You’ve heard that phrase before, right? Maybe even been in the room when a speaker said something and the whole place went very still, just for a moment?
What’s that about?
Well, I would bet that what had just been said was not data, statistics, academic jargon, information or teaching points.
I’d put money down that something very personal was just shared, perhaps through a story, which touched everyone right into their soul.
As a speaker myself, I’ve seen from the stage the physiological changes in the audience when I shift from sharing a personal (and relevant!) story into what I’ve been hired to do which is to teach. If you’re a speaker you’ve probably seen it, too: during a compelling story people lean forward, their eyes sparkle and if you’re especially lucky, once – just once – you say something which makes them go suddenly still.
The pin has dropped. Meaning, it’s so quiet that you could hear a tiny sliver of metal fall to the ground.
What has happened is that the audience has gone from a group of individuals to being one body – one corporate body all breathing at the same time because you have just touched them so profoundly.
This is not something easy to achieve, nor do I believe it should be done manipulatively. But be open to it. Share your own life with vulnerability and compassion and see what happens!