Public
perception matters a lot. If you appear overconfident and arrogant, you risk
losing the empathy of your audience. You seem to be disingenuous, “holier than
thou,” and your listeners begin to discount your message.
Just
think of your own reactions to public personas. Take the British royals. The
public was anti-monarchy after Diana died because they perceived that Charles’
family treated her poorly. But that has changed with a more kindly portrayal in
recent press. The public sees the Queen slowing down with age and understands
what a burden she has carried. It is lonely at the top. So now the perception
of the Queen has flipped…from a cold-hearted public figure to an aging and
gentle matriarch.
Take a tip from sales presentation training experts: show your human (or puppy) side.
If you expose vulnerability, the audience will identify with you and more
readily accept what you have to say. Share a personal story that reveals a
human flaw. Your listeners will perceive you as more trustworthy and more
readily believe you.
