Leaders speak to influence. But too often, leaders fall into the “forgettable communications scourge.” Bill McGowan
Don’t bother speaking if you’re forgettable.
Begin and End Strong
“Hermann Ebbinghaus conducted experiments on memory and concluded that information presented at the beginning and end of a learning episode tends to be retained better than information presented in the middle.” Speak, Memorably
Position your second-best insight at the start to hook your team and your best insight at the end, ensuring your message resonates.
Practice Out Loud
Never stumble out of the gate.
Rehearse your opening statements aloud. You invite engagement when you begin with confidence and clarity. McGowan suggests practicing three things.
- Opening lines.
- Sticky ideas.
- Closing lines.
Replace Predictable with Memorable
Listeners expect to hear something they don’t expect.
“What’s safe is usually not sticky.” Speak Memorably
- Eject clichés.
- Speak with heart.
- Skip apologies.
- Reject over-selling. “I’m so excited to announce…”
- Use direct language.
“Conformity makes you forgettable.” — Bill McGowan
Your title doesn’t make you a memorable speaker. Influential words are clear, focused, and authentic. Leaders use language to motivate action. It’s no accident.
What speaking techniques have you learned to use?
What lousy speaking habits have you seen leaders use?
The Top 10 Rules for Talking Like a Leader
Thanks to Bill McGowan for sending a review version of his new book: Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience. It’s practical and useful. This post is inspired by his work.
