Time is the most valuable resource we have. Next level communicators understand this, and leverage time to their advantage.

I was once asked to speak at a Presbyterian church. I don’t know how much you know about these kinds of churches, but Presbyterian’s can be pretty buttoned up when it comes to time. So right before the eleven o’clock service, I asked the pastor how much time did I have for the sermon? He grinned and said, “Oh dear brother, time means nothing here. You speak as long as you like. I want you to feel completely unrestrained. Be you. Be free. But the people leave at noon.” While we shared a good laugh, I could tell there was a kernel of truth to be gleaned from his words. 

Not long after the humor died down, I stood up to speak, and things went really well. I’ve been invited back several times, where people have greeted me afterwards with kind whispers of, “You’re my favorite guest speaker.” What’s my secret? I’m determined to speak shorter than what they are used to. That’s it. 

The challenge of guest speakers

Most guest speakers don’t realize that when they stand up to address an audience who are used to one primary communicator, they are being met with smiling faces, and disappointed hearts. Which means before you say a single word, you as a guest speaker or a fill in staff pastor, are working from a deficit. Want to close the gap quickly, and move people from disappointed to excited? End your talk earlier than what the people are accustomed to. I know you don’t like what I’m saying, especially if you are a preacher, because preachers love to blame everything on the Lord and the Holy Spirit, especially when it comes to why they spoke so long. But sometimes I think God shrugs his shoulders and says, “That was all you bro. All. You.” 

Over the years I have found the following cheat codes helpful for leveraging time:

1. Ask the question. Always ask how long you have to speak? I don’t care how good you get as a communicator, ask this question, because it first expresses honor and value to your hosts. But the other reason you ask this question is because you understand the audience you are about to address has a certain listening threshold. It’s sort of like a physical trainer working out with a client for the first time. They are going to ask this client a lot of questions, many of them centered around workout history. Why? Because they need to know how hard to push, what their threshold is? And in the same way a physical trainer would never workout a novice and a college athlete the same, so next level communicators get that audiences are different, with different thresholds, and they use the question of time as a great cheat code setting them up for success.

2. Give them some change back. What this means is if the answer to your question is they are used to listening for 35 minutes, make up your mind to speak for 25-30 minutes. This is especially true for staff speakers, interns, and new communicators in general. I know it's flattering to hear people tell you how great you are, but remember they are always leaving out the most important part: “...for a new speaker”. It’s always better leaving people wanting more, instead of people wishing you were done.

3. Remember, less is more. Speaking in a shorter amount of time for what the gathering is used to is not only good for them, it’s actually good for you and your growth as a communicator. Cutting down a presentation by ten to twenty percent, is like taking a ten to twenty percent reduction in pay- it forces the person to be way more economical with their words, which is a good thing. Less really is more. 

What I’m reading:

Olaudah Equiano: The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings

Find out about my new, forthcoming book, here (Filled with illustrations you should find    helpful as a speaker). 

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