{"id":4229,"date":"2016-01-18T12:59:57","date_gmt":"2016-01-18T19:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meetingone.eu\/eu-en\/?p=4229"},"modified":"2016-06-22T10:16:17","modified_gmt":"2016-06-22T16:16:17","slug":"martin-luther-king-jr-a-reflection-on-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meetingone.com\/eu-en\/blog\/martin-luther-king-jr-a-reflection-on-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Reflection on Preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MLK<\/a><\/h3>\n

\u00a0Between 1957 and 1968, King delivered over 2,500 speeches<\/a><\/span> across the nation, including the world-renowned \u201cI Have a Dream\u201d speech.\u00a0 Given on August 28th<\/sup> of 1963, King spoke to an estimated 250,000 people<\/a><\/span> who had earlier marched on Washington D.C.<\/h4>\n

This speech and King\u2019s general efforts to push for equal civil rights redefined this country \u2013 for the better. One thing I find incredible is how he handled himself so well in front of many different audiences.\u00a0 The thought of speaking to 250,000 people gives me a little vertigo<\/strong>. \u00a0Yet, the way he prepared often goes undiscussed. \u00a0How did he manage? \u00a0What were his preparations?<\/strong>\u00a0 I\u2019ve also wondered how his strategies may be broadly applicable in today\u2019s corporate world.<\/p>\n

King\u2019s Preparation<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

According to The Open Box\u2019s<\/a> Pastor Terrell<\/a><\/span>,\u201d King\u2019s approach was straight forward.\u00a0 He would outline, meticulously research, then write sermons over the course of several days. \u00a0Each sermon was crafted with clarity and precision, as he wanted to \u201cpaint simple pictures\u2026\u201d with strong subtexts through metonymies. \u00a0(Metonymy: the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant.\u00a0 King used metonymies like, the \u201ciron feet of oppression\u201d and the \u201cdark chambers of pessimism\u201d.)<\/p>\n

As for the actual delivery of his sermons, King made a point to never read directly from his manuscripts.\u00a0 Familiarity with each text allowed him the freedom to look around and build rapport through visual contact.\u00a0 Equally important, Maurice Watson, citing Richard Lischer, writes in \u201cThe Preaching of Martin Luther King, Jr.<\/a><\/span>\u201d that King incorporated \u201c\u2026intonation and rhythm\u2026to move the hearers\u2019 hearts and minds.\u201d\u00a0 It is quite evident why he was such a great rhetorician.<\/p>\n

Most of us will never be required to deliver speeches prompting social change in front of 250,000 people.\u00a0 Many of us won\u2019t even talk to more than a dozen people at any one time.\u00a0 Nevertheless, there\u2019s value in understanding King\u2019s preparation when considering how we get ready to present.<\/p>\n

Learning from King<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

After researching King\u2019s preparation habits, I was most struck by three things that our customers can learn from when delivering a virtual presentation.<\/p>\n