Work the Crowd: Read the Room Like a Comedian to Improve Audience Engagement, with Lisa Lampanelli, ComedianConnecting with an audience, as any comic knows, means reading that audience. It’s energetic improv in real time—you need to notice who’s engaged, what’s engaging them, and build on that. It’s no different in a presentation, job interview, or staff meeting. Working the crowd is a powerful way of getting everybody on board.See who’s gameEye Contact: Scan the audience for people with a lively gaze.Serve and Return: Share an anecdote and invite lively onlookers to do the same.Body Language: Look for “open” stances. Play it safe by staying away from people with folded arms.Get the group to work harderHuman Connection: Share your own story first and link it to the work of the group.Training and Test Runs: Join a community of practice to see whether your material resonates. (Ex: Toastmasters International)