"Be Real in Speaking and Singing" with Naomi Susan Isaacs

Описание: Welcome back to the Speaker Shine podcast! I am truly honored to host my special guest, Naomi, whose insights have profoundly influenced my own approach to speaking, dating back to a workshop she led at my Toastmasters club, the Munich Pros Masters. That workshop introduced me to the concept of speakers who "take the party to the audience" versus those who say they "bring the party to them", which felt "strangely powerful" when I adopted the latter approach.

In this session, we delve into Naomi's journey from developing her distinct, powerful voice, which she attributes partially to her family history of having to fight her way to being heard, to finding rebellion and freedom through discovering jazz. She shares her deep belief in "Singing for All," arguing that nobody should be excluded from singing, as telling a child they cannot sing attacks a very central part of their personality and ability to communicate. We also explore her time in Toastmasters, where she found a community focused on speaking about "something that mattered". Naomi recounts the absolute highlight of coaching Cyril Junior Dim, who became the international champion of public speaking, a collaboration that emphasized him being real and joining the audience rather than "stop trying to be good". Finally, she offers wisdom derived from her German book, Postkarte aus Bali, which contains her philosophy of life, providing timeless advice for speakers, singers, and everyone seeking to communicate authentically.

3 Key Takeaways from Naomi:

1. The Core Mandate for Communication: The ultimate parting thought for speakers, singers, and all human beings is: "Stop trying to be Good. Just be real". Being likable is crucial, and it means being normal and natural, allowing yourself to be seen by others.

2. The Speaker's Essential Trifecta: Naomi outlines the three most important priorities for speakers and singers: connection (connecting to the audience), empathy (understanding the audience and appreciating the effort it took them to be there), and likability (realizing that if you like somebody, that's the beginning of the relationship).

3. The Power of Inclusion in Song: Naomi believes that everybody on God's earth should be encouraged to sing, regardless of whether they get the notes right. Singing is a much more primeval form of communication than speaking. She finds the "greatest adventure" and "real gift of inclusiveness" in helping people who previously felt ostracized to join in.