HOW TO SPEAK WELL

BY JAMES HURFORD

HOW TO SPEAK WELL

Secrets to help you communicate better at work, at home and in your community
by James Hurford

2014 James Hurford. Passion. All rights reserved.

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TO BECOME A GREAT LEADER,

YOU MUST BECOME A GREAT COMMUNICATOR
You cant become a great leader, if you cant speak well.
It's no coincidence that throughout history nearly all of the great
world leaders were good speakers Nelson Mandela, Winston
Churchill, John F. Kennedy to name but a few.
Whether youre a president or a manager, your success depends on
good communication.

7 tips to make you a great communicator

1. Connect with people effective communication is more about
building relationships than anything else. Communicate with the
emphasis on connecting with people and they will respond better to
you and your message.
Speak from the heart and use your own language, let your own
personality shine through. Make sure your communication is
genuine and true and avoid corporate mumbo-jumbo your team
will respect you for it.
2. Build trust for you to become a great communicator, people
must trust you. Being aware of this is the single most important thing
that you should keep mind:
If you want to win a man to your cause, first convince him that you
are a sincere friend.
Abraham Lincoln
3. Use more than just words when we communicate we use
words, tone of voice and body language to get our message across.
The very best messages are those that are synchronised when
theyre all giving the same message.
How you look and what you wear speaks volumes about you. People
judge you on your appearance before any words are spoken. Make

sure you look the part. Pay attention to grooming, style and fit of
clothing.
Your look also includes personable qualities facial expression,
good posture, a positive attitude and eye contact, all play an
important part.
4. Listen well its one of the fundamental skills of success. Its
hard to be great or trusted without it.
When youre not listening well to someone you're communicating,
I don't care. You're not worthy of my attention. Which has to be on
the quickest ways to destroy anyones trust.
Listen with your eyes and your body. Practice patience, empathise
and most importantly be present. Avoid taking interruption calls,
text messages or emails it's one of the fastest ways to show you
don't really care about them.
5. Be simple, clear and concise it's always better than
complicated and confusing.
Simplify your communication and stick to the core point. It also
shows that you have respect for your teams time.
Meetings should contain a brief summary and a call to action with
clear instructions. By keeping matters short, it also shows that you
have a clear understanding of what is being said.

6. Think before you speak don't force yourself into a conversation just to hear yourself speak. Keep your thoughts under wraps
until you have something specific to say, until you understand how to
proceed.
Your words are a reflection of who you are. If you speak before you
think, you're not considering the words you're saying or the words of
the person you should be listening to.
Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.
7. Ask the right questions you'll get to the heart of effective
communication and information exchange. Youll gather better
information and learn more; youll build stronger relationships,
manage people more effectively and help others to learn too.
Skilful questioning needs to be matched by careful listening so that
you understand what people really mean with their answers. Your
body language and tone of voice can also play a part in the answers
you get when you ask questions.
Your ability to develop effective communication skills accounts for
fully 85% of your success in business and in your personal life.
The good news is, communication is a learned skill. We can all get
better at it by learning what great communicators do and practising
these skills until they become part of our everyday life.

Source: torquemag.io

NEVER BE NERVOUS AGAIN

The fear of public speaking is the #1 fear of all fears. It ranks far
above the fear of death, heights, sickness, jumping out of a plane
or loneliness.
Even some of the worlds most famous presenters have freely
admitted to nervousness and stage fright.
There are two types of speakers.
Those who get nervous and those who are liars.
Mark Twain

Why is public speaking so scary?

When faced with standing up in front of a group, we break into a
sweat because we are afraid of being embarrassed and
judged.The fear is so strong that were not only afraid of being
ashamed, were also afraid of being rejected from the social group.
Overcoming this fear is the first step to becoming an effective public
speaker, powerful communicator and influencer. Its a skill thats
essential if you want to have impact at work, at home or in your
community.
If youre only able to talk with people one-on-one, youre greatly
limiting your ability to grow and succeed in life. Everything at a
higher level involves being able to talk with groups of people.
12 tips for calming your nerves
1. Stop being a perfectionist we tend to go over our mistakes
while ignoring the best parts. Even the best, most experienced
speakers make many mistakes. The audience will never know most
of them unless you tell them.
2. Accept nervousness everyone gets nervous. Most seasoned
speakers experience a bit of nervous excitement before a
performance. In fact, most believe that a little anxiety actually makes
you a better speaker.

