Leading, The Appreciative Way ... by Raju Mandhyan

Leading, The Appreciative Way ... by Raju Mandhyan

Anger, Pride & Ego

Being a Maestro of Ceremonies

Taking on the assignment of being a host, a master of ceremonies or “compêre” as it called in certain countries can be an exhilarating and a challenging job. A person doing the task can shine or simply sink the crowd and the occasion into oblivion. Yet, being a Maestro of Ceremonies is a form of Public Speaking and can be learned and practiced.

I have been Maestro of Ceremonies scores of times and I have, always, loved the challenge, the exposure and the opportunity to enthral, educate and entertain large audiences. Here are quick tips on how to go about doing this job well. For deeper learning, of course I’d recommend investing in my book, the HeART of public Speaking, available on Amazon and in stores in the Philippines.

 #1 Relax when you get assigned to be the MOC. Trust in “This Too Shall Pass!” Breathe normally.I~^{P

 #2 Just like you choose happiness plan to choose being charming and engaging for the event.

 #3 Read up, internalize, and get all the details right at least a day before. Know all names of speakers, presenter, etc; and memorize them if you can. Breathe, nice & cool!

#4 Divide the work, the time and the spotlight properly between you and your lovely co- host, if any. Build rapport with co-host even before the event.

#5 Print ONLY that you MUST read and in really big, bold font. Number your note-pages BOLDLY. Memorize the ad-Lib and “improv” the rest of the material.

#6 On the night before the event and the event day...rest a lot, eat right and light. Drink no liquor and smoke no tobacco before the event.

 #7 Test the stage sounds by ALSO letting someone else speak from the lectern while you listen for clarity from the farthest end of the event hall.

 #8 Many will recommend start with a bang. I say start cool. Real slow, suave and cool!  Build up a crescendo. Breathe nice & cool throughout the process.

 #9 “Emceeing” or Compère-ing requires more listening and orchestrating than speaking. It is gracious facilitation of a dialogue between the speakers and the audience.

 #10 Stay aware. Watch people. Listen to people. Give other speakers, presenters and the audience a 101% attention. Continue to focus on your breathing. Breathe cool.

 #11 Use selected words and humor expressed by one presenter to link & connect the introduction and topic of another presenter. Weave in “Theme of the Day.” Flow with ease through your adlibs and improvisation.

 #12 Depending on size of the room and the size of the audience speak 10% to 20% louder than normal. Smile inwardly and outwardly as you talk. It’ll be felt and sensed by all the people present.

 #13 If you stumble, mumble or fumble make light of it quickly; forgive yourself quickly and move on. Smile and Let the Show Go On. People understand and are usually kind. If your co-host stumbles, mumbles or fumbles make do as if it was your error and you will be liked by all.

 #14 While speaking make eye contact, pause often, and project voice as if you were speaking to the last person in the hall.

#15 Build up other speakers/presenters before they speak and thank them after they speak. (the book, the HeART of Public Speaking, has the protocol on Introducing Speakers)

 #16 Every once in a while, sparingly and carefully, engage an audience member through a rhetoric question or a light conversation recall you might have had with them earlier. This is an effort on inclusion and engagement. It, usually, engages a lot more people than just the ones you may have had spoken to.

#17 Sustain your stamina, stay enthused. Drink warm water every now and then and have light snacks throughout the event. Focus on your breathing and on staying relaxed.

 #18 Summarize, together with your co-host, the activities and in your summary include words and points made by all Presenters and Speakers.

#19 Have a pre-planned, pre-practiced simple quote relevant to the event and use it before you bid adieu and thank everyone profusely.

#20 Relax & celebrate.  This Too Has Passed. Watch this Video. This, though, I must confess was a large event and very tightly scripted.

 #21 For the next time invest in a book and an audio book called, the HeART of Public Speaking because Public Speaking, like Leadership, is not just about Looking Good or Speaking Good but really and truly about Doing Good!

Raju Mandhyan 

Raju Mandhyan on Form & ContentR

Raju Mandhyan on Form vs Content     www.mandhyan.com

An Entrepreneurial Stretch

A little over a month ago, a bunch of colleagues and I were flying back from an event in Cebu, Philippines. At the airport, in a nice little sandwich shop I asked if my peppered chicken sandwich would have a few chips on the side. The waitress said she was sorry their outlet did not carry any chips. A sandwich without chips on the side did not make sense to me. “Do you think I could pop by a neighbouring shop and buy my own bag of Salt & Vinegar flavoured chips?” I asked. She gently paused, placed her note-taking pencil on her lips, “Let me see what I can do,” she said and left. And, she was gone for a while. “Oh, Sir, they only have a bag of regular chips, will those do?” she asked upon coming back. “That’ll be okay, I guess,” I replied. 
She disappeared again and took quite as much time as she’d done before. When she came back I offered to pay and asked why going to the store next door took so long. She didn’t accept the cash saying she’d include it in the whole tab and mentioned that the chips came not from the store next door but from one outside the airport. 

From outside the airport? I was amazed and touched by her efforts. This was quality service and of the kind that Filipinos are known for and take pride in. Upon further probing, I also discovered that she was not the manager of the sandwich shop and there was also no manager there as of that time and day. She’d take this decision to serve and satisfy customer needs in consensus with another colleague at the shop. 

I also learned that she was quite sure that management and the owners of that store would have approved of her decision and actions. For me that was an amazing feat. Very few employees in small stores like that bother to stretch their services and responsibilities so much. When we as managers or bosses are able to inculcate such responsible action taking, such environment where our teams can exercise entrepreneurship abilities and take risk then we too will deserve pats on our backs. 

 What we need to do is: 

1. Get clear about what our business goals and values are. 
2. Make these goals and values clear to all those that help and support our work. 
3. Nurture an atmosphere of support and service to all, customers and team members alike. 
4. Write down the policies and yet create room for experimenting and risk-taking. 
5. Applaud and reward outstanding acts (such as walking a mile to buy chips for a customer) of service, ingenuity, dedication, honesty and loyalty by individuals. 

I am, at this stage, so tempted to share the name of that girl and the sandwich shop at Cebu airport but I guess it’d be improper to do so without getting an approval from those concerned. But, I can tell you this...their peppered chicken sandwiches go really well with salty chips and a Coke.