The man who sold an arm-raise to an audience

Intrepid girl reporter attends a group session with motivational speaker and author Robin Sharma. The audience was sold out, our girl, uh-huh, not so much

Have you ever been in one of those situations where all you want to do is laugh, but you know it would be completely uncouth to do so? Well I found myself slap bang in the middle of a motivational speech earlier this week, and it certainly motivated me to do a whole lot of awkward face pulling.

Now, I have to admit. It’s quite possible that I have the most sensitive cringe-reflex in history. If the Olympics hosted such an event, I’d get a podium finish every time for my impressive flexing. But alas, it doesn’t. So, this talk was something of epic proportions. Hosted by the well-loved author, Robin Sharma (you may have heard of his book: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari), this speech had me hooked — but hooked in all the right and wrong ways.

It was the perfect platform for me to showcase my cringe credentials. Right from the outset, I knew this would transition into my weekly hot topic of discussion for anyone that would be willing to listen — and now I’m choosing you as my audience.

This speech had all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a motivational speaker, and it started with a loud, proud, Hollywood soundtrack introduction that lasted a good two minutes.

With large screens adorning Sharma’s face, video trails gave you a taste of what you were about to witness in the flesh — and the real McCoy did little to disappoint.

Gracing the stage in a black pant and shirt combo, Sharma got acquainted with the crowd by enthusiastically shouting: “How many people wanna learn how to be better leaders?”

He followed the question with a swift rising of his hand in the air, to which the majority of the audience mirrored the action.

Cue awkward face pulling number one (from me).

Then he continued: “How many people wanna learn to be better humans?” with the same arm action and audience participation as before.

Cue awkward face pulling number two (from me). “And how many people wanna have fun?” he echoed out.

Cue awkward face pulling number… anyway, you catch my drift.

Now, this intro was one that I loved and loathed. To his credit, he got the whole room talking, moving and laughing. And given the fact we were in the middle of a serious Government Summit, that was some feat. So kudos to him.

But again, going back to my own traits, I’m a chilled out, zen kinda person, so all this bouncy enthusiasm was hard to swallow. The back and forth motion between Sharma and the audience continued throughout the show… sorry, speech. And it started to make me feel a little sea sick.

Our bums were forced in and out of our chairs, we were encouraged to relay random statements to the stranger next to us, something to the effect of “…should I go to Hollywood.” (the opening to that line slipped my mind as I was awed at how willing this audience was).

As the 60-minute interaction continued, it was the constant and persuasive: “Do you guys agree, raise your hands,” that ultimately made a lasting impression on me.

The audience was like putty in Sharma’s hands within minutes of him entering the room. That was quite impressive.

But personally speaking, have audiences do an activity, make friends with strangers, or tweet answers to your questions that appear on a shiny hightech slide.

But the whole hand-raising (“agree with me, agree with me”) skit gets a big thumbs-down from me.

kelly@khaleejtimes.com