Getting Seen and Getting Remembered

(Surface/Substance)

The “Back to Basics” Series

“Owning Your Moment in the Light is what Signature is all about.” — Jennifer StJohn
There’s so little to see in the public media. So much duplication, repetition. So much descent to the depths of bad taste and “Pop Culture.” Endless dreck — dressed up in different colors.

Then, just when you’ve given up, someone literally pops up and forces you to pay attention — which is another way of saying that they are so unique, so much themselves that you can’t stop watching, attending, enjoying and passing along what they accomplished — for themselves, for their work, for their colleagues and their institution…

This is the single reason for consideration by a speaker of that slippery area of public speaking: the “Personal Signature.”

Unfortunately, lofty intentions and big — even great — ideas alone aren’t enough to compel people to pay attention. We are so maxed-out with input on all channels that our spouses, children and colleagues have trouble getting our attention for mere seconds at a time. Even then, we often grumble at the interruption… It is indeed a new day.

But still… something that’s good, genuine and interesting is so rare that we search for it all day long. In our e-mail, our business interaction, our lives — there’s a lot of sameness out there. A little entertainment can go a long way to satisfying our thirst for the new, the pleasurable, the worthwhile.

Of course, once we’re paying attention and notice something out of the ordinary, our suspicions kick in almost instantly — and we start weighing and measuring to see if it’s really good, beautiful or genuinely true. (It may be mere seconds before we click to discover the album, the film or the book…) But that’s the beauty of an honest personal signature. First, it sets everyone on edge — that’s the risk. But once they decide to trust you, they can take you to heart. It can be a blessing — or a curse. Depends on whether you’re trust worthy.

Here’s an example: Grammy Winner, Angelique Kidjo. A singer of uncommon skill and grace. With an unerring sense of what will play, she took her shot at the Grammy Awards early session (not televised…) and used her time magnificently! We may never again see anyone use their 60 seconds to such great advantage. (See Dessert, below…)

And now that the clock is ticking… (How long before you dump and click to search and catch her act?). The challenge is what happens after she gets your attention…

And what happens to your new idea after the guys upstairs see you on stage for the big presentation?

Personal Signature: It’ll get you seen! Because it’s a dramatic Surface…But getting remembered… that’s about Substance.

Applications

1. For You
There are a million ways to stand out and be seen: Great Visual Aids (Pictures) not text! Changing the room. Re-doing the seating. Music. Props. An unusual tone of voice. A better appearance. The choices are legion — and best used gently so as not to become clown-like. Then make sure, you’ve put your new Surface in service to great Substance!

2. At Home
Many people make a fetish of not being noticed, of passing through the group unrecognized. And it’s a strategy — if everything’s fine. On the other hand, if there’s a change in order, someone has to stand up and point that out. That’s where a touch of uniqueness is in order. So coach the family to add some spice to the science project, speak up in the history class, wear a tie to church if you want to address a change in the program. If you’re going to the Democratic club and have something to say, bring a picture, a book or take the time to structure your remarks for maximum notice. It’s the surface/substance combo that makes people take notice, then take action.

3. At Work
Reality: You’ve got to be noticed before you can be followed. Work tends to fall into the routine of habit and schedule — which taken too far, can become deadly to excitement, creativity and productivity. The components of Signature can provide a “Respite from Routine” and make the workplace more inviting, but also make you the “famous one” who figured it out.

Getting Seen is a “Surface Thing.” Getting Remembered (and Respected…) is all about Substance. The combination though, is unbeatable!

Dessert
Angelique Kidjo: Rocking the Grammy’s

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