![Do not be a two faced communicator]()
The Emotional and Short Sighted Lawyer
I just watched a very good lawyer deliver a persuasive and memorable closing argument. You could tell by watching the jury that they were moved by what he had to say. I only caught the last part of the trial but it looked like he had brought the case home for his client.
I left the courtroom and took a seat outside the hallway. Shortly thereafter, jurors began to exit the courtroom for their lunch break. Some walked past me and others took a seat on one of the many benches that lined the courthouse hallway.
The brilliant attorney who I watched eventually exited the courtroom and as he walked by with his client, I could hear him dropping the “F Bomb” in almost every other word. So could the jurors who were sitting next to me. His client was laughing. It wasn’t professional and it wasn’t smart.
What I heard totally changed how I felt about him. Same for his client. By the time the elevator doors closed, I thought both he and his client were a couple of assholes. The chances are good that the jurors sitting by me shared similar feelings. I read in the paper that the jury came back with a verdict a few days later against this lawyer and his client. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them chatted about what they heard during deliberations.
The Self Absorbed Author and Professional Speaker
Some time ago I attended an afternoon event and listened to an extremely well known author and speaker deliver his presentation. He rocked the stage talking about success in business and life.
I always enjoy watching the reactions of others at these events and everyone in the audience was pumped with confidence and enthusiasm. This speaker’s message had hit home and the audience absorbed every single word like a big sponge soaking up a puddle of water.
But here’s the thing. After the event I watched this person’s demeanor change from Superman to a tiny mouse. He scampered back and forth across the stage grabbing his laptop and then scurried out of the room avoiding eye contact with others. I watched him leave the conference facility walking in a hurried pace and in a sheepishly fashion avoiding others. The body language he displayed just wasn’t congruent with his message. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I left that afternoon feeling a bit different about this person.
Here’s the Lesson…
I don’t think either of these professionals intended to act the way they did. They just weren’t thinking. But as a result, they came across as a bit two faced.
When communicating your message in court, from a stage, or in front of a small group of people, remember that when the spotlight is turned off, people are still watching. What you do and how you act after your presentation can be just as important, if not more important, than what you said to a jury of 12 or audience of 1,500 people.