Power Grab success or failure, it’s your choice

Some speakers get an amazing response to an opening statement while others don’t. One speaker walks out in front of the audience and says, “Good afternoon,” and his audience enthusiastically responds, “Good afternoon!” 

Other speakers try this and fail, “Good morning,” and a small portion of the audience mumbles inaudibly with low energy and volume. The speaker tries again, “I said good morning!”, a somewhat larger portion of the audience responds hesitantly, “Good morning,” in an effort not to be prodded again to respond with another good morning. 

Why? What’s the difference?

The difference is that the first speaker has power and authority and uses it correctly, and the second speaker is desperately attempting an ineffective Power Grab. The hope is that a great response from the audience will put things on track for the presentation. It’s a subconscious power struggle. The speaker is unaware of the deeper reason they are attempting the (greeting and response) attention-getter. Having tried and failed is worse than not having tried at all.

Next time you see someone try and fail with the greeting/response Power Grab tactic, follow the rest of their presentation closely. It will be littered with mistakes, dwindling confidence, apologies, verbal pauses, and many other gaffs. These are speakers who gave up their power before ever stepping in front of an audience.

There are two ways to continue to read about the Power Grab and how it can work for you:

• Presentation Power – The Power-Grab
• Public Speaking Golden Nuggets

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