As part of our two-day intensive speaking skills workshop (Powerful, Persuasive Speaking), all of the participants' speaking efforts (usually five) are captured on video.  At the end of Day One, they are asked to view their videos and make certain observations about their (own) speaking:

• What did you do well?
• What surprised you?
• What didn't you like?
• What would you like to improve?

The responses are telling:

• I had no idea I don't smile
• I NEVER stop moving
• Wow - I look fat! (the camera adds ten pounds!!)
• I looked 'doubtful'
• I'm shocked to see how little I look at my audience.

Many students are seeing for the first time what audiences ALWAYS see.  Most - if not all - do not enjoy the experience.  The video - captured by what we affectionately call, "Mr. Canon" - is VERY motivational.  And a critical component for improvement.

While we've always made the effort to use video in our instruction, it used to be merely provided, and optional to view.  We discovered less than half the participants ever bothered to go back and watch the video!  Many said, "Are you crazy?  I have no desire to see myself.  I was terrible that day."  And they missed out on the most important aspect of changing such habits - the ability to see what truly happened.  It's now required - and one of the most powerful aspects of the workshop.

But it's not just for people learning the skills.  It is an incredible refresher.  Last week I had a speaking engagement at one of my clients - a repeat engagement in fact.  The easy course of action is to repeat exactly what I did before - after all, I was invited back! But as part of my preparation, I pulled out the recording (I just had audio, which is also quite telling, and easier to pull off since most cell phones can double as an audio recorder) from my previous engagement on that topic.  I did NOT like what I heard.  In particular, it took WAY too long to get to the core of the message, I wasn't pausing nearly enough when the audience laughed, and my voice inflections were FAR from compelling in emotional moments.  I lost some sleep and made some key changes.  I practiced my stories again and again.  I wasn't completely sure that I had nailed it (you cannot be sure on your own assessment.  You need to know what Mr. Canon, or the client, says).

The result?  When I finished, one audience member who has seen me a lot reported, "That was your best yet!"  While such acknowledgement is affirming and nice to receive, I know it can be better still.  Because...I recorded this effort as well (as I attempt to do for ALL my speaking engagements), and have a whole new set of action points for improvement.

For speakers aspiring to REALLY be great, reviewing recordings cannot be optional.  The ONLY way you can truly get the visceral and objective feedback you need to change behavior is to watch and listen to yourself speak.  We are terrible evaluators of ourselves.