3. Forget yourself focus on your audience and what they want to

hear. Not yourself. When you stop thinking its about you, thats when
your greatness begins to emerge.
4. Talk about what you know youll speak with more confidence
and passion if you are knowledgeable about your subject. Dont talk
about things you dont know about.
5. Remember the six Ps proper preparation prevents piss poor
performance. The longer you leave your preparation, the more
anxiety you will have.
6. Arrive early walk around the venue and talk to some of your
audience members. Getting comfortable with the venue and seeing
a few friendly faces will make you relax and calm your nerves.
7. Memorise your opening the beginning of a presentation is
often the most nerve racking. Learn your opening off by heart. It will
give you confidence to start strong. Once you get going youll settle
down and your confidence will increase.
8. Smile it will make both you and your audience relax.
9. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse nothing will calm your nerves
more than knowing you have a winning presentation. Rehearse out
loud at least 4 times before you deliver your speech.

10. Your audience wants you to succeed novice speakers

commonly feel that people in the audience are extremely critical
and want them to fail. This is rarely the case. They are on your side.
People want to listen to someone whos interesting, stimulating,
informative and entertaining.
11. Dress for success the clothes you wear are important.
Not only for your audience but more importantly, for you. Choose
clothes that make you feel confident. If you feel good about how you
look in front of your audience, you can put all of your focus on your
message.
12. Gain experience one of the best ways to combat
nervousness is to gain speaking experience. Take any opportunity
you can to speak to an audience. The more public speaking you do,
the better youll get.
Keep in mind that you dont look as nervous as you feel. Looking
nervous and feeling nervous are two different things. Though
you may feel like a bundle of nerves, this is not what the audience
sees. Take comfort in the fact that your nervousness is nearly
all subjective.

Source: thegrindstone.com

20 TIPS TO BEING A BETTER SPEAKER

No matter who you are or what you do, speaking well is one of the
most important skills you can develop. Personal relationships, social
interactions and work situations all require you to communicate to
other people.
By becoming a better speaker you can advance your career,
enhance your reputation, boost your self-confidence and open up
countless opportunities:
1. Talk with your listeners not at them use a conversational
style. The same as you would if they were sitting across a table from
you. Dont use jargon and stuffy words, keep it simple and direct.
2. Paint pictures with your words see in your mind the story you
are telling. Youll have more excitement in your voice when you bring
it alive.
3. Put energy and fire in your voice if your voice sounds
nervous or timid, you sense it, the audience will hear it and youll see
their discomfort. Use energy and youll come across as more
confident.
4. Set the tone your confidence, emotional state and attitude is
often revealed in your tone of voice. You would use a different tone
at a funeral than you would a wedding. Make sure your tone is right
for the topic youre talking about. It will set the stage for your whole
presentation.

5. Dont give long talks twenty minutes max, any longer than
that is a test of peoples endurance. Remember, it takes more time to
write a short talk than a long one. Keep it direct and to the point.
6. Dont write your speech word for word youll end up reading
it. Write it like a short script. Use phases to guide you and jog your
memory. Itll sound more natural and youll come across as more
spontaneous.
7. Practice your talk out loud if it sounds right it usually is right.
8. Prepare and rehearse too many people think all they need to
do is rehearse once before they go into the presentation. If you want
to hold attention and command authority you need to practice.
Again, again and again.
9. Get and hold attention take command straight away by
striding to the lectern with purpose. Start your talk eyes-up, in a
conversational style, with energy and enthusiasm by doing this
youre saying, Im in control.
10. Dont fidget put pens, paper, phones or anything else
distracting to one side. Fiddle with these things at your cost. Youll
come across as nervous.

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11. Look your best your appearance sets the stage. Make sure
you use it to your advantage. Dress one step up from the best
dressed in the room.

17. Smile you communicate joy and ease. A frozen or neutral

face communicates absolutely nothing. Show warmth, sincerity and
feeling by keeping your face animated.

12. Make eye contact after your voice, your eyes are the
most powerful tool for communicating. When presenting,
establish eye contact and click from one person to another in
your audience, pausing briefly between each set of eyes in the
room. This click gives your listeners the feeling you're relating to
each one individually.

18. Conquer nervousness over come your fear with

preparation. The more you prepare, the less nerves you will have.
Begin preparing your talk at least three weeks ahead of time.

