The Responsibility of a Speaker
A lot of times when I talk about being a speaker, people assume it means you have to be up on a stage with a big audience or speaking for a living.
The truth is ANYONE who delivers information at any level becomes a speaker–whether you are speaking to one person or to many.
You see, as a modern-day speaker, you have the ability to transform lives and to reach so many people–whether it’s on stage, in a classroom, through social media or across the internet. However, you must always remember there are many responsibilities that come with being a speaker, teacher, life coach, or change agent.
If you want to deliver content for education, inspiration, motivation or transformation, you’ll want to grab a pen and paper to jot down some notes as I share some of the key responsibilities you have as a speaker.
You should always open your mouth to inspire, not impress.
Every time you speak, it should be to inspire, not impress. Even as an educational speaker, you want to make sure that you’re inspiring the person that’s listening to you. And that requires you to look at how you deliver the content. There’s a way to deliver content that really increases the possibility of inspiring your audience as a speaker. Your responsibility is to deliver content on a platform that allows for the highest level of engagement–which means you want to always engage in a dialogue vs. a monologue. Even when you’re the only one speaking. Even in a video. Even if your audience can’t actually talk back to you. Believe it or not, you can do it. It’s called a dynamic silent exchange.
Your responsibility as a speaker is to honor the dignity of everyone listening to you.
Whether you’re speaking to young children, teens, adults or to professionals, the key is to find a way where the audience feels as if you’ve honored their dignity.
Your responsibility as a speaker is to create a space where your audience can see just a bit of you as a human being— not just as the motivator, not just as the educator, not just as a transformational agent, but as a human being. How do you crack open that door? You allow your audience to see a bit of themselves in the same journey that you’re teaching about. That is what honors the dignity of the person listening.
Your responsibility as a speaker is to live the conversation you are having. If you’re going to speak life into someone, make sure that you’re speaking life into yourself first. If you’re going to address limiting beliefs, make sure that you’re addressing your own limiting beliefs. Remember that as a speaker, teacher, coach, etc., you have not arrived anywhere. You’re just on the journey with us and from your viewpoint in the journey, you’re going to teach and inspire a few people from their particular viewpoint.
There are many responsibilities that come up with being a speaker. And these are just a few. I take this role as a transformational coach and speaker very seriously. It’s an honor. It’s an honor to be able to pour into the lives of those watching me.
Remember, this show is not a monologue. It is a dynamic, delicious conversation and I wanna know…did this episode bring something to light that you hadn’t thought about yet? What was your #BOL (breakthrough out loud) or AHA moment? I love reading your comments. I love seeing your engagement with each other. So, please continue to let me know in the comments below when something touches your soul or when it resonates with your life.
This is your home, and when I say I believe in you and I love you, it’s because I truly do.
Your Sister in Prosperity and Possibility,
“Your responsibility as a speaker is to live the conversation you are having.” This touched me as an educator of upper elementary school because I need them to see me not just as their teacher, but as someone who is along on this journey of leaning with them. I must make this distance learning experience more relevant to them as being apart of their daily lives.
You are awesome!!!!!
So Lisa. Your stories hit home with me in many ways. I was born in Los Angeles but I mostly grew up in Compton. Here I am today as an author. I’m super excited about the day when I am able to stand on stage and tell my story. You’ve been a true inspiration for me. I knew some of what you spoke on in the video. You solidified it for me with the types of speakers. I know I’m motivational, but I believe that I am a combination of a few. Is that possible? Well, I plan to work on this for myself so that I’m able to show up and be present.
Thank you so much for this message. I recently started a blog, so this blog is so for me. You are brilliant!!
Thanks so much for inspiring me to be better everyday. I will be launching my podcast in the next 2 weeks titled Don Rosom Speaks. The topics will be on overcoming fear, obstacles and adversity.
Thanks again for being one of my mentors and coaches.
The responsibility of speaker, that’s big.
Words are seeds and they bring after their kind.I just learned about big thinking and small thinking.
My prayer is to thinking,
Big and talk big.
Nice Lisa, would love to hear your vision on the distinctions between Motivational and Inspirational Speaker.
Wow thats exactly what I have been saying about preaching. If you are going to preach about it, make sure you are true to what you are saying, that you point out to the people that you are or have been struggling with the same things. Do not speak as if these are not your struggles when you know that they are.
Woow…, you are awesome Lisa!! this definitely resonate with me as I see my self speaking and changing lives. I am in South Africa and it is my dream to see myself speaking in front of people and changing their lives.
