Icebreakers
To help reduce your nervousness when you begin a presentation, and to allow your audience to relax and listen more intently, you may want to begin by creating an informal atmosphere before moving into your formal presentation.
Starting with an “icebreaker,” (a polite prologue that creates a connection between audience and speaker) is one way to create this feeling of informality and intimacy.
The icebreaker should achieve three purposes:
1. Express your pleasure of speaking to this group
2. Compliment the audience
3. Connect the audience to you and the subject (that rapport concept again!)
The late comedian Minnie Pearl used one of the best icebreakers and she did in one second. Every appearance, in person or on television during the broadcasts of the Grand Old Opry show, Minnie began with her trademark opener,“I’m just so proud to be here!” Then, if she were making a personal appearance, her next line referred to something about the town or city – a person, landmark or event.
Then, of course, there was President John F. Kennedy’s famous statement at the Berlin Wall. In German he said,“Ich bin ein Berliner” (which translates to “I am a Berliner”). In four simple words, he bonded with his audience, and the audience roared its approval.
We are not world leaders or world-class comics, but we can learn from them. “I’m just so proud to be here” can become “Speaking to a group such as this is a privilege,” followed by who they are: risk takers, community leaders,movers and shakers, or tomorrow’s leaders. Describe the audience and connect with them, just like Minnie Pearl and JFK did. These two had very disparate presentation personas, but both were world-class rapport builders—whether at the Grand Old Opry or in the theatre of global politics.
Key points to remember about icebreakers:
- Be honest and sincere. Flattery for the sake of flattery insults and alienates an audience.
- Make your icebreaker brief and to the point. You do not want to open with a rambling monologue that loses the attention of your audience and drains your presentation of its energy and forcefulness.
