Preparing for Medical Lectures, Pro Tip #15 -- "The goal: impress the sound tech. B/c they've heard it all!"

Whenever I face a crowd of doctors, I like to stir things up by asking, "Who here has survived a snooze-inducing medical lecture or talk?" Inevitably, every hand will be raised in response. After all, how can you and I possibly walk through an entire career in healthcare without enduring a few boring lectures or long afternoons spent in some corner of a conference center with titles like "Advanced-stage presentation of cancer at the time of diagnosis and its associated factors among adult cancer patients at [INSERT NAME HERE] comprehensive specialized hospitals, [INSERT PLACE HERE] 2024?

By Michael Tetreault, Editor, Concierge Medicine Today, Author and SpeakerWant to be a better public speaker? Ever wondered what secrets those elusive healthcare speakers you recall over the years hold? As a veteran medical conference organizer and frequent public speaker, I've gathered a treasure trove of tips from some amazing people in healthcare over the past two-decades [and got a couple of degrees in communication -- if that's important ya!] that could be your ticket to success. Let me clue you in on one of the secrets of the trade that most people, especially in healthcare, don’t talk about. While you might excel at comforting patients, facing a crowd can be a whole different experience and for some, extremely nerve-wracking. So, whether you're gearing up for a major medical lecture, a simple podcast interview, or a presentation to peers, here are some pro tips that have helped me help your colleagues become better presenter countless times before they walk up on stage.Here they come:1. Roughly 99% of [PHYSICIANS] public speakers ruin their speeches in the first sentence. There's usually a reason why at the end of a presentation (and we've all been there!), that when you ask for questions, no one raises their hand.Why?I can tell you for a fact that it's not because you did such a good job explaining the subject matter that the audience is full. Nope, it's because they usually don't want to be stuck listening to any more of this speaker drone on and discuss the topic.Just as you and I quietly hope no one raises their hand, admittedly we've all slinked back in our chairs and feel sorry (oddly all at the same time) for our colleague because we know there was a disconnect between the audience, the speaker and the presentation.You see most medical presentations and presenters' introductions often require a significant overhaul – they can be as dull as watching paint dry. A lackluster response to the 'Any questions?' which we raised earlier speaks volumes and proves our hypothesis, which is: "Yes, we've all sat through boring lectures -- that with a little personalization and better preparation could've landed better with the audience." Ultimately, the presenter failed to leverage the time. Instead, they just filled it.

I understand that you're a medical professional presenting stats and data and discussing complex topics, but there's no excuse for it to be uninteresting.

