I recently received an email from a senior GSF member regarding apparently unethical and unprofessional behaviour from a professional CSP speaker based overseas. The email was to give a 'heads-up', so to speak, and let me (and no doubt many others) know of this speaker's run in with an event-organiser.
These days, especially with the internet and social media, news travels fast, and bad news travels faster. The speaking industry is relatively small and close-knit. It doesn't take much to ruin a reputation, and a career, from allegedly unethical behaviour.
Having the opportunity to discuss how you might respond to possible dilemmas during the Professional Development Series modules is a great way to test out where you might stand on an issue and what your response might be, without having to deal with a real, live incident. For example:
You are booked by a bureau for a keynote speech that goes really well. So well, in fact, that several audience members subsequently engage you to do some consulting work for them.
Would you pay the bureau a fee, or fees, for the consulting work?
or
You've agreed to speak at an international convention for no fee because being there could provide future bookings for you. The marketing materials have been sent out and around 80 people have already booked to hear you speak. Three weeks before the event you are approached to speak at another event on the same morning at your full fee.
Would you honour your original commitment or bail and take the fee-paying engagement?
Of course, each one of us will have our own views and opinions as to how we may deal with these types of scenarios, or other challenging situations that may arise.
The incident regarding the international speaker I mentioned above related to what was apparently an 'exclusive' booking turning out to be a double-booking with two different organisers, and yes, agreements had been signed for both.
As professional speakers we spend a fair amount of time focusing on what I call the 3 'S's of speaking: our 'Subject or Story' and our 'Stagecraft' and far less on the third S that will actually keep us in business - our 'Standards' or behaviour.
Clearly, our subject or story - what we speak about and are known for - is a major factor in being selected as a speaker. If we don't fit the programme from this perspective we probably won't be booked.
So too is our stagecraft. Audiences want to be entertained whilst they're being educated and up-skilled. Dealing with unexpected issues around AV or the venue or any other unexpected incident can often clearly demonstrate the difference between a professional speaker and an amateur, or expert who may speak occasionally.
However, the third 'S' underpinning both of these is our 'Standards' or behaviour. It's this 'S' that really provides to foundation for a long and successful speaking career. We can have the most compelling topic and best stagecraft, and be booked solely for those reasons. But if we demonstrate unethical or unprofessional behaviour towards our peers, our clients, our audiences and others, the chances of being booked again and again will diminish rapidly.
The internet has turned 'word-of-mouth' into 'word-of-mouse'. As a professional association it behoves us, and each of us as members, to act in ways that do not go against our code of ethics. Of course mistakes happen and we won't necessarily get it right 100% of the time, but being able to put your hand on your heart if challenged, and demonstrate how you believe you did act with integrity, is worth bearing in mind.
As philosopher Joseph Hall said, almost 200 years ago, "A reputation, once broken, may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep its eyes on the spot where the crack was".
An award-winning speaker, columnist and author, Hannah Samuel speaks, writes and mentors worldwide on issues around reputation, trust and integrity; and is the founder of online reputation service directory TRUSTcite. Find her online at http://hannahsamuel.com/
About Hannah Samuel
Hannah Samuel is a speaker, author and Reputation Champion! Her insights into reputation, trust and integrity are based on 20+ years in business development