This was definitely confirmation for me. I always say that I can only be me when I am speaking, and I won’t apologize for it. I have a twang not that I’m an original down south country gal but that is where my people from and I have a country acent by way of California. I really enjoyed the moment. Thank you
I just want to say you and the tribe have inspired me to. work on my journey to self and I am learning to love me more than ever
As a Parent Coordinator in a high school you just have me some amazing things that I didnt realize were the foundation to my communication with families, students, co workers and the community. As you did remind me how important it is to inspire and touch the lives of everyone that comes in contact with me thank you
Love you my sister and my tribe
This is the Golden Nugget that makes me sing. You simply showed me that I am enough. That is all I want the next woman to see.. That she is enough. I took your Speak to Inspire course too…life changing!!!! Completely life changing!! Thank you!!!
Thank you for helping me to understand my short comings and I’m ready to be the best I can be on this journey. Lisa you are truly a blessing, thankful
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Thank you Lisa! I’ve been resisting requests to hear from me for the past few years and finally decided that I will soeak next month…. your word today was so timely as I was reminded to be authentic!
Oh, it reminded me to live into a blog I wrote yesterday and this morning –it’s about transforming shame with affirmations. I thought o fyou and how you in one video mentioned affirmations’ power. Also to even one on one with young adults I live with be in a place of seeing their dignity. Also a reminder – oh no – i have to go back and listen again — it was about inspiring being the foundation, oh yes, and not impressing!! That’s a big one for me. And, I usually remember – but this helps, to share where I am on the journey with this and make it a dialogue. So much in your talk. i love you videos and have been watching a number of them. Lisa – on! And I suppose I need to say that to myself too — Claudia – on! Please say a little prayer for me.
Great guidelines for writing my memoir.
Thank you for this great message. I needed this reminder. It is so important to inspire, but also to live what you are speaking about. Thank you, and God Bless you.
You inspire me each time I hear you.. Thank you for making a difference in our lives.
Nothing sweetens the mind as being loved and believed in. Thanks Lisa. Love you loads
Informational, inspirational, transformational ……that’s a bomb. Love you Lisa
Thank you Lisa. I just loved your point on ‘living the conversation that you’re having’ – that is so true.
I know that I have greatness within me and the challenges that I face are to strengthen me to become the influential woman God created me to be.
When I’m ready to share my life experiences with the masses, I am certain that many will be encouraged.
Keep up the excellent work You are a true inspiration. May God continue to use you mightily xx
Hi Lisa,
This was such a wake up call, thank you! “The A-HA” hit me like a tidal wave and I can’t thank you enough. The entire video was a BOL but I sat up in my chair when you said, “if you are speaking life into someone, make sure you are speaking life into yourself first”. Oh my goodness, here I was thinking that I was an inspirational/motivational/transformational speaker and I was not honoring the goddess within me. I had allowed life to get in the way of my message-separation, divorce, illness, financial difficulties, this pandemic. That being said, I’m starting over because you Lisa once said, “it’s never too late to press reset”. God directed me to this video today, I know it! There are no accidents in this universe. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you Lisa, very encouraging.I needed to here from you. Great job.
There is no subscribe button here
Your was outstanding and inspirational as always. But that is how you do it. thanks
What really resonated with me was the fact that it’s essential to speak to my audience from a place of my actual experience, rather than “telling”. I switch off now whenever I hear anyone speaking from a theoretical stance. Thanks Lisa, # truthprevails
YES YES !!!!!!
If I am going to speak life into someone, I have to make sure that I am speaking life into yourself first.
I love that and I also love the fact that speaking into people’s lives is an honour.
Hi Ms Lisa, you said live what you speak. I feel that this statement is so very true, I will be speaking in church soon and I am going to use this technique you describe. Thank you for your teaching
The conversation reminds me of the value of being able to exhibit humility and confidence when addressing people, two qualities that seem as oxymorons to many, yet so valuable to effectively connect to others. Although you didn’t call them by name, your conversation further expressed the essential value of those qualities being “genuinely” a part of the speaker. Thank you Lisa for the informational and inspiring conversation.
Joyce
Love your messages.
Great reminder to deliver information with soul and connection…….yes we have not “arrived” but are putting ourselves out there to share and possibly ease someone’s journey.
It is tough for some of us to be “vulnerable”……but that is “real” that is our human essence.
Thanks for sharing.
Namaste
FB TA DA by KAT KAT’s Home Chat Live Fridays CST.
HI Lisa,
This video came right on time. I have to record a video for a virtual conference and your statement on having a dialogue and not a monologue even when the audience can not reply back was good. You gave me some ideas on presenting my topic discussion.