13. Stand tall how you stand speaks volumes. A balanced

stance with weight even but slightly forward says the speaker is
engaged with the audience. A slumped stance says the speaker
doesn't care.

19. Check out where you are speaking it will prevent last minute
surprises. Practice standing at the lectern, re-arrange chairs, check
out the sound system its your stage, not just a room.
20. Be yourself the more you try to act like someone on stage,
the more people will see straight through you. The more you act like
yourself, the more natural and confident you will come across.

14. Let your gestures flow theyll make you look more natural
and theyll actually reinforce your words. But dont over do it.
15. Make a connection empathy builds trust. When you can read
other peoples feelings and share your own you make a much
stronger impact. Its critical for effective communication.
16. Show confidence your body language and facial
expressions communicate as much as your words. Attitudes,
feelings and emotions are sent like telegrams to your audience.
Make sure they are in sync with what you are saying.

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nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com

PERSUASIVE POWER ETHOS, PATHOS AND LOGOS

2300 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote down the
secret to being a persuasive speaker. This secret forms the basis of
nearly every public speaking book written since.
In fact, many teachers of communication, speech and rhetoric
consider Aristotles writing; The most important single work on
persuasion ever written.
The theory is that a speakers ability to persuade depends on how
well they appeal to their audience on three different fronts ethos,
pathos and logos.
Together, they are the three persuasive appeals. In other words, the
three essential qualities your speech or presentation must have
before your audience will accept your message.
Many people have heard of these rhetorical concepts, even if they
dont know what they mean.

Ethos the credibility or character of the speaker

We tend to believe people who we respect.
Before you can convince an audience to accept anything you say,
they have to accept you as credible. If your audience doesn't trust
you, it doesn't matter how emotionally moving your argument is, or
how clear and brilliant your logic.
Ethos is often the first thing we notice. Even before a speaker takes
to the stage to speak, the audience has already begun to decide if
they are going to listen.
Ethos has two parts:
Extrinsic ethos the authority, education and experience of the
speaker or author.
Intrinsic ethos the way the speaker goes about the act of
persuading.
Trustworthiness is established through your audiences perceptions.
Which means its in the mind of the receiver, not the speaker the
audience determines if you are credible.
Establishing credibility Respect Authority Trustworthiness
Expertise Physical and emotional presentation History

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Pathos emotional connection with the audience

Logos logical argument

Establishing an emotional connection with your audience is a way

of getting them involved in your presentation, and involvement can
create more opportunities for persuasion and action.

Logos is appeal based on logic or reason. Clear, concise and

logical argument and rational explanation, give substance to the
speakers message.

Pathos ensures people are involved in your talk, it appeals to the

human love of storytelling. Were all emotional beings speakers,
writers and particularly advertisers know this well. They use
language, examples, diction and images to create an emotional
reaction in the audience. By introducing pathos they evoke pity,
sympathy, sorrow, joy, love, desire, anger and laughter.

Persuasion, to a large extent, involves convincing people to accept

our assumptions as probably true and to take appropriate action.
If you argue without evidence, people will quite rightly start to
question you.

But its not enough to have your audience emotionally respond to

your message, they need to identify with it as well. Thats when
persuasion starts taking place.
The secret is not to tell the reader what to feel, but to arrange it in
such a way as to conjure emotion.
Emotional connection Vivid storytelling Descriptive use of
language Engaging delivery of information Emotional emphasis
in themes and words Humour

Evidence can include statistics, pictures and recounted experiences

(especially first hand). Pathos can be used when giving evidence,
as you can give it emotional spin. Ethos is also important to
establish credibility.
When there are no facts available, then logic can be supported with
other types of compelling reasons.
Logical argument Facts Statistics Studies Examples
History Evidence

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amazon.com

THE GOLDEN THREAD'

When writing a speech you need to be crystal clear about the

message youre trying to get across. Speeches audiences
remember tend to follow this principle they have a single thread
that runs through the whole talk.
If you have a Golden Thread you can keep your audience with you
all the way lose the thread and your content becomes a mass of
information without any clear direction.

