June 9, 2009Speak Strong: Hype-fatigue in sobering times
Last October, my investment agent showed me a chart to illustrate long-term gains in the stock market. He had picked his data to make the results as impressive as possible by starting late October 1987 and ending at the high point in 2008. His presentation wasn’t false – but it was misleading. He never said, but did imply that the best scenario results based on 20-20 hindsight were standard results that I would be likely to achieve over time. I told him the market was too volatile at the moment for me to invest. That decision proved wise.
The speaking industry is replete with hype, like the email I received yesterday that started with, “What would it be worth to you to transform your business into an enterprise that makes millions while making a difference?” Note the question never states but does imply that their service will be that lucrative. The service is valuable, but the promise seems inflated to me.
Yes, hype still works, but the times are sobering us. Authenticity is a becoming very hot theme. Some of us are looking for more realistic promises and believable results.
Last week I wrote of my own struggle with gobbledygook in my short career in government service, and contrasted a Buzzword Generator with a PowerPhrase Generator. My recent book SpeakStrong is all about removing the hype and embracing the power of an authentic message.
Hype isn’t just damaging because it creates false hope and expectations. It’s also damaging because it suggests reality isn’t good enough. Hype sobriety says reality is enough. I hope SpeakStrong helps you get verbally sober and helps you cut through the hype that bombards you.
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