Graduation season is here once again, and that means long commencement ceremonies and speeches. Although you and I may never have to deliver a commencement speech, we thought that Admiral William H. McRaven’s commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin was worth our attention.
In under 20 minutes, Admiral McRaven manages to connect with his audience, share inspiring life lessons, and model presentation skills that can benefit every presenter. Today, we’ll focus on three of the skills he used:
Start with What’s on Their Mind
When we coach presenters, we remind them that audiences remember the first and the last thing they hear. Planning the prefect opening starts by considering what is most appropriate for our style, our topic — and our audience. And, if there’s an “elephant in the room,” we recommend that you start with what’s on the audience’s mind. Admiral McRaven models that.
Half a minute into his speech, he admits that among the things he remembers from his own graduation ceremony is the fact that he didn’t have a clue about who the commencement speaker was… and that he can’t remember anything he or she said. “… Acknowledging that fact,” he said, “if I can’t make this commencement speech memorable, I’ll at least try to make it short.” The audience responded with hearty laughter.
Tip: The next time you face a tough crowd, consider thinking about what they may be thinking or expecting. Surprise them by acknowledging the obvious. If it fits your personality, the topic, and the audience, lighten the mood with a bit of humor or transparency like Admiral McRaven did.
Learn to Tell Anecdotes — Succinctly
Whether it’s a memorable commencement address or business presentation, anecdotes or personal stories can capture the attention of an audience like data can’t. They provide vivid details and invite the audience to find commonalities with you, the presenter.
Tip: In your next presentation, include one or two anecdotes to illustrate your main points. Avoid the tendency to go on and on and on by preparing properly. Write the anecdote down from beginning to finish. You’ll be able to see how long it will take to tell and where you can add vivid details and cut superfluous elements.
Summarize Your Key Points
Remember, audiences tend to remember what you share in your opening and your closing. A purposeful closing can make the difference between a forgettable and a memorable presentation.
Tip: Close with purpose, like Admiral McRaven, who summarizes the Navy Seal training lessons he illustrated.
On a side note: We recommend that you organize your content around 3-5 key points, not 10 like Admiral McRaven did. However, when it comes to a commencement speech and 10 equally inspiring lessons, the hope is that every graduate will walk away with at least 2-3 life lessons they can implement immediately.
Mission accomplished, Admiral. It was both short and memorable! You will surely be remembered by your audience.
