Chapter 14 Humble words and deeds are more flattering

In all relations between speaker and audience, sincerity is the most basic and indispensable element.A speaker who wants to be loved by his audience has better keep a low profile. In all relations between speaker and audience, sincerity is the most basic and indispensable element.Norman Vincent Peale once gave another clergyman some advice about sincerity.The preacher could barely hold the attention of his audience while he was preaching, so Norman Vinson Peale asked him to ask himself what kind of feelings he had for the people he faced every Sunday morning— Do you like them or not?Would you like to help them?Do you think you are smarter than them?Dr. Peale said, "I have never stepped into the pulpit without feeling strongly about the men and women I was about to confront." If a speaker thinks he is intellectually or socially superior, his listeners know it.Therefore, if the speaker wants to be loved by the audience, it is best to adopt a low profile.

Edmund S. Muskie demonstrated this technique in a speech to the American Debating Association in Boston when he was Senator from Maine. "Today I was sent to perform my duties, and I have some worries in my heart." He said, "First of all, I know that you are all experts, and I cannot help but suspect that my speech here is out of class. Under your sharp eyes It will only expose one's own stupidity. I don't know if it is a wise move. Secondly, this is a breakfast meeting. The morning is when a person's vigilance is at its worst. If it fails, the consequences for a politician will be disastrous. Finally, My subject is: Debating the Effects of My Public Service. Because of my political activity, my influence on my constituencies is likely to be sharply divided. Faced with these concerns, I feel very much like a A mosquito broke into the nudist camp unintentionally, and I simply don't know where to start."

And so began Congressman Muskie, who finished with an excellent speech. Adlai E. Stevenson's commencement speech at Michigan State University also took a low profile.He said: "I always feel powerless in situations like this. I remember Samuel Butler being asked how to make the most of life and he said, 'I don't even know how to make the most of the next fifteen minutes. Got it.' I feel the same way about twenty minutes now." If you want your audience to be hostile to you, a good way to do this is to tell them that you are superior.When you give a speech, it's like putting yourself in a window, showing every side of your humanity, and if you boast a little bit, you're bound to fail.But it's also a bad thing if you come across as worrying and lacking in confidence.You can appear very humble, but you can't show that you are worried about gains and losses and have no confidence.As long as you show your determination to be the best you can be, and of course mention your limited talents, your audience will love you and respect you.

The competition in the American TV circle is very cruel, and the actors who get the highest ratings in each season have to fall into an even more scorching competition.Ed Sullivan is one of the actors who can not disappear here every year.He was a journalist, an amateur in the competitive world of television.But he was able to stay in the competition because he didn't think highly of himself and considered himself an amateur.His unnatural behavior in front of the camera may be a mistake for others, but he always makes it so natural and touching.He rested his chin on his hands, arched his shoulders, pulled at his tie, stuttered, and none of these flaws detracted from him, and he didn't bother to criticize him.Every season, he has at least one master impersonator to do a perfect TV impersonation of himself, exaggerating his flaws.He laughed at these ridiculous gestures like everyone else.He welcomes criticism, and audiences love him for that.Audiences love humility and loathe pompous show-offs.

Henry and Dana Lee Thomas, in their book "Modern Religious Leaders," said of Confucius: "He never showed off his knowledge. He only tried to enlighten them by his sympathy." If we can have such an inclusive mind, we have already held the key to open the hearts of our audience.