Imagine this: I hand a bunch of Doctors a plain old coffee mug and watch their eyebrows move up as they wonder, "How on Earth can I make this dull mug exciting for the next 60-minutes?!"I'd fire back with this example: I'd say something like this ... "Picture this - it's 2017, and I'm chatting post-conference in a sea of empty chairs after all of the Physicians have left with an older gentleman named Hans. He's been our barista in the back and making all of our the coffee for the past three days. He spilled the beans after the event to me that 'I've been working events like this size for decades and I've never seen an audience consume this much coffee! And, that's not all! I'm about to spill the beans on the mystery of those magical mugs you have sitting in front of you."With that simple example, you and I can make a chemically complex ceramic mug or a simple and unusual topic instantly interesting with a well-prepared and timely story. I believe (and my experience as an event organizer proves it) that we all have to prepare better. But, let's face it, you didn't reach these prestigious heights without mastering the art of being prepared. Isn't it time to jazz things up a bit and get a little creative? At the end of the day the goal isn't to fill the time. Anyhone can do that. But, you're different. You're an expert. I want you to leverage your time with the people in the room. I don't want your audience to nod off before you even hit your stride. Consider how you can inject some stories into your next presentation in order to keep your audience glued until the very end!What does this look like? Well for you, I would say that no one doubts that you’re excited to be there. But, no one needs you to reintroduce yourself right after the host of the event gives you the mic. Even if there was no introduction, your name is probably on the program, sitting in front of each audience member, on the schedule, or even a sign outside the room.Unfortunately, however, we’ve all heard speakers walk up on stage and start their speeches the same way: “I’m so honored to be here. My name is Dr. SO-AND-SO, and I’m excited that I get to be here with you today. Today's talk is entitled ...”No. No. No. Please, don't make this mistake.So, what should you do instead?2. Start with a personal story and weave the mundane (oops, sorry!) stuff into your own unique story.To all the white coats and stethoscope wielders out there, here's a golden nugget of advice: before you take the stage, come prepared to sprinkle some personal story into your speech within the first 90 seconds! But here's a pro tip! Please do not give away the ending or spoil the end all at once! Save the moral of the story for the end. Keep your audience guessing until your big finale where you tie your topic, the data, etc., all together like the storytelling, life of the party cool guy (or gal!) you are! Here's an example of an introduction I gave to Physicians recently about patient burnout in healthcare and the importance of customer service inside a doctors office. I walked up on stage and immediately turned on my mic and started by saying this ..."My Grandma was a talented Ukrainian Easter egg painter and a wicked-fast crocheter. She made some of the most complicated knots and artsy patterns come to life with her fingers all the while watching her soap operas in her living room when I was a kid. One day I asked her to make me some golf club covers ... but more on that later!"You'll notice from the example (above) I didn't state or repeat my name, read my presentation title or tell the audience my work history of title. All of that as well as the all important 'Disclosures' can come right after that. No one is saying those aren't important, but, they shouldn't be the first thing you do when you walk up to the podium.Robin Roberts, one of today’s most beloved broadcasters, says, "People don't really care too much about facts. But if you can get the message across through a story, especially a personal story that you have, that is very effective."Public speaking can stir up nerves for everyone. I still get nervous and that's a good thing! Some of the coolest medical cats I know in healthcare get nervous too, although some may never admit it. The truth is, only a tiny bunch of your colleagues in healthcare really ever dive into making their next presentation their best presentation and pick up pro tips and best practices along the way from others because they believe that because they live and breathe the subject matter every day they're going to be able to walk up on a stage and deliver an engaging, heartfelt and powerful presentation that leaves the audience thirsty for more and creates a flurry of social media buzz.I think you're experience (and mine) at medical conferences over the years bears witness to this falacy and teases this out.So, are you going to join the public speaking cast of top-notch storytellers in healthcare you admire, or are you going to be just another lecture the audience forgets? In the end, you're not just stringing a bunch of words together to fill the time. I want you to leave your audience with a lasting impression on a difficult topic that you're clearly the subject matter expert on. Like my Grandma, you're creating a blanket full of color, twists and knots with your stories, you thoughts and tieing a complicated topic to their brain in only a way that's unique to you. At the end of the day it's all about choosing carefully the stories and words you will use to make a challenging topic come to life. And just like my Grandma Alice brought to life her art by painting Ukrainian Easter eggs, she also used her crochet wizardry to make so many beautiful things in only the ways that she could. Although, honestly, I still wish I'd gone for black yarn that day for my golf club covers instead of yellow. The guys at the course have never let me live that down! :)3. Spot the "Happy Camper" in the audience.Pro Tip: Seek out the smiles and make eye contact with them [regularly] in the sea of faces!Where are those two or three beaming souls who are all-in and radiating good vibes from the audience? They are the ones who make eye contact with the presenter early and often because either the presenter connected with some audience members before they walked up on stage or, because they're simply enthralled by the topic. Either way, they are your metaphorical cheerleaders in the room!They are to be the ones whom you know beyond the shadow of a doubt are FOR you! So as you make eye contact with the audience, you should make eye contact with them back bop around sea of faces from Happy Camper to Happy Camper. It's like an instant shot of motivation for any presenter. Why? Because you know your message is hitting the bullseye.Trust me, it's a piece of cake to spot (and zone in on) the one grumpy Gus or negative Nell in the room. But you're talk isn't going to hit a homerun with everyone. It will hit home with the one or a small group of someones. Public speakers know this and especially in the medical world, they have a knack for spotting that one tough cookie with folded arms and a frown and instantly get emotionally deflated and lose their train of thought when presenting. So why not focus on your new friends in the audience who are nodding along, locking eyes with you and taking studious notes? Spotting the happy campers in the room turns your talk into a friendly chat rather than a snooze-fest lecture, and everyone wins! It's that shot of dopamine we all need as public speakers to keep up from getting distracted and discouraged.And remember, you've done hard stuff before, and you'll do hard stuff again. You got this!

4. Avoid kicking off with a snooze-fest introduction listing your name, med school degrees, title of your presentations, company name, or your fancy title.

This is a big one and it's tied to our first best practice or pro tip so it's worth elaborating.

The first two minutes after you take the stage are the most critical part of your talk. And roughly 99% of public speakers ruin their speeches in the first sentence.

You've seen it and so have I, on more than one occasion. In fact, it's more common in healthcare than anywhere in public presentations.

You'll identify this mistake when the presenter starts off their speech by thanking the audience.

No one cares about that.

No one doubts that you’re excited to be there.

No one needs you to reintroduce yourself right after the host of the event did.

