Summary: If you're asked to speak at an event ask how long they want you to talk. Then make sure you stick to that time. TRANSCRIPT: I recently emceed a big three-day conference with a feast of speakers from celebrities, to motivational speakers, human interest story tellers and medical specialists. Some were old campaigners on the speaking circuit, others had limited public speaking experience but with an interesting story to tell. In any event be it large or small everything needs too run to time There’s always been an old adage when engaging a politician to speak. Tell him/her they have 10 minutes. All the while budgeting for a 20 minute address. Politicians, given a captive audience will always go over time. It’s become increasingly apparent that many speakers have inherited pollies disease and don’t know when to shut up. Organisers spend countless hours organising every aspect of an event, timing segments down to the minute so they can get all the elements into an attractive package that doesn’t test the audiences’ will or stamina. It’s called planning for success. Then along comes a speaker who thinks what they have to say is far more important than anything else that is happening and runs off at the mouth on their chosen subject. Now, I‘m not coming down on a speaker who is so enthusiastic they’ve just lost sense of time – that I can forgive. I’m talking about the speaker who has been told before they start that they’ll be given a countdown – 10 minutes, five, two…times up, but blatantly disregards it. I remember this happening at one event I emceed where the guilty speaker ran over by almost 15 minutes. They were to be followed by the star attraction. A speaker with an international reputation who commands huge fees for his outstanding work. He was Waiting back stage and as the emcee I had to make him aware of the over run and the problems it was creating. However, like a true professional he said, “Don’t worry. I can trim back my talk and help you make up the time.” He could have been indignant and upset about having to wait to perform and then lose time, but no. The consummate pro, he was a team player. So a word of advice to all speakers, be a team player, run to time, tailor your talk to fit the time available, be flexible, don’t fall in love with the sound of your own voice. And remember the old axiom. No one ever complained because a speech was too short. And another one, always leave your audience wanting more. Public speaking can be a wonderful thing and those who have conquered their fears live for that rush of adrenaline as your name is called out and the audience applauds. Drink in the moment and go for it! But whatever you do, run to time.
