A week ago I presented on the above topic for the Public Relations Institute of Australia (NSW). The presentation included video, stories, discussion and some practical activity. Copied below is the framework of what we mean by performance communication.
Professional communication requires performance communication in at least three ways:
- Legally. Linguists call speech ’performative’ when the words equate with tangible, public changes. Examples include when we name a child, launch a ship, announce a program, declare war, apologise, accept an apology, fire an employee, arrest a person or (arguably) make a promise. In such cases, saying equals doing. Words can change the legal, actual, reality. Many official ceremonies contain performative speech acts: weddings, openings, annual general meetings, court cases (adjourning,sentencing) graduations and awards. Before the performance communication things were one way, after the act, they are another. It’s embarrassing however, when, say because of nerves, someone misperforms this type of speech. The legality of Charles’ and Diana’s wedding and Obama’s swearing-in came into question, because of such kerfuffles.
- Effectively. Professional communicators are expected to get results, i.e. to perform. Results are easily confused with outputs. A media interview is not ultimately a result. It’s a means to a result. Real results might be lowered resistance to an idea or proposal. Real results might be improved awareness, agreement, belief, enquiries, clicks, sales or votes. Whenever we open our mouths in public, tweet, blog or issue a written statement, something is at stake. The important thing is not merely to say or write something, it’s to say or write something that gets a result, that performs.
- Personally. Improving your performance skill increases your communication repertoire and versatility. This lets you act — or if you prefer, behave — in a way that befits the occasion and benefits the audience. Skill improves your use of language, voice, gesture and ability to read and respond to audiences. Skill helps you achieve meaning, resonance and credibility with apparently natural ease. Skill helps you put aside personal limitations and fears, so you can give your audience the information they need, in the way they need it. You gain skill by tapping into and amplifying your talents and by managing your weaknesses.
Comments on this entry are closed.