Yet you and I have sat through countless talks and lectures that start that same old way. You might as I have even made this mistake before.

Remember that you’ve got only the briefest moment at the beginning of your talk to create some curiosity. Don’t throw it away on a hollow “thanks for having me and here's my name and title” introduction.

You can always thank the audience, host, venue, etc., later. Like Eminem says "You only get one shot."

5. Save the social graces for the end, if at all.

My mentors, education and past experience with dozens of professional and talented healthcare professionals and public speakers over the years has informed me as an event organizer and speaker myself that the beginning and the end of your talk are the two most important minutes of any presentation, regardless of the topic.

Wrap that time into two three-minute moments with a personal story, and you've accomplished what 99% of public speakers forget or downright ignore.

6. "Go, you!"

The audience could have sat down anywhere in the world that day (literally!), but they chose you instead! ALWAYS remember your crowd is your biggest cheerleader and secretly waving pom-poms and chanting quietly for your success!I flashback to the wise words from a mentor of mine ages ago, just before stepping onto the same stage: "They're rooting for you to do well," he said. I carry that one golden nugget with me on stage every time I prepare, practice, and present to a group of healthcare professionals. That sage advice has been my North Star for years, and I hope it helps someone today in healthcare tomorrow.

7. Get out of the green room and into THE room!

This is often forgotten, missed, or ignored, but it's a big one. Learn what the view is like from the lobby, registration, the back of the room where you're speaking and take it even one step further: drop the title of 'Speaker' from your badge. Become a member of the audience.A lot of high-profile speakers you read about hide in the green room, attempting to make a big splash when invited on stage. I think this is the wrong approach. Having been an invited participant to these rooms I find little to no value except it allows me to connect with a new person or two and networking with contacts I already know.Not only does this approach disconnect a Speaker from the event it creates a barrier between the audience and the content. It's a missed opportunity. At the end of the day, the content is the lasting bond and connection with the audience. The Speaker just happens to be the current mouthpiece with a microphone. I am of the belei\f that the content should outlive the Speaker. But, that's just me.Here's another example. Sometimes, event organizers will put a SPEAKER ribbon on the lanyards when you pick up your badge. As an event organizer, I purposefully don't do this because at our events in Concierge Medicine, everyone is an audience member, and everyone can learn from each other. If that bruises your ego, well, you'll probably not be a speaker on the stage while I'm still organizing the event. (Sorry, not sorry). Typically, as an invited speaker, I like to remove the SPEAKER ribbon from my badge altogether or wait until after I've finished my talk. I believe that just because you're a Speaker doesn't make you more important or different from the people you're trying to reach or teach. I love this recent story from a business event. The audience members observed something quite different about the Keynote speaker before the event even started. He writes: "J~’s speaking time began at 8:00 AM. A breakfast buffet was provided for the audience as part of their ticket price. Approximately 30 tables seating eight people each filled the room. I looked up as I was eating and noticed J~ clearing the tables, picking up people’s trash, and putting it in the garbage cans stationed around the auditorium. I was shocked in a positive way!!! I had never seen a keynote speaker of any kind from the countless conferences I’ve attended clearing off the tables of the audience before speaking. Most remain in the green room, awaiting their introduction before taking the stage. Think about this for a moment. The keynote speaker, one of the VIPs (so to speak) at the event, one of the top speakers in the world, the author of a book, the one people paid to see, dare I say the celebrity of the event for a day, was picking up trash!"  

I would also recommend you take a stroll to the back of the room if you arrive early and see through the eyes of the cool cats in the back row. Those distant souls might be emitting vibes of resistance to other speakers, and you might want to know why. Seeing things from a different perspective reminds you and I that the back row matters too. They shouldn't miss out on the limelight. (For a sneak peek, check out the pic below. Just before the show started, I ambled to the back and snapped this shot, enjoying the view a couple of times.)

8. Forge an unbreakable bond with the audio wizard!

This is the one guy or gal who controls what the audience sees and hears. If you tick this person off, be a jerk, or come unprepared with an unformattable presentation that is different from the one he/she already have, then you better be prepared to kiss and make up.I strongly suggest you buddy up with the audio/visual wizards rocking your show and be nice!I've attended countless medical conferences outside the area where I work here in concierge medicine and noticed that some invited speakers who took the stage at a lot of medical events are very different from their on-stage presence.That was disappointing. Not to mention, their use of profanity on the stage during their talks is also a big no-no.Neglecting the audio/visual technicians can make your presentation a tech nightmare. And in case you didn't catch it earlier, be nice! ;) 

9. If Mic'd, don't turn it "On" until it's time to walk up on stage.

True story: I Hosted an annual industry conference, the Concierge Medicine Forum, and just a few years ago, a mishap unfolded during the critical opening moments before showtime. A wonderful and sweet speaker accidentally turned the lavalier on either by accident or two minutes early.

