Useing Humour in presentations

Public Speaking - Loose the Sexist Language

 

I have been to a few events in the past where the speaker has uses inappropriate language. The use of sexist language is something you must be careful to avoid in order to be in tune with today's society.

There is an excellent section about this topic in the book Speak Like a Pro by Margaret Bedrosian. She laks about how language changes:

A salesman is now a salesperson.
A fireman is now a firefighter.
You don't look for a chairman for a meeting, you look for someone to chair the meeting or a chairperson. You must be very careful in your use of humour in these PC lead times.

Your audience may get hung up on a word or a phrase.  What usually happens is the ‘tune you out ‘ stop listening because they are offended.  Use of humour, while lifting a presentation can offend, especially political, religious and sexist humour.  These are three topics where people often have strong feeling.

I attended a sports club's formal dinner at Oxford University some time ago.  The speaker was a man in his 50’s who had been responsible for founding the club in the early 70's.   He was due to speak about the struggle he had getting the sport established.   This he did quite quickly and entertyainingly.  He then filled the rest of the time with overtly sexist student stories. As you may guess this did not please the women in the audience, how times change women at sports club dinners!!!!!   One by one the women in the audience left the room as they were offended by his humour.


This can happen and there is nothing more deflating than see you audience head for the door.   One last point.  This speaker used a phrase that unless you are a highly skilled and vastly experienced comedian, you should avoid.  As three women walked past him on their way to the door, he said “Was it something I said?”

Presenting and speaking mean you amend your behaviour and style to fit the audience.  Do whatever you want with your friends, but if you persist in any of these behaviours you will be labelled as "out-of-touch" and your chance to become an acknowledged expert has gone forever.

Paul Johnstone is the founder of

The Paradigm Shakers

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©Paul Johnstone; The Paradigm Shakers

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