Hosts, Toasts, and Roasts: How to Handle Spontaneous Talks With Seven Simple Steps

By Cyndi Maxey and Kevin E. O’Connor

“And now a few words from….” As a leader, you represent lots of people all the time—and you are going to be called on to “say a few words.” It is natural for you to be a frequent and integral part of peoples’ achievements, milestones, and gatherings. For these spontaneous speaking opportunities, your first priority is to make the other person look great. A little known second opportunity is to look very good yourself. This is what the audience wants. This contributes to their experience. So consider these pointers to help you manage the next spontaneous opportunity you have at the microphone.
1. Always assume you will be asked. Every time you attend a function, be prepared to be up front with a microphone at a moment’s notice. How should you do this? Think about the event; what do you know in advance about the key players and the program? Keep your eyes and ears open. When the honoree is being spoken about at your table, listen carefully.

2. Plan in three’s. “When I think of Joe, I am remembering three things throughout his career…” or “Susan has brought a wealth of skill and ability to us; in fact, there are three areas in which she shines that tie into her talk today….” Think about an experience you had with this person, a metaphor, a funny quote, or even an adjective that best summarizes him or her. This is your anchor for the rest of all you will say. People easily remember three things.

3. Take the stage. No matter how ill prepared you feel, fake it! Perhaps another way is to act “as if” you are prepared. Act “as if” and you will look “as if”! Look out before you look down at any notes. Smile and scope out the audience. Then look at the person you’re honoring. Only then, begin. These critical few silent moments pack a punch because they are the mark of professionals. They make you look really, really good.

4. Don’t over-talk. Just say enough. Remember, this is not about you; it is about the other person. Keep it simple and avoid “um’s” or “and…um’s” because they are quite noticeable in a short introduction or toast.

5. Use humor. People expect this type of talk to be funny at some point. Everyone has something funny to relate to; for example, “When I first met Stan and Sue, I thought they were about as opposite as you could possibly get. Then I realized, of course, that was their plan.” Another idea is to pick something that is a bit extreme about them—something opposite, outgoing, or outsider—and emphasize that. Let your imagination go.

6. Cheerlead. You are the energy that ignites what will happen next. Like any good warm-up act, you rev up the crowd so they are excited about what happens next, whether it is a speech, the next toast, the dinner, a huge laughing spree, or even a surprise. Smile, look specific audience members in the eye, lean over the podium, and gesture enthusiastically so that you become, for a few moments, the show!

7. Have one line you always use. Everyone has one short lesson in life that they have learned —something a parent taught them, a philosophy learned from a pet, or a childhood experience. Keep that great one-liner in the back of your mind at all times to pull out and adapt. For example, “My Labrador retriever teaches me that life is about three things only, and these same three things are all about Joan too. What three things? Food, fun, and safety. I think when you hear what Joan has to say, you’ll see that she is concerned our nourishment, our camaraderie, and our comfort….” The point is to have a “something” that always works.
The point to all of this is that you can always be ready to be “spontaneous”!