Speak Like a CEO

1. Authenticity is the cornerstone of effective leadership communication

"You're as good as you decide to be."

Be yourself. Authenticity is not just about being genuine; it's about allowing your true self to shine through in your communication. Leaders who are authentic project something genuine about themselves and aren't afraid to let people see who they really are. This builds trust and credibility with your audience.

Share your beliefs and values. When you allow others to see your inner beliefs and values, you win friends and build trust. Sharing your values is a surefire way to build bridges. People prefer a leader with the courage to talk about convictions over one who says what everyone wants to hear.

Be consistent. Consistency is reassuring in an unpredictable world. When people see something significantly "different" about you, they tend to question all that they believe they know. Maintain a consistent persona across all communication channels and situations.

2. Develop a unique voice by embracing your personal style and experiences

"Leaders do not succeed when they copy, imitate, or adopt someone else's style. Leaders succeed when they do it their way."

Find your authentic personal style. Your language, voice, phrasing, accent, and general style of expression must be authentic. Many people go into "presentation mode" and speak differently or look different when they get up to the podium. Don't fall into that trap.

Honor your roots. You are a product of your hometown, family, friends, schools, previous jobs, and places you've lived. If you leave it all behind, you lose touch with an integral part of you. Reconnect from time to time with the people and places you've known to rediscover yourself and connect with others in a real way.

Share personal challenges. Revealing professional challenges to audiences makes you more relatable. People want to know what you're all about. They want to be inspired by your real experiences, including mistakes and the lessons learned along the way.

3. Master the art of storytelling to connect with and inspire your audience

"Stories are a way of revealing who we are and how we think."

Start with a story. One of the best ways to begin a speech is with a story. The story should introduce a pivotal theme of your speech and be relevant to the main theme. It can have suspense, conflict, and/or humor, and it should introduce your topic.

Use original stories. Original stories always work best with an audience. Repeating other speakers' stories is risky. Your audience may already have heard them. Audiences want to know your point of view, what you have seen, or how you see the world.

Incorporate storytelling elements:

• Conflict to carry people along and keep them in suspense
• Well-placed details to make it real and vivid
• Characters and dialogue to bring the story to life
• A clear message or lesson tied to your main point

4. Preparation is key: anticipate questions and practice relentlessly

"If you wish to win a man over to your ideas, first make him your friend."

Use the 98 Percent Solution. Write down the worst questions—the ones you don't want to answer. Don't bother to write down the questions you would like people to ask, because you already know the answers to those. Write down the questions you wish no one would ask, even the ones that make you cringe.

Practice out loud. You have to practice to give a good presentation. The top speakers in the world practice a presentation several times before they give it. Practice not only helps you perform better but also reduces anxiety because you are confident and prepared.

Preparation techniques:

• Record audio and/or video of your practice sessions
• Use a mirror to observe your body language and facial expressions
• Time your presentation to ensure you meet time requirements
• Use a friendly test audience for feedback
• Visualize success and imagine the positive audience response

5. Harness the power of body language and non-verbal communication

"Before you open your mouth to speak, people have already sized you up."

Project confidence through posture. Your starting position should be with your legs hip-distance apart, standing tall, and your arms at your sides. Don't cross your arms, put them behind your back, or link your hands together. It may feel natural, but it makes you look nervous.

Use purposeful gestures. Gestures should be short, on point, and descriptive. Use your hands to "draw" a picture. Stand in front of a mirror and try to connect your words with your hands. Practice gestures that illustrate concepts like timelines, comparisons, or counting points.

Master facial expressions and eye contact:

• Smile to convey that you are glad to be there
• Engage the audience with your eyes
• Make a connection by really seeing the audience
• Lock in on one group at a time; don't sweep the room from side to side
• Pick out people in the audience and meet their gaze

6. Adapt your message to different audiences and communication channels

"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you."

Know your audience. Use the Audience Agenda System to create audience-focused presentations. Write down your topic and describe your audience, then write down your agenda for the presentation. Next, imagine you are sitting in the chairs with the audience members and write down their agenda. Compare the two and focus on the audience's agenda.

Tailor your content:

• For speeches: Focus on big ideas and inspirational messages
• For presentations: Use clear, concise information with visual aids
• For media interviews: Prepare sound bites and anticipate tough questions
• For meetings: Create detailed agendas and encourage participation

Master different communication channels:

• In-person speaking: Focus on body language and audience engagement
• Television interviews: Practice on-camera presence and concise messaging
• Radio interviews: Emphasize vocal variety and clear articulation
• Written communication: Develop clear, concise writing skills for memos and reports

7. Cultivate genuine curiosity and active listening skills

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."

Ask great questions. Good questions often begin with the word how or why. Those words help you probe more deeply into an issue or topic. They help you better understand people and situations. You want to understand more about people's values and beliefs, their reasons for taking actions, and the consequences of those actions, as well as their hopes, plans, and dreams.

Practice active listening. Active listening is turning up your sensitivity to substance and tone so that you absorb the meaning of what a person has said. It's the little things you hear—the unusual, remarkable, or unexpected. When you hear it, pick up on it and pursue it with another question or observation.

Show genuine interest:

• Give people time to fully express themselves without interruption
• Leave a little space, a pause, before you respond
• Provide an opportunity for the person to say something else before you say goodbye
• Avoid multitasking during conversations

8. Handle tough questions and crises with grace and transparency

"If you control the language, you can control the conversation."

Be calm, honest, and available. Keep your cool, no matter what. Control your emotion—manage the dialogue. Be honest within the bounds of what is legal, ethical, and appropriate. Make yourself available to answer questions and address concerns.

Use the Trigger Method for unexpected questions. You "trigger" your brain by beginning a sentence either with the end of the question or with a characterization. This helps you form a clear, succinct answer to any question on the spot.

Crisis communication rules:

• Anticipate issues and prepare responses
• Get out front with your message before others do
• Be visible and accessible
• Tell the truth and fully inform spokespersons
• Express empathy and concern
• Take responsibility and act quickly

9. Lead meetings effectively to maximize productivity and engagement

"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."

Create a clear agenda. An agenda is a primary meeting tool. It sets expectations, keeps meetings on track, and creates accountability. In an ideal world, every meeting should have an agenda, even if it is a simple one.

Encourage participation. Make it safe and easy for everyone—even the quiet ones—to get involved. Ask specific questions to draw out opinions and ideas from all participants.

Effective meeting strategies:

• Start and end on time
• Manage conflict constructively
• Summarize key points and decisions
• Get to consensus
• Deal with difficult people and side conversations
• Shake things up with different facilitators or meeting formats

10. Continuously improve your speaking skills through deliberate practice

"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word—excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it."

Set specific goals. Identify the areas you want to improve, such as voice projection, storytelling, or handling tough questions. Create a personal development plan with clear objectives and timelines.

Seek feedback. Ask trusted colleagues, mentors, or professional coaches to provide honest feedback on your speaking skills. Use video recordings to analyze your own performance.

Practice strategies:

• Join public speaking groups or take classes
• Volunteer for speaking opportunities in your organization
• Read books and articles on communication skills
• Attend workshops and seminars on leadership communication
• Create a personal story journal for future speeches
• Work with a speaking coach or mentor for personalized guidance

Last updated: November 15, 2024