HOW STAYING IN THE RIGHT LANGUAGE ZONE CAN SAVE YOU FROM GIVING A DISASTROUS SPEECH
Leaders who are credible speakers make sure they’re in the right language zone.
Let me explain.
A few weeks ago, I was working with a senior leader who delivers a lot of prepared speeches. After hearing him struggle, it was clear that the speech itself was part of the problem. There was nothing wrong with the message but the words were more suited to a written document, not a verbal presentation.
There’s a difference between the phrases you use in writing and what works if you want to engage an audience directly. Changing the language zone made a big difference to that leader’s effectiveness as a speaker.
If you’re a leader who relies on notes when you’re speaking, make sure your words are suitable for verbal delivery. If someone else writes your speech notes, insist that the language is crafted for the spoken word rather than the written word.
Here are three areas to focus on:
LENGTH
Use short sentences, ideally no longer than one line in length. Long paragraphs won’t work here. Replace words that don’t easily roll off the tongue. “Particularly” is a good example.
Use active voice rather than longer passive sentences. (This resource can help)
LAYOUT
Print your notes in an easy-to-read font like Arial and make it large. Make sure there’s plenty of white space between each sentence.
LOOK
You’ll be more engaging if you don’t rely on notes, but it’s also a reality that busy leaders often need a prepared speech. If you’re reading, you must still find a way to still connect with your audience.
Make sure you look up from your notes at the end of every sentence.
Don’t create a barrier by constantly keeping your head down. That screams, “I just want to get the hell out of here!”
Never go in cold.
Once your speech notes are prepared, read through the material at least three times and underline the words you’re going to emphasise. Mark the places where you’re going to look up at your audience.
With time and practice, you might get to a stage where you need fewer notes or even none at all – but don’t go off-script before you’re ready. Avoid becoming a meaningless rambler.
In the meantime, you can still read a speech and be a credible communicator if you stay in the right language zone and connect with your audience.
Want more of my message?
Book me as a speaker at your conference, leadership retreat or event via this link: https://www.neryleast.com/contact-neryl
Dr Neryl East is a professional speaker and executive coach who shows leaders how to be heard, stand out and command influence. Connect with Neryl on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neryleast/
