CAR TALK
PURPOSE
To a) get everyone speaking, and b) demonstrate the difference between a conversation and a presentation.
OVERVIEW
Participants sit side by side (car-style) and take turns delivering an impromptu 1-minute speech. They repeat the speech, this time standing (lecture-style), then reflect on the differences between Rounds 1 & 2.
Car Talk
(To start, ask people to sit next to a partner, like they’re sitting in a car. Clarify who is the Driver and the Passenger.)
All right, Passengers, in a moment, you’re going to take 60 seconds to tell your partner about someone with whom you have the best conversations. Ready, here we go.
(. . . One minute later.)
Now Drivers, same thing: tell your partner about someone with whom you have the best conversations. Only let’s say you’re in a self-driving car, okay? So you don’t have to drive. Ready? Here we go.
(. . . One minute later.)
Okay, Take 2. So Passengers, same words again, more or less, only this time, (demonstrating) after a sentence or two, you’ll stand, take three or four steps away, then turn and face your partner, continuing to talk the whole time.”
(. . . One minute later, repeat Take 2 for Drivers.
Demo This
1. We use Car Talk to help people feel the difference between a conversation and a presentation. Now we’re going to take a moment to reflect on that shift.
Okay, thinking back to when you were a Speaker, standing in front of your partner: what’s one thing you noticed in your body?
(Pause for reflection time.)
And one thing you noticed in your mind?
(Pause.)
All right, go ahead and share those with your partner -- something you noticed in your body, and something in your mind.
2. Okay, now thinking back to when you were a Listener, watching the speaker in front of you. What was something the speaker did -- physically -- that drew you in?
(Pause.)
And what was something the speaker did vocally that drew you in?
(Pause.)
All right, go ahead and share those two things with your partner -- something the speaker did physically, and something vocally, that drew you in.
TIP
Try to leave just enough time for participants to reflect or respond. This can be tough!
For Coach Training Only:
Now for coaches, we have one additional question. And this one you won’t share: Was there something the speaker did -- or didn’t do -- that distracted you?
(Pause.)
Obviously, as coaches that’s something we’ll want to be aware of . . .