Flashes of the Obvious – The Speaker’s Secret Weapon
- Fred Miller
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Some of the best advice in public speaking isn’t new, trendy, or complicated—it’s obvious. Painfully obvious. But it’s the kind of “obvious” that people forget to do.
I call these “Flashes of the Obvious.” They’re simple things that make a big difference—and when you do or say them, audiences respond like they’ve just been hit with a bolt of lightning made of common sense.
Here are a few “Flashes of the Obvious."
Make the screen go black so your audience looks at you.
You want them to do this because non-verbal communication surpasses verbal communication. Your audience believes what they see.
Raise your hand when you want others to raise theirs.
This gesture encourages audience involvement. It shifts the dynamic from lecture to conversation.
Ditch the lectern.
It forms a physical and emotional barrier between you and your audience.
In your opening, tell people how you’ll handle questions.
Being interrupted with questions during a talk can cause havoc.
Close your presentation after your Q&A.
The Law of Primacy and Recency.
The last thing you say and do will be the first thing the audience remembers.
Use powerful, high quality, universally understood images, not bullet-point lists or lots of text.
No one comes to read your presentation.
Smile when you begin. It changes the energy in the room—and in you.
I call a smile a 'non-physical hug,' When you give one, you get one right back.
Learn to P-A-U-S-E.
Pausing shows 'confidence in your competence.'
It also gives the audience time to absorb your message.
These aren’t hacks. They’re reminders. And when used with intention, they elevate your presence, boost your credibility, and help you connect faster.
The truth is: Obvious doesn’t mean unimportant. It means essential. And essentials, done consistently, are what separate forgettable speakers from memorable ones.
So the next time you prepare for a presentation, don’t chase perfection. Don’t hunt for “the next big thing.” Instead, ask:
Am I doing the obvious things—the ones that actually work?
You’ll be shocked how far that gets you.
Want more “Flashes of the Obvious?" I’ve collected dozens. Check out:👉 https://www.nosweatpublicspeaking.com Incorporate “Flashes of the Obvious" into your presentations and I guarantee they will be absolutely, positively - No Sweat!
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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”
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