When I was growing up, a poser was an individual that wore skater clothing and skater shoes but could not skate to save their lives. The term has also been used in reference to certain individuals who purport to live the street life but might or have actually wet themselves in actual “street” circumstances. For today’s purposes, might I suggest a definition of the word “poser” as one who seems to understand the superficial presence of a lifestyle without personally possessing the capability to in any way back up that kind of lifestyle.
I promise you this: posing is entirely visible onstage.
Presentations expose our most vulnerable sides. Feeling vulnerable, at times we might feel inclined to cover this vulnerability with another persona–it starts small (like all lying does): just a story, just a claim here or there that makes the point a little better than our own life experience could. Then, a few presentations down the line, we suddenly find ourselves square dancing in Connecticut or gun-slinging in California trying to manage the audience’s perception in more and more bewildering ways.
It doesn’t have to come to such extremes for posing to significantly affect your results onstage. People notice; audiences are not dumb. Any presentation delivered is delivered for business; how do you expect a longterm relationship when you lie at the outset? Financial gain is quickly held in check by a client’s realization that you are not what you said you were. Aren’t you enough to merit success? What if you just spoke boldly and honestly–isn’t your experience sufficient to justify an honest presentation and honest opinion?
If you feel you are worth your salt, stop trying to be someone else onstage. Be yourself. They’ll love you more. I promise.
