{"id":6618,"date":"2026-10-31T23:50:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T03:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/?p=6618"},"modified":"2026-11-03T18:30:57","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T17:30:57","slug":"if-your-goal-is-a-standing-ovation-youre-missing-the-point","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/31\/if-your-goal-is-a-standing-ovation-youre-missing-the-point\/","title":{"rendered":"If Your Goal Is A Standing Ovation, You’re Missing The Point"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The first time it was given, I stood there awkwardly, smiling and nodding. I wasn’t prepared to handle an unexpected standing ovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was at the end of a communication session I’d facilitated for MBA students at the FT-ranked Lagos Business School. I can’t remember the MBA cohort or the year, but I remember how surreal it was \u2014 and how validated I felt that my insights were appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then as the years went by, I learned to accept them with more grace and gratitude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I also recognised the danger: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The standing ovations could become the ONLY yardstick for measuring the usefulness of my speaking or training programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, on the one hand, the quest for them would guide me to sharpen my material and delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, even though a standing ovation would be a sign that my delivery was memorable, what would happen when I wasn\u2019t ‘rewarded’ with one? Would my content be any less valuable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I began to assess my performance as facilitator, trainer and speaker in different contexts, some of which I received no standing ovations, I realised one liberating truth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A standing ovation is nice. But impact lingers and transforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once I came to terms with the fact that out of every 10 speaking or training stints I deliver, I might receive only four or five standing ovations, I started to focus on transformation instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may be preparing for an important speech, presentation, or other context where your verbal communication needs to influence people. But if you believe standing ovations are the ultimate markers of success, remember the two declarations below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1) Your validation comes from the impact you make, not what you ‘win’<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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And this point is not only what I’ve realised about my speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, for seven years, I’ve had the honour of leading the judging panel for the Mini-Keynote Competition at Lagos Business School. I proposed the competition and helped launch its maiden edition in 2019. Every year since its inception, I\u2019ve also coached the speakers before they take the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with all competitions, not everyone wins. But when those who didn’t win shared what they learned from the experience, and even how the audience responded to them, it became clear what was truly important:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sway of their speaking<\/a> and how their delivery inspired the audience to think differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the speakers in this year’s competition was kind enough to email me her experience. Hers was one of the keynotes I enjoyed, although she wasn’t among the top three winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Screenshot 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note that the proof of successful speaking is the impact it makes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lesson for you:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When preparing for your next important speech, presentation, board brief, or keynote, don’t prepare for the applause or standing ovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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