As a professional speaker and coach, I've always been fascinated by the art of persuasion and influence. And over the years, I've had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. One of those people is my dear friend and magician, R Paul Wilson. He introduced me to the work of the legendary Spanish magician, Juan Tamariz, and sent me a copy of Juan's book "The Seven Veils."
Reading "The Seven Veils" was a transformative experience for me. Juan's approach to magic is all about using the principles of deception and misdirection to create powerful and memorable experiences for the audience. And as I read through the book, I couldn't help but see the parallels between Juan's work as a magician and the work of a public speaker.
Just like a magician, a public speaker needs to be able to capture and hold the attention of their audience. They need to be able to create a sense of intrigue and wonder that keeps the audience engaged and wanting more. And they need to be able to use the principles of deception and misdirection to guide the audience's attention and create a sense of surprise and delight.
One of the key takeaways from "The Seven Veils" for me was the importance of using misdirection in public speaking. Juan explains that misdirection is the art of directing the audience's attention to one thing while something else is happening. This can be a powerful tool for a public speaker, as it allows you to guide the audience's attention and create a sense of surprise and delight.
For example, a speaker might use misdirection by starting a presentation with a seemingly unrelated story or anecdote. This can capture the audience's attention and create a sense of intrigue, while also setting up the main point of the presentation in a subtle and unobtrusive way.
Another important takeaway from "The Seven Veils" is the importance of using deception in public speaking. Juan explains that deception is the art of making the audience believe something that is not true. This can be a powerful tool for a public speaker, as it allows you to create a sense of tension and drama that keeps the audience engaged.
For example, a speaker might use deception by creating a sense of urgency or scarcity around a product or idea. This can create a sense of tension and drama that keeps the audience engaged and wanting more.
Ultimately, the lessons from "The Seven Veils" are not just applicable to magicians, but to anyone who wants to be a great communicator and public speaker. By understanding the principles of deception and misdirection, speakers can create powerful and memorable experiences for their audiences, and leave a lasting impression.
In conclusion, as a speaker or a professional, understanding the principles of deception and misdirection can be a powerful tool to engage and connect with the audience. By reading Juan Tamariz's "The Seven Veils", it helped me to understand the art of creating a sense of intrigue, wonder, and surprise that keeps the audience engaged and wanting more.
Mark Westbrook
Speaking Coach
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