Immediacy

When we set a clear intention for a talk, we infuse our words with purpose and clarity. Another technique that theater folks love to help crystalize our focus is immediacy: why is this topic vital right now, in this exact moment? Why can’t this wait one more second? In public speaking, immediacy can transform our message from being simply engaging to being utterly captivating. Immediacy brings a sense of vitality to the moment. Immediacy is what draws in an audience, what makes them lean forward and stay present. It’s a spark, an urgency that says, “This is important, and it’s important right now.”

Whenever we speak in public we ask ourselves:

• Why now?

• Why am I speaking about this exact subject at this exact moment?

• What does the audience need right now?

Think of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be.” Without the urgency of his need to make a decision immediately, his words might come across as self-indulgent, wallowing, waffling. Infused with immediacy, his words are pivotal—he engages us in his decision-making process so that we, too, are figuring it out with him. Right now. It has to happen right now so he can take action.

Immediacy doesn’t mean we need to rush through our words or ramp up intensity; this urgency does not mean it’s time to panic or push or scream! No, immediacy can even slow us down to savor, to carefully measure the impact, to let each thought fully land.

Immediacy allows us to be fully present with our audience, focused on why this message matters right now. And that presence—that unguarded connection—is where true communication lives.

So, next time we step up to speak, ask ourselves: Why now? Why am I speaking about this very subject to this particular audience right now?