I am retired media person and this presentation has built confidence in me. It makes me feel alive and encourages me to believe in myself in order to change and to have the willingness to change others. Self confidence that has always been suppressed in me, is now growing and I really feel motivated. The negatives about my ability are fading out and the positive attributes in me are starting to emerge and to make me a better person.
Hi Lisa, wow, truer words have never been spoken, “speaking life into yourself first.” to me, this speaks to one’s character. Character is invisible to the naked eye, until it is revealed through our deeds, actions, humanity.
Truly appreciate you!
Larry
My take away from the message is when you spoke of speaking life into someone, which can’t be done if you don’t make sure you are speaking life into yourself first. Also being on the journey with the person/people you are speaking with. Very relevant now as I take on a role of inspiring, encouraging and motivating others. So happy this was the email I opened 1st this morning.
I’m inspired when I hear you speak and feel the sincerity in your voice.
First of all I would like to say congratulations on your engagement! Your way of teaching just touches and resonates in my spirit. I have not registered my ministry yet. I am still working on my board. I just have to commend you on your deliverance of your words. you are awesome. I look forward to the day that I can afford to attend one of your classes and meet you personally. Love you
You’re always wise and always real, Lisa. That’s why we all love you. I agree with everything you said here and I’m learning the power of transparency. If we don’t share about ourselves, we’re just preaching, and who really wants to be preached to. I best learn about myself from others’ stories and lessons. Thank you for the thought that we’re all speakers, verbally or in writing, even to one person. Best, Dawn
Lisa, you are a wonderful lady, sister-friend, coach! Your words, your energy, your delivery inspires me, inspires us to reach higher and ever higher. Please, please keep it up. When you were speaking I was thinking about how to use you advice to bring my book to a speaker’s platform, how to bring Sojourn to Honduras Sojourn to Healing to an audience. I’ll keep tuning in to you to get further inspiration. See you soon! Have a great day!
This was confirmation for me. I just wrapped up a self love series on my channel and I said to myself,”some of these tips I have not been incorporating for myself.” I say to my audience how I am going through it with them and honestly I am, but I NEED to take the time and focus on me for a minute so I can be present with them, honestly. So I can give them authentic content! I had to take a step back and realize that I truly needed to practice what I preached! Whew! God is in the plan!
Thank you for reminding me to always engage in a dialogue versus a monologue.
Thank you Lisa for answering the call to encourage the masses. Your words are selected with intention and they’re directed to hearts and minds that are open to receive. I am new to your //you/tube page. Lord, I am so glad to come across you speaking at an event on Facebook. You definitely gave me something to enhance my gift of speaking, beginning with my story. I am looking forward to learning more.
Hi Lisa – Please say more about a “dynamic silent exchange” w one’s audience. I am making the switch from personal, directly interactional dialogues to going virtual – me and the camera. (ugh!) My material, and the quality of delivering my content in a way that deeply touches people, REQUIRES that I ‘feel” my audience; SEE their emotional responses; SHARE tears and experiences MUTUALLY – and give and receive lots of hugs! I NEED the emotional energy of my audience in able to deliver at my BEST. Otherwise, its just a lecture, just presenting information – or feels that way. How do I get that energy, emotion, spark, and MUTUAL experience on video – even if I’m live? This is QUITE a dilemma for me.
This did resonate with me and did remind me of something. I always strive to create a dialogue when speaking, presenting, training, etc. I ask questions, I pause to consider a reply in the chat. I do it not because of training, but I honestly enjoy engaging with others. The thing that ‘reminded’ we was a conversation I had with a trainer when in a training session. I had noticed how this guy was responding to us as the ‘students’. When he responded the same to me, I asked to speak privately. In part I expressed to him the importance of giving the audience dignity even when providing feedback. I expressed that was the most important thing to do when engaging with audiences. So to hear you speak on it was refreshing because it is indeed a responsibility as a speaker.
Love your videos Lisa! Greetings from Cochabamba, Bolivia.
The part that mostly resonated with me was “Remember that as a speaker, teacher, coach, etc., you have not arrived anywhere. You’re just on the journey with us and from your viewpoint in the journey…” I would like to be a motivational speaker but for some reason, I always thought that I had to reach some point of “success” first. It seems that is not the case, and that phrase has reached my core and has motivated me more to become a speaker.
I agree that a good speaker honors the dignity of everyone in the audience. No one should feel insulted while listening to a speaker. If everyone feels respected and uplifted then they will be more likely to actually do something as a result of what they heard.