“You killed my father, prepare to die.”

“You killed my father, prepare to die.” Remember that line from the movie The Princess Bride? Mandy Patinkin was the actor. He is also an accomplished singer as well.

On The David Letterman Show one night, he was publicizing his latest album. Letterman said words to the effect that he knew this was an unusual request, but “would you sing this one?” and pointed to the back of the album cover. Mandy seemed surprised, as did the band. And then they did a drop-dead rendition of “Over the Rainbow” seemingly off the cuff.

Now, few things—very few things—on late night TV are spontaneous and unrehearsed, and I have no inner knowledge of this event. But it kept my interest. The persistent “what is going to happen?” thoughts in my head and the resulting song in a near-perfect “spontaneous” performance…

Moments like this, a do-or-die Masters golf shot, a rocket launch, your child’s first steps, a new Key Opinion Leader (!), are all moments of some anticipation if not suspense.

You can use this technique yourself. It is less of a technique and more of an awareness of the anticipation of the other.

In my next post, I’ll share a striking real-life example—and how you can channel this principle to engage the toughest audiences.