Speak the Language of Leadership

Tell them, Tell them, Tell them.
A savvy public speaker once shared his formula for effective communication with me.  He said, “Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them you told them.”  In other words: 

• Preview the message: 

Summarize what you have to say and why it is important.

• Present the message: 

Give the body or details of your message.

• Recap the message: 

Briefly repeat your message and restate its importance.

Repetition is critical to effective communication because, even though we have two ears, we still miss a lot.  Leaders understand, as James Hummes has said, “The art of communication is the language of leadership."  Remember to preview, present and recap your message.

How to Get Your Message Across

Begin Strongly and End with Emotion. 
When you communicate, jump in with both feet with your first words.  It’s o.k. to appear totally sold-out to your message. Enthusiasm demands attention. Don’t worry if you appear a little fanatical.  Remember, a fanatic is only someone who believes in something a little more strongly than you do.  The reason people respond to such passion is because much of life is so predictable and mundane. Make them feel alive!  Oh, they may think you’re a little nuts -- but that never stopped me.

As you close your talk or write the last paragraph speak from your heart.  Tell them why this is so important to you.  Tell them why this is the right action and why you are committed to it no matter what it takes.  Let them know how you feel, why it is worth taking the risk and how things will be better.  Your passion and emotion will motivate your audience to action.  

"Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after." Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Powerful Storytelling

Share Personal Anecdotes and Illustrations. 
If you want to get the attention of an audience and hold their attention, then tell a story. Storytelling is the most powerful means of communication known to man because it’s personal and memorable.

Storytelling was critical before people could read and write. It is still runs deep in our DNA.

Similar to storytelling, sharing a personal antidote or illustration can also engage an audience.  This can endear you to the listener because it makes you more real. The listener thinks, “He’s just like me.”

Whether storytelling, sharing anecdotes or illustrations, the result is that the audience’s defenses go down; their attention goes up and they will absorb more of your communication.

"Look at any great enterprise and invariably its mission drives its strategy, not the other way around.  And it all starts with a story." Greg Satell