As the Host, it's our job to be comfortable public speakers and jump on the metaphorical A/V grenades or navigate longwinded talkers, so I did. I smoothly turned an unforeseen technical A/V hiccup into a spotlight moment for our unsung sound heroes, earning them a round of applause but also jumping quickly to the speaker's side to turn off the mic so as not to add embarrassment.

Just another day in the wild world of public speaking I guess!

10. Get there SUPER early and mix it up with your crowd!Shake hands with five friendly faces in the crowd before showtime. Maybe positively sprinkle in a few name drops during your speech to make it feel like a personalized party! However, never share anything embarrassing, told in confidence or private, or anything that would make the person or audience uncomfortable. 

11. Steer clear of unleashing videos at all costs in your presentations and talks!

Sure, the allure of emotionally charged videos and snazzy transitions are tempting and fill the time well or make a point, but trust me, they're like a clown at a retirement party.

Meaning, why? Not the time nor the place.

If you can, skip the videos in your talks and future presentations. I know, I know, we live in a video-crazed world. But let's be real, how many times have we seen a top-notch talk go down the drain because of a technical glitch with the video or lousy sound?

It's almost comical how relieved production crews are when in pre-planning meetings, we inform them that "Hey, we've told our Speakers,  'no videos.'"

Their usual response is: "Phew, thank you!"

12. Avoid internet surfing, website navigation, tech or app showcasing, screencasting, and software demos in all of your presentations, now and in the future!This blunder has made us all cringe and feel sorry for the poor soul behind the podium. So, steer clear of it!

13. Chill out before the spotlight shines on you!

I have a little ritual to calm my nerves just before I step onto the stage. Sometimes, I dive into some favorite quotes I've squirreled away on my phone. But more often than not, I shoot a quick text to my wife or our family group chat.

I never anticipate a reply beforehand since, after two decades of wedded bliss, she knows me like the back of her hand. She knows a response would be a detour in my mind.

For me, family is my anchor, keeping me rooted and balanced. They're my biggest cheerleaders if this next talk or public speaking engagement goes down in flames. For me, it's like a booster shot that removes most of the jitters, keeps me grounded in reality and reconnects me with my purpose. I'm just Dad to them. I'm just Mike to someone special. I'm not more important than anyone here and just like everyone else in the audience. Sending that text is a gentle reminder (for myself really) that in just 30 minutes or so, it'll all be a story, history, and that my biggest cheerleaders still have my back, whether I nail the introduction, the presentation or drop the ball at the very end.

14. Your debut performance should not be the premiere of your practice session.Most of the time, healthcare professionals deliver boring presentations is two reasons:

1. They were too busy to prepare and assumed the slides would do the work.
2. They went from creating the slides to presenting the slides.

Now, you might believe these two explanations are like two peas in a pod. And you'd be spot on! Most lackluster (let's sugarcoat it) presentations tend to overlook a crucial element. To rock the stage with a riveting speech on any topic, you gotta ace three key ingredients -- credit for this order is J.H.

1. Prepare.
2. Practice.
3. Present.

Most presenters, especially those in healthcare, skip step number 2 altogether. They think they've got this presenting gig down pat just because they're pros in their field. But as your trusty CME surveys have shown time and time again, they couldn't be more off the mark!Planning is one thing, but putting in the practice is a whole other ball game. When you finally take the stage, your content should be as captivating as a magic show. You'll know just when to drop in a pause for giggles, leave space for applause, perfect your rhythm, stress certain points, and more. Your debut performance should not be the premiere of your practice session. Sadly, that's often the case with those never-ending medical lectures.Please, don't make that same mistake.15. Impress the Sound Tech!As we stated earlier, the tech maestros should have your back. They are your backstage buddies, not just someone stroking your ego and making you feel good. However, if you can give a talk and impress the sound technicians, you know you've connected with an audience who knows nothing about your subject matter in a way that 99% of speakers never will. Why? You've made something complicated and simple and kept the attention of an individual(s) who doesn't know your industry jargon."They've heard it all, so ask them how you did afterward to help you learn what you can do better next time!" (Credit: J.A.) At the end of the day, what matters is you do you. After all, and we say it often "It's no longer about being the best Doctor in the world anymore, it's about being the best Doctor FOR the world, FOR your Patients and FOR your local community."If you can do that, you have our attention!

FOR You, FOR Doctors,

~Michael