THE PEAK AND THE END

Psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Barbara Fredrickson studied how people remember experiences.

Their research revealed something simple and powerful: we don’t remember everything. We remember two parts – the peak and the end.

This is known as the peak-end rule.

It matters in public speaking.

You already know the importance of a strong conclusion.

But your audience also needs a moment during your talk that stands out – a peak.

It’s a moment that might surprise or delight your audience. But most of all, it sticks.

My client, Dan Perry, once shared a story about Syrian citizens using ping-pong balls to spread pro-democracy messages.

As he told the story, he threw actual ping-pong balls across the floor.

That was the moment.

So for your next presentation, ask yourself: What’s the moment they’ll tell someone about afterwards?

Design it on purpose.