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The Speaking Industry
Over the last five years the speaking industry has changed dramatically. During the Covid era, for reasons no one fully understands, thousands of people suddenly began to self-identify as professional keynote speakers. The challenge is that it takes far more than a title to deliver a presentation that is powerful, meaningful, and memorable.
The Problem of Poor Content and Lack of Self-Awareness
One of the biggest problems is that many of these newly minted “professional speakers” lack the self-awareness to recognize how mediocre their content and delivery truly are. Some believe that because they think something is important, the entire world should agree. Rather than serving the audience, they project their own opinions, biases, and assumptions from the stage.
This is why the first and most essential characteristic of a great keynote speaker is deep self-awareness. A truly great speaker understands that their job is to uncover novel, actionable insights that will have lasting impact on every person in the room. This requires emotional intelligence, humility, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to service.
My Biggest Mistake
After 30 years of delivering keynote presentations around the world, I have made every mistake a speaker can make. Early in my career, my biggest mistake was believing that the goal of a keynote was to transfer as much of my research into the heads of the audience as possible. But the reality is simple and profound. Audiences rarely remember much of what they heard. They always remember how you made them feel.
A great keynote speaker can take one powerful idea and deliver it with such clarity, passion, entertainment, and emotional resonance that it becomes unforgettable. That is the true art of keynote speaking.
Early in my career, I received a piece of advice that changed my life. I had just shared the stage with an extraordinary speaker whose presentation filled the room with energy, joy, and inspiration. Afterward, I asked him, “What is your secret to giving such an incredible presentation?”
He smiled and said one word. “Love.“
I asked him what he meant. He said, “I walk on stage with a loving heart and a sincere intention to serve every beautiful human being in front of me. They may not remember everything I said, but they will always remember how loved, respected, and valued they felt. That is what they carry home.”
He was absolutely right.
Before every keynote, I read a small handwritten note I keep in my pocket. It contains just one word. Love.
That single word guides the way I share my content, the energy I bring to the room, and the intention I hold for every attendee. It is the true key to becoming not just a good speaker, but a great one.
Great keynote speakers are not defined by their title or their slides. They are defined by their self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the love and intention they bring to serving their audience.
For booking inquiries or to learn more about Nicholas Webb’s customized healthcare keynotes, visit www.nickwebb.com