Finding your Golden Thread

To find your Golden Thread you need to ask yourself, Whats my
one idea worth sharing.
To get to that idea you need to decide what you want your audience
to do or think differently as a result of your speech.
This message is the heart of your speech, the onething that if
nothing else the audience will remember. With a clear and concise
message youre able to communicate what really matters. Once you
have your message clear it makes it much easier to craft your
speech around it.
Take them on a journey
Every part of your talk should be a journey along the Golden
Thread. This will help you edit your content and keep it on track.
Write down all the key points and stories you want to make in a long
list. Then edit the list by throwing out the boring parts and keeping
the interesting bits.
Just remember that the goal of good speech is to connect with
your audience and share emotions with them. If you can make an
emotional connection youre on the path to persuasion. To share
an emotion, you have to feel it too. Dont rely on facts and figures to
do that.

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Three basic elements

Every speech should have three basic elements introduction,
body and conclusion.
1. Introduction audiences judge you, your organisation and your
message in the first 30-60 seconds of your presentation. Your
opening sets the entire tone its when people decide whether they
are going to listen to you or not.

Remember, when you write a speech your audience wants to listen

and connect with you. So dont write your speech out word for word.
Give it a Golden Thread it will help you stay on track. You wont
have to worry about the exact wording. It will make it more
spontaneous. And, youll be connecting with your audience as you
speak. Its much more powerful.

Grab their attention immediately and follow it by a statement about

your topic. Then end it with a transition into your body section.
2. Body should consist of sub points, examples, arguments,
and stories organised in such a way that they follow one another
along the Golden Thread. This will give your talk a logical
progression, making it easier for the listener to follow.
Don't try to overwhelm your audience with countless points. Keep to
a maximum of three. Its better to make a small number of points well
than to lose them with too many.
3. Conclusion like your opening, the closing of your speech
should be strong.
It should summarise your one idea worth sharing while leaving a
lasting impression with your audience.

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Source: huffingtonpost.com

PUBLIC SPEAKING CAN GIVE YOU THE WILLIES

We've all seen it happen the stumbling over words, the awful
hesitations and lost lines making you squirm in your seat or
simply wishing the speaker would disappear down a hole.
Why is it people fear public speaking so much?

Facing your fears

You have to remember that everyone gets a bit nervous. Its how you
control your nerves that matters:
Conquer uncertainty the more uncertain you are,
the more nervous you will be.

Some people will go to the extent of avoiding public speaking

altogether. Others will pass up promotions and assignments which
require speaking. It may even lead some to choose a career that
doesnt call for public speaking at all, rather than following the one
they really want.

Fear of the unknown, uncertainty, thats what makes people panic.

The more you can reduce uncertainty the less nervous you will be.

Others dont go that far, but will go to great lengths to avoid making
presentations, or just speaking in a meeting. They may even
deliberately arrive late, hoping to miss the customary introductions
Hi, errrImummmJ..J..JohnThe Gibbering Idiot.

1. Dont shoot in the dark think about the purpose of your talk,
your audience, the occasion. Talk to people, find out what they want
you to present. Don't give a surprise presentation, it could backfire
on you.

The fear of being rejected its so strong that were not only afraid
of being ridiculed, laughed at, ashamed or judged; were also afraid
of being excluded from a social group.

2. Be prepared dont wing it. The more you prepare the more
confident you will be, and the less nerves you will have. Begin
preparing your talk at least three weeks ahead of time.

A few tips to help conquer uncertainty

3. Give it structure there are three parts to your talk or

presentation; introduction, body and conclusion. Write an outline of
your main points. This will give you a roadmap to follow before you
get bogged down with finer details.

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4. Don't memorise everything youll sound like a droning robot.

A talk or presentation whether to ten or a hundred people must be
spoken, not read or memorised. Write your presentation with your
ear as well as your pen. Read it out loud as you write it. If it doesn't
sound right, it usually isn't right.
5. Keep it short some of the best talks I've ever heard have been
short. It takes more work to write a short, tight talk or presentation
than a long, rambling one. Cut, chop and edit. Make it tight, direct
and to the point. Your audience will thank you for it.
6. Practice your presentation record it and play it back. Listen
to yourself. Re-edit your talk and record it again until you're
satisfied. It will help you put the shine on your talk and make your
words come naturally. Also, nothing will build your confidence as
much as practice.
7. Keep up appearances people judge you by the way you look.
Some will decide before youve even opened your mouth whether
they are going to listen to you. The way you look, the way you hold
yourself, your presence (or lack of it), all play a vital role. Pay
attention to your appearance, it will help you build your confidence.

