Lip Syncing: [lip singk-ing] An audience member’s (usually) futile attempt to transmit ideas or questions to the speaker by silently forming syllable shapes with the mouth.
If Public Speaking 101 focuses on bladder control and stuttering while speaking in front of a large group of people, then Public Speaking 102 is all about lip reading. Why? Because every audience member automatically assumes a presenter can walk, talk, chew gum, analyze, simplify, convey the key implications of complex data, motivate, inspire, perform engaging hand gestures, and still have brain space left to interpret the inaudible and exaggerated mouth gyrations that are their excuse for communication across a fifty yard distance with bright lights in your face.
If you’re not adept at lip reading, the inevitable break in your concentration and flow will draw so much attention to the lip syncer that they might as well use a megaphone. Some presenters keep one handy to belittle the offender, but this is risky for two reasons: one, they may be trying to tell you your zipper is down. Two, you’ll probably look like a tremendous jerk. Handing out personal white boards to audience members has a small following, but encourages premature Olympic-style scoring: how is France giving you a 6.2 when you aren’t past the opening slide? Don’t let it shake your confidence.
In the end, clandestine communications with individuals in the audience almost always end in embarrassment for somebody. Since you can’t stop them from trying, at least try to make sure someone other than yourself ends up humiliated.
The Takeaway: Lip syncers are like toddlers: if you ignore them long enough, they’ll stop. Of course, it helps to let everyone know up front that you’ll have time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers. Also, check all zippers and buttons before presenting anything.
