Public Speaking Audience Struggles? Try This Aikido Technique

This morning I saw an article by Nick Morgan onpower struggle. If you pull away from their
on how to use judo technique to win anegative energy instead of diffusing it, the
negotiation. Funny he mentioned judo, because Inegativity will become stronger. The relationship
just had a conversation with someone whobetween you and your audience or that one
suggested I teach aikido techniques to publicparticular audience member will become a tug-of-
speakers, since I think about aikido constantlywar. That serves no one. You don't deliver your
anyway.message, and your audience doesn't receive it.
In any case, the judo technique Nick MorganYou've got to get them back into a receptive
described was one that the aikido world calls irimi.mode.
When you and an opponent are facing off againstInstead, get closer. Move in with neutral energy.
one another, an irimi is a side step in to standLook at things from their perspective.
next to your opponent, ever so slightly behindAcknowledge their point of view. If you need to
them, and face the same direction as they are.verbally redirect them to quiet down or bring their
The first thing this movement does is diminishattention back to you, do so without aggression.
tension. It also positions you to take control ofPretend you're Ben Kingsley playing "Gandhi." Be
your opponent's center. When you then executelike water, not stone.
a technique, you control the entire physicalAs soon as you have their attention, so take
interaction. They have to move in the directionthem where you want them to go, decisively, and
you wish to take them, wherever that may be.without hesitation. In other words, move to the
So, let's translate this into facing a difficultnext point in your presentation immediately.
audience. If you've read my free report, one ofRemember:
the tips I give about handling a difficult audience is1) Don't take it personally.
using proximity or in other words, doing an irimi2) Don't respond with anger.
technique.3) Never humiliate anyone.
The key to taking control and continuing to lead4) Embrace their perspective, then redirect
your group is not to pull away with fear when a istoward your presentation.
a problem occurs or dive into a confrontational