8. Calm yourself knowing you've done most of the work already

will help you over come some of your nerves. The rest is confidence
and a sense of authority. Stop thinking about yourself and your fears,
remember that the audience wants you to succeed.
9. Get approval approval is what we all want when presenting
and we're afraid we won't get it. That's what makes us nervous.
Just before you start talking, pause, make eye contact, and smile.
Nothing will relax you and your audience more. You'll gain a sense
of approval and it will give you time to relax and get in control.
10. Start strong your opening must be totally eyes-up. You want
to sound calm and at ease, with a sense of joy to be there. You'll see
your audience visibly relax as they realise have what it takes to
make a good presentation, which in turn will relax you.
Remember, every great speaker started out as a poor one. What
made them a success was their willingness to take a chance,
try again and view every opportunity as a step to becoming a
better speaker.

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Source: buckleyschool.com

WHILE YOURE SPEAKING, WHATS YOUR BODY SAYING?

Like it or not people judge you by the way you look. Your facial
expressions, the clothes you wear, how well groomed you are and
your body language. And, theyre even more important when youre
presenting and all eyes of an audience are on you.
More than half of all human communication takes place nonverbally.
You are constantly sending out messages. If theyre not in tune with
your words nobody is going to take you seriously.
To become an effective communicator you must understand how
your body speaks. You cant stop sending out nonverbal messages,
but you can learn to manage and control them.

1. The power of facial expression and eye contact

Your face communicates your attitudes, feelings and emotions more
than any other part of your body. The movement of your eyes,
mouth, and facial muscles can have a significant impact on your
ability to connect with your audience and they can undermine
your every word.
After your voice, your eyes are the most powerful tool for
communicating. When presenting, establish eye contact and click
from one person to another in your audience, pausing briefly
between each set of eyes in the room. This click gives your
listeners the feeling you're relating to each one individually.
Your face should be animated, not still like a stone statue from
nervousness. Unfreeze your face right from the start. Introduce
yourself with a smile. Itll make people relax and smile back
a sign of approval.
2. Your stance speaks volumes
How you stand can tell the audience if you're happy, scared,
confident or uncomfortable. A balanced stance with weight even
but slightly forward says the speaker is engaged with the audience.
A slumped stance says the speaker doesn't care.

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If you use gestures, let them flow with your words. Gesturing doesnt
only help you look more natural, but it can actually reinforce your
verbal message.
Keep in mind that gesturing is different from fidgeting. Avoid holding
papers, pens or remote controls when you are speaking. By
removing objects from your hands, youll remove distractions and
look more open and confident.
3. Make a good first impression
How you look and what you wear is your packaging. It sends a
strong visual message even before you open your mouth. Get it
wrong and you could lose your audience before you start.
You cant change your age, height or facial features, but you can
enhance your appearance by dressing well. Make sure you use it to
your advantage.
You can enhance your authority in any presentation situation by
dressing up rather than down. Always dress as well or slightly better
than your audience and make sure you think about how it makes you
feel. If you feel confident, that will come across in your presentation.

Actions speak louder than words

Engaging an audience is more than just the words you speak.
Showing confidence through your body language is an important
skill to develop.
Its important to come across as natural as possible, so while these
tips will help, you must make sure you only use what makes you feel
comfortable.
Be yourself copying other peoples gestures or body language
might look awkward if they're not something you would do. To be
an effective speaker, you must convey sincerity, warmth and
confidence by making your mannerisms and actions affirm what
you're saying.
Develop empathy its critical for effective communication.
Your ability to understand and share feelings with people will
significantly impact on your success in both your business and
personal life. Empathy builds trust. Without it you can't be a leader.

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Source: Statesman.com

20 POWERFUL SECRETS OF PERSUASION

Your ability to persuade and influence people, to get them to

understand, accept and act upon your ideas is crucial to your
success. People who speak persuasively have greater personal
power, get more things done and achieve their goals faster.
By learning how to persuade and influence people it will help you to
be more successful in every area of life your home, your work and
in your community.
Two important things to remember
Persuasion is not manipulation manipulation is control and
coercion through force, to get someone to do or believe something
that doesnt benefit them. Persuasion uses reasoning, sound
argument and compelling benefits to get people to do things that
are in their own best interest and yours.
Dont try to persuade the unpersuadable choose your ground.
Identify those who are more open to your ideas, point-of view,
products or services and focus your energy and attention on them.

