Reading the Room is a vital skill for all public speakers. It’s more than establishing eye-connection…so much more. When a public speaker reads the room, he/she is trying to understand the perspective of the listener, which will ultimately drive success!
Additionally, striving to read the room, leads to potential collaboration by finding common ground. It gives the presenter deeper insights, which allows the presenter to make necessary adjustments. In so doing, the presenter can tailor the message to the audience and their needs. This leads to increased productivity and engagement.
Often, what’s not being said is far more important than what is being said. This is where doing your homework, so you know the “history” of the group, is quite important. A presenter may need to cut remarks short, or add on, depending on what is learned. What a listener feels may not be what you hear. Take the time to observe, adjust, and ask questions.
Being able to effectively read the room requires practice and patience. It can be done and so much can be learned. Reading the room is a good starting point and may take you in directions you hadn’t planned. My recommendation is to make reading the room a priority