On May 15, 2010 I drove to Sonoma State University to see Frank Warren, author, founder, and inventor of PostSecret (“an ongoing community art project where people mail their secrets anonymously [to Warren’s address] on one side of a postcard”). Warren has been deemed the “world’s friendliest stranger,” becoming the recipient of people’s most intimate confessions and secrets. In 2005, the blog began as an art project for Warren; he walked the streets of Baltimore (Maryland) and invited people to return blank postcards to his home address with their secrets. PostSecret has fostered a communication community for people who otherwise assumed they were in solitude.
While Frank Warren may not be “the best” speaker I’ve ever heard, I believe he was effective because he did three things (and darn well ;)): educated, agitated, and organized. Through his speaking time, he discussed the PostSecret history, mission, and vision. He inserted humor and his examples were authentic and tangible to the audience. For me, I experienced Warren to possess the ability to enmesh his participants and this created an opportunity to suspend “real time” and “be present” with focus solely on Warren and his message.
Here’s some links for anyone who hasn’t been exposed to PostSecret:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PostSecret/21977955239
John Whitemore’s first address as President of SJSU ranks high on my list of “worst speakers.” As a staff member and a “young professional,” I am looking for someone to ignite my passion for student affairs work; I want a speaker who I can refer to when I’m “in the trenches” and feel my work has no purpose. Sadly, I remember nothing of his message beyond his performance. I believe he lacked charisma; and I believe any leader of an organization must focus on commitment and “buy-in” from her/his team. In addition, he was monotone and expressionless making me feel his speech was disingenuous. I wasn’t purchasing a thing that day! ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment