Let’s get personal

Want to engage your audience right upfront? Try sharing a little piece of yourself.

That’s what I did last night as emcee of the Woman of Distinction Awards Reception-Dayton for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.

The event at Dayton’s Schuster Center celebrated the legacy of Girl Scouting by honoring six exceptional women in the Dayton region who are role models for girls:

Leesa A. Baker, YWCA Piqua
Cassie B. Barlow, Ph.D., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., Wittenberg University
Nodie Monroe Washington, Ph.D., Procter & Gamble
Heena Rathore, MBA, BioGreenChoice
Nancy A. Robie, MBA, Kettering Health Network

But before I had the privilege of introducing these extraordinary women, I first needed to establish a personal connection with members of the audience, who were being invited to listen and help us celebrate.

Most of the guests were current or former Girl Scouts. So here’s what I shared:

When Darlene asked me to assist with tonight’s event, I immediately dug into a drawer at home and found this – my Girl Scout sash.

I knew right where to find it.

It’s that important to me.

Because Girl Scouts was important to me – one of my first experiences in leadership.

Like many of you, I earned badges. I camped. And I sold cookies – lots and lots of cookies! – and delivered them in a little red wagon that I pulled up and down the street.

Along the way, I learned new skills. I pushed my limits. And I took on responsibility.

Years later, after I had three daughters, Girl Scouts emerged in my life once again.

Like many of you, I became a troop leader. And for six years, I helped lead Troop 81 in Dayton.

This time, I had the chance to guide girls as they earned badges. Help them as they planned every detail of our many camping trips. And orchestrate cookie sales to help girls learn responsibility, decision making and leadership.

And so tonight, this is why I share your excitement!

Together, all of us get the chance to recognize and honor six outstanding women leaders of today who are inspiring thousands of girls to discover who they can be: our leaders of tomorrow.

Tonight – by uplifting these six women – we lift up all girls.

And now let’s get started! Let’s meet this year’s honorees!

So if you’re set to speak anytime soon, why not get a little personal?

Consider sharing a piece of yourself – right upfront.

Think about what you can reveal to quickly establish that all-important rapport with your audience.