I will admit it: I am a big fan of certain reality television shows. And one of my very favorites used to be Jon and Kate Plus 8. I am of the opinion that neither should be making their divorce case on the talk show circuit. It doesn't make either look good. There is one expert who says there are lessons for those who give presentations on what not to do from watching Jon Gosselin.
Leadership coach Leslie Unger said first, public speakers need to prepare and practice their message.
"Whether you are speaking at a committee or board meeting, for a promotion or pleading your case, you need to prepare," she said.
Practice in front of a mirror if you are not able to have yourself videotaped. "If you can't tell your story with a straight face to yourself, you can't tell it to anyone else either," said Ms. Unger.
The second lesson is in the value of clarity. "We live in a sound bite world. Even if you think you will never be on TV, you still live in a world where people listen and process information in sound bites.
"Be sure that the sound bite you give, is the one you want to be remembered for-forever. One of the few times in the last five seasons of this show that Jon has actually talked with clarity, the overall message was still confusing.
"He said clearly on Larry King, that he wanted to cease participating in the show. The problem, everything about his life as we know it, screams for attention. What you say and what you do need to be consistent to be believed when you speak," Ms. Unger commented.
Finally, know when to stop talking. She declared, "Audiences are lazy. They are not bad people, just lazy. Audiences will not work hard at understanding what you are trying to say. So you as the speaker have to work hard, to identify the message, communicate the right message, and protect the message. Carve out your message with a sharp scalpel and sacrifice the remainder of the material, if you really want your audience to 'get it.' Carve out the message, and then stop talking, before you put your foot back in your mouth.
"Jon Gosselin is a walking embodiment of what not to do when you open your mouth. He even teaches us what not to do through body language and visibility."
Leslie Unger is the president of Electric Impulse Communications Inc., Akron, Ohio. For more information, visit
