What is the best way to get others to hear what you have to say? Be a communicator rather than a talker.
A look back at the greatest communicators in history reveals similar traits. They talk about their ideas, but they do so in a way to speak to your emotions. They connect with their audience.
Forbes took a long look at past successful orators in their article, Top 10 Communication Secrets of Great Leaders, and found they consistently used these 10 principles:
- Speak not with a forked tongue
- Get personal
- Get specific
- Focus on the leave-behinds, not the take-aways
- Have an open mind
- Shut-up and listen
- Replace ego with empathy
- Read between the lines
- When you speak, know what you're talking about
- Speak to groups as individuals
Bonus - Be prepared to change the message if needed
There are some great learnings to be found in these principles – particularly the bonus pertaining to messages. Your message should be true and correct as you see it and based on sound logic and business. Uncovering your firm’s message and learning to tell it clearly and succinctly will serve you well in media interviews, conferences, and client meetings.