Transferring Control to Another Speaker

Chapman UniversityDodge College of Film and Media Arts

For Peter Weitzner,Professor/Director of Television/Broadcast

Journalism

© 2010 Thomas Kalajian, BS, CRTP, AVA, ABAR

www.thomaskalajian.com

Lectern vs. Podium

Lectern

Floor Standing

Podium

Table-top (or Table-top Lectern)

Control of the Lectern

• The lectern is usually the sole control point of the event (unless it is a bare stage event with no lectern)

• Whoever controls the lectern, controls the event – period.

• The lectern must be occupied at all times to maintain order

Position of Leadership and Control

• The audience expects the speaker to control the event

• There is only one control point at a time

• The audience expects orderly transfer of control to another

Transfer of Control

• The audience expects the transfer of control to be:

• Smooth, not awkward

• Orderly and planned, not haphazard

• Gradual, not abrupt

• Respectful and dignified, not coarse or rude

• The control point, lectern, should never be abandoned or disregarded by the speaker

Goofs Are Common by VIPs, Celebrities and Politicians

• Abandonment of lectern results in:

• Loss of control of proceedings

• Loss of focal point for audience

• Signals the premature end of the event

• Turning your back to the audience

• Is rude and insulting to audience

• Shows lack of respect for audience

• Invites audience to lose respect for you, turn their attention elsewhere and disrupts the event

Goofy Example 1

Goofy Example 2

Goofy Example 3

Goofy Example 4

Goofy Example 5

Goofy Example 6

Goofy Example 7

Goofy Example 8

Goofy Example 9

More Goofs by VIPs, Celebrities and Politicians

• Avoid others at the lectern

• Loss of control of proceedings

• Loss of focal point for audience

• Background competition for attention of audience

• Introduction while person stands at lectern distracts from the speaker

Goofy Example 10

Goofy Example 11

Goofy Example 12

Goofy Example 13

Goofy Example 14

Goofy Example 15

Four Steps to Transferring Control1. Turn and face the arriving

speaker2. Immediately lead applause3. Shake hands with arriving

speaker and guide him/her into position

4. Discretely step back and away from the lectern

Step 1: Turn and Face

• Remain at the lectern at your position while you pivot and turn toward the speaker

• Maintain continuous eye contact with the speaker

• Smile warmly and project a friendly and welcoming demeanor

Step 2: Lead Applause

• Begin your applause immediately as you turn towards approaching speaker

• Maintain eye contact with approaching speaker• Maintain continuous applause, no matter how

long this takes, until speaker arrives• Correct applause:

• Should be enthusiastic and genuine • Should NOT be

• Weak, slight or lackadaisical (it’s disrespectful)• Too boisterous, clownish, silly or weird• With hands too high, too low or by your face

Step 3: Hand Shake

• Begin hand shake by offering your hand just before the speaker reaches you

• Maintain position of control behind or just to one side of the lectern. Do NOT move.

• Greet the speaker with a genuine smile• Suggests to audience to feel warmth and respect

toward speaker• Shows respect towards speaker• Helps put speaker at ease• Gets speaker off to good start by smiling back

• Offer firm handshake with two or three pumps only, then release naturally

Step 4: Step Back Away

• As handshake ends, gently nudge speaker towards your position behind lectern with hand-shake hand (right hand)

• As speaker moves behind lectern, you back away and move off to the side and back from the speaker

• Back away from lectern quietly and discreetly as speaker begins by thanking you for your introduction

• You may pause at this point, looking at speaker

• Graciously accept thanks while stepping backwards until you are out of the audience’s view, then turn and walk off

Review: Four Steps to Transferring Control1. Turn and face the arriving

speaker2. Immediately lead applause3. Shake hands with arriving

speaker and guide him/her into position

4. Discretely step back and away from the lectern

This Has Been Transferring Control to Another Speaker

© 2010 Thomas Kalajian, BS, CRTP, AVA, ABAR

www.thomaskalajian.com

Chapman UniversityDodge College of Film and Media Arts

For Peter Weitzner,Professor/Director of Television/Broadcast

Journalism