The singular, simple goal of the professional speaker who sees her work as art is this:
To cause the audience to think differently
To leave thinking about starting something in a different way than they ever have before.
To change something.
Change?
Seriously?
Yes!
And to be so excited about it that they can’t wait to get started.
A speaker who isn’t driven to do this for you is not worth wasting your time and money with.
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Jeff,
You are so on target with this. I know in my communications class I teach, we go through the different types of presentations, but all of them have a goal (whether it is to inform, to persuade, to make someone think differently, etc.). If a presentation doesn’t trigger something in the audience’s mind, then they leave with nothing, which is what they came with to begin with. So why are you needed if you don’t leave them “triggered?”
I liken this to a great movie. A great movie to me isn’t the one that just entertains me for less than 2 hours and I am done. I can find other things to simply distract me for 2 hours. A great movie is one that, 2 days later, I am still thinking about it. My mind is triggered. Does it make me question things in my mind…does it leave me wanting to think further? That’s also the goal of the professional speaker, and you nailed it!
Bob
Bob, a great professional speaker should never give a speech without issuing some sort of short term challenge.
Something that when done, begins the transformation process.