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Roger Gilbertson - keynote speaker
A Few Speaker's Stories by Roger Gilbertson First "Speech" - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star I gave my first "speech" as a little tike in Sunday School. It might have been Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - or it should have been. The parents were all sitting out there waiting for us little darlings to say there "piece." I still have the etched memory of the smiling, happy adults looking and applauding - for whatever we said. And we deserved it! We had tackled the civilized humans worst fear: speaking in public. We all won! I don't remember much personal fear or trepidation. In fact it was fun. High School - "Propaganda" This was my first "prepared" speech. Most of my research was done in the Baltimore Poly High School library. The critical component was the Encyclopedia Britannica entry on "propaganda." I recently bought a 1953 edition of the EB at a flea market. When I turned to the page on propaganda a lot of memories flooded back. It looked as I remembered it. The speech was not one of my best - but I do remember it. And even the unsuccessful attempt at humor! Georgia Tech - Toastmasters I wanted to express myself with greater assurance and clarity. So I became a member of the Georgia Tech Student Chapter of Toastmasters. It was fun to develop a style of my own. And I also took a public speaking course from the English Department. But I did not like speaking in class. I seldom asked questions but did respond to a direct question. In an economics course the professor, "Graphs" Cooper, asked about the difference between art and science. He directed the question to me and I gave about a three minute answer - ad lib but well organized and presented. That satisfied his requirement and he did not call on me again. 1976-1998 Senior Navy Officer Speaking After I was promoted to Commander my Navy speaking took off. By the time I was selected for Admiral on 11 November 1991 my platform manner had matured. I "walk my talk" and rarely make a note. One reason is that a written speech must be approved by the Chief of Naval Operations. If you do an extemporaneous speech there is no need for prior approval. "Off the cuff" does not mean unprepared - I always immersed myself before the speech in the material that needs to be covered. I took the Media Course for Admirals. It was a first-class, world-class, experience in the "How To's" of public speaking. I got "on camera" time with a friendly interview, a hostile interview, a stand-up interview, a "talking head" interview looking at the camera, and a press conference. Plus - an ambush interview. Unexpected with lots of rapid-fire confusing questions. Great fun! My development has been toward becoming a "reservoir speaker." That is someone whose mental reservoir is packed, connected, and accessible through techniques of content addressability and associative memory. A Lesson Learned from Wayne Newton Wayne Newton is said to be the most successful entertainer in Las Vegas - because he does a couple of audience diagnostic songs at the beginning of each set. Then he does the rest of the performance based on that analysis. I try to do the same thing with audiences I speak to. We, the audience and I, are working on a join, real-time, artistic project. And the audience is the prime focus. It is not what I leave with that counts - it is what they leave with. So as I "read" the audience I change my delivery to increase the advantage they get from my message. From "Hello" to "Good Bye" - the welcoming ceremony to the the farewell ceremony. |
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The best way to "talk" to me is email: RG@RogerGilbertson.com . A telephone call is good, too: 202/483-3792 And I do get Postal Service mail: Box 103 - Washington, DC 20044-0103 Try LINKS to others! BACK HOME || ~ MISSION ~ Narrative Index ~ Navy ~ Bio ~ Education ~ Bragging ~ Credits ~ FAQ ~ Content Sheet ~ Stories || TO TOP Copyright 1999 Rights Reserved by Roger Gilbertson . . Updated 22 Sep 1999 |
The only
Admiral who has been listed Who's Who in Professional Speaking |