Speaking Is the New Leading

Amplifying Your Influence With Every Word

In the corporate world, having the ability to articulate impactful communication cannot be overstated. Echoing the sentiments of Warren Buffett, who once confessed how a Dale Carnegie course fundamentally altered his trajectory, it’s clear that mastering the art of public speaking is similar to unlocking a hidden superpower. Buffett’s revelation, “I couldn’t do it. I threw up... But I took the Dale Carnegie course, and it changed my life,” serves as a testament to the transformative potential of effective communication.

Stanford Professor Matt Abrahams, in his podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart, reinforces this notion, positing that “The ability to communicate confidently and concisely is at the heart of effective leadership.”

Leveraging these insights, let’s dive into five nuanced strategies for you to enhance your team’s communicative prowess, thereby amplifying their influence:

1. Be Excellent: Strive for unmatched clarity and precision. Structure your message with a clear narrative that captivates from the outset.

Your Action Steps: Begin by distilling your presentation into key points. Employ storytelling to demystify complex ideas, making them accessible and engaging, regardless of the audience size.

2. Be Empathetic: Tailor your communication to align with your audience’s perspective and needs, fostering a deep, resonant connection.

Your Action Steps: Engage in active listening. Before speaking, immerse yourself in understanding the audience’s challenges and aspirations, allowing you to craft messages that speak directly to their experiences.

3. Be Encouraging: Let your words be a beacon of inspiration, driving motivation and positive change. Language is the software of the mind. Think carefully about the words you select to upload into the heart drive of your listeners.

Your Action Steps: Weave in affirmations and narratives of triumph. Highlight your team’s achievements to paint a vivid picture of what’s achievable, ensuring your enthusiasm is both palpable and infectious.

4. Be Enthusiastic: Channel genuine passion into your discourse. Your fervor can captivate and inspire, transforming indifference into engagement. Kurt Carr, a musical artist once said about writing music, “If it doesn’t move you, then it won’t move them.”

Your Action Steps: Share personal anecdotes that underscore your commitment. Vary your delivery to maintain dynamism, especially when broaching subjects close to your heart.

5. Be Elastic: Flexibility in response and presentation style can endear you to your audience, crafting moments of genuine connection.

Your Action Steps: Hone your improvisational skills by navigating unscripted speaking challenges. View unexpected questions or hitches as opportunities to showcase your adaptability and wit. However, be willing to go off-script. That’s where the magic happens for you and your audience.

My own epiphany regarding the power of communicative skills emerged at the age of 14, after sports rejections led me to the stage, where I unearthed my voice and never looked back. This realization wasn’t merely about finding an alternate path but about understanding the profound impact our words can wield.

Modern oratory marvels, such as Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan, whose advocacy for education and women’s rights has captivated the globe, and Jacinda Ardern from New Zealand, known for her empathetic leadership, showcase the transformative potential of eloquent advocacy. Adding to this illustrious list is Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, whose visionary leadership and compelling presentations have placed him at the forefront of technological innovation. Another shining example is Amanda Gorman, whose poignant recitations have underscored the power of poetry and prose in capturing hearts and minds across generations.

Let’s heed the immortal words of Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” For leaders, the objective transcends mere corporate advancement; it’s about elevating others through the power of our speech. Speaking, unequivocally, is the new leading.