Shy Speakers Need This One Easy Trick!
- Victoria Hogg
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Oh, hi there, everyone.
Are you shy? Do you feel shy when it’s time to speak up?
When you’re a bashful person and it’s your turn to present (or simply speak up in a group), shyness can attack - and the reactions are tough. Your listeners drift off; they might even look at you with pity.
This is really common. When a speaker is outgoing or a bit of a show-off, an audience feels like they’re watching an entertaining show. When a shy person is up there, it can be a bit… eggy.
Shy people, mind you, have their own special magic spell - which, when they lean into, can have them rule the room. It’s called The Lover.
The what, now? Well, IMPROV Inc. Talk TACTICs sessions cover four principle speaker archetypes: Sage, Warrior, Lover and Kidder. These sit in the Authenticity pillar of the Talk TACTICs system.
This tried-and-tested SWaLK quadrant is a game-changer for speakers and all the archetypes are important, of course.
But the one ‘speaker archetype’ we see shy people smashing every time is the Lover.
Why the Lover? Because it’s a beautifully authentic way to connect with people. While exuberant speakers need to work on their ‘Lover’ delivery not to seem creepy or crass, shy people will come across as open and sincere. Sweet, even. Persuasive.
Add a powerful, meaningful speech and the result is charisma catnip. As we often say:
”It’s not just about you: your audience wants to be seen and heard - you must stir a feeling in the listener”
Specifically, the Lover archetype can resonate with the audience’s need to feel centred and appreciated. The Lover will help you help them stand in their shoes.
Come along to our Friday Breakfast to discuss! We’ll run the activity with you to make the point come alive.
All the best,
Vic n Paul
If you have a work problem to fix and you want to hear how applied improvisation can support you, email us at hello@improvinc.co.uk. We’d love to meet you! First calls are free.
TRY IT OUT!: 🎯 Your weekly improv-infused activity for ongoing success Part-Time Lover
Purpose: The Stevie Wonder classic song aside, this Part-Time Lover gives a clear view on how to deliver the Lover Archetype from the IMPROV Inc. SWaLK quadrant.
Outcome: You’ll know how to access this speaker type and when to use it.
Set‑up: Find yourself a partner as audience, or give it a go in the mirror.
How it Works: Pick a topic: as work-a-day as you like (how to put on a wash; how your local bus service runs), and find a person to deliver your speech to. After 15 seconds of speaking, go into ‘Lover’ mode. Speak with that archetype for 20 seconds, then go back to neutral. Try this seesaw another three or four times to feel the difference.
Reflections: How did your ‘audience’ react? When could you use this effectively?
Guidelines for Players: Find The Unlikely Lover activity as a downloadable pdf on our activities page.
🎉 Join us every Friday on Zoom 🥐 The IMPROV Breakfast 🥐 10:00am UK time. Registration must take place at least three hours before start time. At Breakfast we discuss the Tuesday Newsletter and how applied improvisation can support your journey to success.
