Page 162 - How To Sell Yourself

Selling Yourself in Meetings 161 People don’t want to waste their time or be bored.
The attendees want the meeting to go well for their own sakes. This automatically spells support for you and you can count on it.
It’s up to you
On the other hand, if you’re preoccupied with yourself rather than the group and the event, you’ll soon feel the positive vibra- tions converting to the sort of negative energy that causes cold sweat and a longing for oblivion.
So forget yourself.
Concentrate on your role.
Remember: All communication is sharing ideas, an intellec-
tual act of love. You can’t give yourself totally to your audience when your concentration is on yourself.
Many of us are reluctant to play a role. We don’t want to be considered actors. If we do, our audience will think we’re pho- nies. At the same time, we fear that our real selves will automati- cally be rejected. Both visions are false.
The underlying reason for every successful public performance is the communicator’s ability, at least partially, to forget about himself and his imagined shortcomings and concentrate on the event, his role in it, and the audience he’s delivering to. It’s the trademark of all successful communication. Remember that and you’ll succeed. Worry about a hair being out of place, and you’ll fulfill your fear of failure.
What does the group expect?
Leadership is the first quality. From chairpersons, discussion leaders, speakers, and instructors, the group wants leadership. During your time as chairperson or speaker, you’re presiding. You’re the one in charge. You have the right to control what hap- pens and the obligation to see that it’s effective. Sins against good leadership include:
• Lack of control.
• Lack of preparation.
• Rambling or boring presentations.
• Indecisiveness.