Make A Retirement Speech To Be Proud Of
Anyone can make a retirement speech to be proud of, all it takes is a little effort and good preparation.
Follow these 10 simple tips so you can make a retirement speech to be proud of.
In the panic and stress of all the other preparation the obvious things to do can be overlooked. This is a shame because sometimes is the obvious things that make all the difference
- Don’t naturally assume that the retiree is excited about leaving. In some cases they may not have met the official retirement age but be forced to retire due to ill health or company changes. If you start the speech saying how lucky they are to be leaving you may upset them even more.
- Whatever their reason it is likely they may be experiencing some anxiety and concerns about their future, respect this, don’t make fun of it. So jokes about what they will do for money, or how they will spend their days might only increase their anxiousness.
- The last day of work, especially due to retirement, is a special day for the person leaving. Your presentation should highlight this.You can achieve this by choosing topics that will make them feel appreciated, important and missed.
- You may want to and probably should, include some factual information. Ensure what you say is correct, don’t say they have worked for 35 years when in fact it was 36 the one year might not seem a big deal to you but it will certainly be for the retiree. Usually a quick call to the human resource department is all that is needed to check accuracy.
- Start early on your speech preparation. If you’ve done your research, found some great speech topics and organized your speech in a logical ordered you will feel much more confident and less anxious. A well prepared speech requires some thorough preparation which is easier to do if you have plenty of time, rather than leaving it to the last minute.
- Think about the style and tone of your public speaking presentation. Will it be formal or casual? Who will be attending? It is important to know who is in the audience so you can adjust your content and vocabulary to suit. After all you don’t want talk about how flirtatious the retiree is, if they have a significant other. Learn more about understanding your audience in my newsletter, The Powerful Speaker.
- Likewise, think carefully before including some retirement roast jokes, maybe a favorite quote or saying of their may be more suitable. Keep in mind this is a momentous day and they are likely to have special friends and family present. This may lead them to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable over jokes that normally wouldn’t bother them. If you have any doubts leave it out.
- Whether you tell jokes, or include quotes make sure you leave enough time for your own words. Your own words add more credibility and sincerity to your presentation. A retirement speech delivered with sincerity will be appreciated by the retiree much more than hollow praise. Those listening will also respect you for your honesty. Even if you have difficulty finding positive honest things to say, persevere. You will probably find you can add some light humor to even the most negative of traits.
- Will you be presenting the retirement gift in your presentation? Ensure it is readily available or that you have previously arranged for someone to collect it when you give the nod. Know in advance what the gift actually is so you can speak honestly when you present it.
- Finally when you make a retirement speech be sure to conclude it with a parting toast that’s upbeat and cheerful.
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