Priya Kartik is the founder of Enspire Academy with decades of experience in enhancing the success factor of individuals & organizations.
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Your ability to communicate effectively drives your success. So there will likely be times when you're speaking and pause to wonder, “Am I a powerful speaker?” Taking charge of your communication style can help you create a lasting impact, both professional and personally. As a speech coach, I have committed myself to analyzing the communication strategies and enabling business professionals to improve their impact. Let me share three tips that will help you influence your audience.
1. Bring your personality to the forefront.
Your beliefs, strengths and quirks are what craft your unique personality, and allowing that to shine can leave an indelible mark on your audience. Developing the confidence to demonstrate it will help you influence even your toughest audience. For example, when advocating for Indian freedom, renowned leader Mahatma Gandhi never wavered in presenting his message with his way of thinking, speaking and even dressing. This commitment to presenting his full self inspired many people and elevated the Indian independence movement to a global stage.
Projecting your true personality can be achieved by following three steps.
1. Find your intent. Start with identifying what you want to get across when speaking. For example, is your intent to discuss the bigger purpose of your business? Knowing what you want to communicate can help you find the best ways to integrate your character into the discussion.
2. Remember that your expertise is unique. When crafting your message, lean on your perspective and personal experiences. This will make your message authentic, which builds trust and stimulate reciprocity.
3. Your experiences make you, you. Share stories or anecdotes that will fit the message. This automatically infuses your message with personality, and it allows your audience to find commonality.
2. Brevity is your best friend.
Shakespeare wrote “Brevity is the soul of the wit," and that remains true. We inadvertently run long meetings, write over-complicated emails or share terabytes of information to make our point. Being clear and concise makes your message powerful.
For example, when Steve Jobs introduced the first Macbook Air in 2008, he succinctly conveyed its features in less than three minutes.
• At 00:01, he grabs the audience with an intriguing statement: “There is something in the air.”
• At 00:43, he describes the product in a simple sentence: "It’s the world’s thinnest notebook." From here, Jobs discusses different brands' laptop models and what qualities he wanted to improve on when making the Macbook Air.
• At 02:12, the presentation slideshow display an image of a brown string-tie envelope and Jobs says that the Macbook Air is thin enough to fit inside one.
• At 02:22, he says, "Let me go ahead and show it to you now." Then, Jobs picks up a brown string-tie envelope and pulls the Macbook Air out of it.
Learning to embrace brevity requires a well thought-out, iterative preparation process that addresses the purpose of your talk, the profile of your audience and their expectations. Focusing on thsse factors can help you create a message that resonates. Then reflect on, revise and refine those thoughts. Repeat until your message is clear, concise and impactful.
3. Benevolence will improve your communication.
Benevolence is a mindset characterized by the sincere desire to help and improve the well-being of others through kindness. When we demonstrate benevolence, we signal to our audience that we're approachable, empathetic and genuinely interested in their growth. Research suggests that benevolence lowers negativity and conflicts and improves organizational performance. It boosts interpersonal trust and an audience’s willingness to act.
A few years back, I was talking to a C-level executive in his office. A mid-level manager walked in, visibly distressed about a critical issue. The executive instantly turned his focus to the manager, putting down his pen and closing his laptop. Throughout their conversation about the issue, the executive remained composed and asked clarifying questions to aid the manager's thought process. Finally, he provided honest feedback while offering words of encouragement about the manager's potential for future growth. This was a real-life example of benevolent communication.
Benevolence in communication can be achieved easily if you focus on three factors.
• Using positive and uplifting language to create a positive and supportive atmosphere
• Demonstrating empathy and showing that you're aware of your audience’s struggles
• Practicing open, honest communication to clearly convey your intentions for sustained growth
The power of your words is unfathomable. They have the potential to unlock opportunities, change minds and shape the future. By continuously honing your communication skills, you can create a lasting impression and turn your audience into dedicated advocates. Your authentic voice and purposeful message will stand out, leaving a lasting legacy that reflects your impact and influence.
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