By Tom Henschel
A client of mine recently asked for a checklist to use when she watches herself on video. I normally don’t like checklists. They feel like an iron mallet when you need a silk scalpel.
But when my client asked, I reconsidered. If you want to begin unleashing the transformative power of video, first divide the whole topic in two parts. There’s the content part. It’s the message. It’s all the ideas around the message. It’s the transcript.
Then there’s the style part. The part that makes us say “She has charisma” or “He’s such a snore.”
Content is the message. Style is how it’s delivered. When you watch yourself, focus separately on each.
When you focus on content, are you doing these four things? (They’re good. You want to be doing them!)
CONTENT
- SORT YOUR IDEAS.
Don’t talk in streams of ideas. We can’t follow. Talk in chunks. Tell us how many ideas you have. Tell us when we should close one file and open another.
- SPEAK PERSONALLY
You are the speaker for a reason. Take a point of view. Speak for yourself (or your team or company, etc.). Express your point of view plainly.
- INTERPRET FOR US
For every piece of data, tell us why you’re telling us. Why is it important to you? Why should it be important to us? Without your interpretation, your data has no meaning.
- MAKE YOUR DATA TELL A STORY
Obstacles interest us. Obstacles are the core of every story. Explain the obstacles to us. Tell us what you think of them.
When you are focusing on the style part, what about these four things? Are you doing them? Again, hope so!
STYLE
- EYE CONTACT
Are you really seeing the people you’re talking to? Or are you scanning, not seeing? We can tell the difference. When you can’t look at us, we stop listening sooner.
- RELAXED
Are your shoulders down? Is your face comfortable? Is your body loose? Are you breathing normally? Relaxation is always more valuable than tension.
- STILLNESS
Movement connected to your message is great. But lots of little movements (jiggling a knee, spinning a pen) dissipate your energy and signal discomfort.
- COMMITMENT
Compelling speakers are glad to be speaking. The tone may manifest in many ways, from joy to determination, but the body says, “I’m happy to be here!”
Leaders who waded fiercely into the river of video feedback grew from the experience. They reviewed tape of themselves, knowing they had the opportunity to craft their own brand. They saw themselves as an instrument, a flute, a trumpet, ready to be played.
They watched themselves onscreen and saw a third person who could be molded. And it made a difference in their careers.
The point is one you’ve heard before from us in these blog posts: how you show up matters. Video review can help you show up better!
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To take the brave step into video feedback, schedule a consult with Tom!