Audiences want to know that you, the speaker, know more than they do on the subject you are discussing. Otherwise, what would be the point of them listening? But they also want to know that you came from their position of ignorance, or at least their position of less information.

This is why all-knowing lecturers come across as arrogant and out of touch. If you as the speaker can share stories, examples and other personal details about how you came to your area of expertise it will enhance your standing with your audience in the following ways:

1. Your credibility will be earned because you have the scars to prove it.
2. Your message will be motivational because people will figure out they can master the subject too if you did.
3. You aren’t lecturing from a position of moral or intellectual superiority; you are positioned as a peer. But as a peer with more expertise based on experience.

So share your faults, mistakes and blunders, but always make sure you reveal important lessons you learned that are now helpful to your audience.

More Insights from TJ Walker & Jess Todtfeld
http://www.tjwalker.com and www.SpeakingInsider.com

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