Hi Kids
Maybe sometimes we take life too seriously. I had the fortune of being able to see Disney’s the Lion King production in Melbourne. If the opportunity arises, please take the time to enjoy the show. There is something magical about the chorus and cadence of voices, without anything, but voices. Your world transforms in front of you and you’re engulfed in the magical world of The Lion King and live theatre.
When I began researching public speaking for a work presentation, there was one name that often came up, Bill Clinton. He has an uncanny ability to connect with his audience and make them feel he has not only addressed the whole room, but you as an individual. His skill? Looking at someone as he makes a point, and holding their gaze. Video after video shows how he not only held his gaze, but looked and gestured in a supportive way, to help his singled out audience member that everything was going to be ok.
As I watched each of the main character’s take the stage, you could see the same personal enagement. Holding their stare, fixed on someone like they were talking to them like an old friend. The Lion King is a highly emotional story and inviting the audience through just the use of eye contact helped build the genuine raw emotion of the story. Next time you’re in a group of people, try the same exercise. Some of us struggle to look anyone in the eye? This can appear that we’re hiding something. Some of us dart between different people in our audience to promote inclusion when in fact this shows nervousness. Gazing and assuring will not only help you build rapport, but build stronger connections with everyone you stumble upon.
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“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.”
Woody Allen
I love the character Rafiki. I smiled and laughed so many times as Whitney Houston’s former backing singer Buyi Zama showed everyone that life is full of dancing, fun and laughter. Around the Regent Theatre you couldn’t help but notice how infectious a simple laugh is. Better than this, it brings together a group of strangers who shared a moment, a moment of laughter.
But when we think of a head of state, what image do you think of? A suit, a lectern, a well rehearsed speech – right? When I’m having a tough day, I love to watch the 1995 press conference with Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin. Mr. Clinton laughs so uncontrollably, it’s infectious even for himself! We’re all just people, we just have different destiny’s in life. If we forget to laugh along the way, we are likely destined for one of two things 1) an early death or 2) a very boring life.
Hiah Learning 