Where to take your audience

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

I still remember my answers to that aspirational question.

Once I’d moved on from the dream of being a vet, it was the profession of tour guide that beckoned me.

Our family had been on a couple of package holidays to “the continent”, as British people used to call mainland Europe (and probably still do). I was fascinated by these exotic places.

Places that looked, felt, smelt and sounded so different from home. And where the weather was always better.

I remember watching one friendly tour guide in Paris shepherding our group from one point to another. She knew the city like the back of her hand. “How glamorous!” I thought.

She gave us ideas for restaurants, landmarks or neighbourhoods off the beaten tourist track. We ended up in parts of Paris where I was wide-eyed with wonder.

As inexperienced travellers, we felt reassured knowing she was there to guide us on our journey of discovery. And I certainly felt transformed by the experience.

It’s maybe no coincidence that the work I do today involves taking people on a journey. Helping them, through coaching sessions or workshops, to explore new communications terrain.

With exciting milestones along the way. And a surprising destination.

So they can become an inspirational guide for their audience. And lead them to a better place.

In the end, my childhood aspiration wasn’t so far from the truth ;) 

If you’d like to become an expert tour guide too, whatever your speaking task, just give me a shout.

You can get in touch via the Connect page here. If you’d like more reflections on connecting through our communications, you can also sign up for my monthly newsletter, Own Your Voice.

I’ll show you how to shift from informing - to inspiring your audience. And once we’ve worked together, you’ll realise what an enjoyable, enriching profession it is ;)

Photo by Nil Castellví on Unsplash