got a D+ in high school French and can’t joke about it at all.
My teacher called it right.
Tom Page. SCN
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