How Leaders Speak: Essential Rules for Engaging and Inspiring Others

Senior executives, professionals, politicians, entrepreneurs, and educators are increasingly being evaluated by how well they speak - how credibly, how naturally, and how enthusiastically. They’re being judged on their presentation skills. In today’s communication-saturated age, the ability to address others effectively has become the essential mark of a leader.

How Leaders Speak covers the seven keys to speaking like a leader: preparation, certainty, passion, engagement, and commitment. It’s a personal handbook for planning and conveying presentations that will engage and inspire others, from overcoming nervousness to handling difficult questions from listeners.

How Leaders Speak: Getting Ready to Present:

• Know Your Audience
• Find and Create ’The Nugget’ (something your audience doesn’t know)
• Make a Video Rehearsing your Presentation
• Be Prepared for Anything
• Don’t Rely on PowerPoint (have a print out as well )
• Test your Technology
• Have a Checklist of Materials Before You Leave the Office
• Pre-Presentation Jitters are a Good Thing!
• Know Your Environment Beforehand (schedule a run through the day before)
• Eat and Drink Lightly Just Before Your Presentation

How Leaders Speak: During Your Speech

• Have Water Handy
• Keep Language Short and Simple
• Have Your Speech Printed at the Top of Your Page To Keep Eye Contact Connected
• Most Nervousness Doesn’t Show
• Draw in Your Audience Via Names and Anecdotal Info
• Ask Questions to Involve Your Audience (and to Relieve Pressure)
• Speak with Passion!

Jim Gray is a leading speaker, communications skills coach, and media strategist. For more then twenty years he has conducted focused, practical media and presentation skills sessions with senior executives, physicians, and public figures throughout Canada and the United States. A regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, he writes on communicating effectively. Gray lives in Toronto. His website is www.jimgray.com.