The power of persuasion

1. If people dont trust you, they wont listen to you trust
underpins everything you say and do. Your reliability, confidence,
credence and assurance without them, you are lost.
2. We like people who are similar to us people prefer to say
yes to people they like. Thats why, before getting down to
business, it is best to talk about who you are, what you do and, if
possible, find some common ground or pay a genuine compliment.
3. Put yourself in their shoes if you think about yourself and
what you want all the time, youre never going to persuade. Learn
how to consistently talk to people about them; do that and youll
have their attention.
4. Give a little something to get a little something in return
were all wired to return favours. The rule of reciprocity is so strong
that by giving something, doing a favour, making a concession,
providing small gestures of consideration to others, youll find that
others will feel compelled to return your kindness.

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5. What we see is just as important as what we hear like it or

not, people judge you at first glance. Your body language,
behaviour, character, gestures and the way you are dressed all
come into play. They have a lasting impact on your ability to
persuade others make the most of them.
6. Confidence and certainty are compelling we all have a need
for certainty, and confidence is the outward sign of inner certainty.
You will always be able to persuade others if you really believe in
what you do.
7. Have authority people listen to experts. They give their trust,
and money to them everyday. Because our reaction to authority is so
powerful and immediate, by having it you can to a get yes quicker
and more often.

10. Physical attractiveness theres no getting away from it,

people like to identify with attractive people. While you dont have to
be a model (which can be distracting) you should make the most of
how you look.
11. Make it scarce people want more of the things there are less
of. If you want somebody to act, you have to make them feel they
will lose out if they dont, even if that object is you.
12. Instill a sense of urgency you have to persuade people in
the present. If they dont do what you want them to do right away,
then theyll never do it in the future.

8. Knowledge is power know your stuff.

13. Establish rapport when people feel more comfortable with

you they are more open to your suggestion. Listen, ask open ended
questions, empower people, pay compliments, use humour
youll find people will warm to you.

9. Build your reputation your reputation is based on your past.

Your integrity, accomplishments and character are all important
when you are trying to influence. When it comes to influence, your
reputation is your biggest asset.

14. Be persistent if you want to persuade someone, dont give

up. Ultimately, the one who persists will be the most persuasive.
Persistence an essential element of persuasion both in business
and in life.

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15. Be flexible with your response the person with the greatest
flexibility of behaviour will have the most influence in any situation.
Flexibility will enable you to achieve your outcome.
16. Stay calm, keep your emotions in check people turn to
those in control of their emotions, especially in times of conflict,
pressure or stress. Would you look up to a leader who panics
under pressure?
17. Pick your battles persuasive people understand that most
conversations dont require getting someone to do or accept
something. Aggressive pushers put people on the defensive, while
truly persuasive people understand their power and use it sparingly.

19. Engage with people smile, establish direct eye contact

and speak firmly and clearly, at a slow pace all of this will help
them relax and engage with you, which in turn will make them more
receptive to you and your ideas.
20. Try to eliminate fear whether youre speaking one-to-one,
to a group of people or a large audience people pick up on
nervousness. It creates a barrier to persuasion. Stop thinking youre
not good enough or you havent got what it takes. We can all get
better and no one is perfect.

18. Listen more than you speak you cant persuade or convince
others, if you dont know the other side of the argument. Persuasive
people are constantly listening to you and not themselves. Theyre
listening for objections, connections and moments of agreement
common ground they can capitalise on.

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Source: nbcbayarea.com

WHY YOU NEED CREDIBILITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL

Your ideas are accepted as believable only to the degree that you
are credible. If you have credibility, people will place their trust in
you, but if you lack it, theyll feel unable to rely on you.
Credibility is key to successfully influencing others, both in your
personal and business life. Your ability to influence people requires
that you be someone worth being influenced by in the first place.
What is credibility?
Credibility is made up of two parts and very few people can maintain
great influence without both of them:
Competence how people regard your intelligence, expertise and
knowledge of the subject.
Character how people regard your sincerity, trustworthiness and
concern for their well-being.
Credibility is all about communication. Effective communication is
55% visual, 38% vocal and 7% verbal. So its not just what you say,
its how you say it and how you look when you say it your body
language, your voice, your eye contact and facial expressions all
play a part.

How to build credibility

1. Grow your influence by consciously building your expertise
and applying it whenever possible your influence grows.
2. Build rapport dont rush to the point too quickly. Find common
ground. Build rapport by building your relationship with others.
3. Focus on them listen. Be interested. Understand other
peoples issues and concerns. We all need to feel important. We all
need to be heard. It builds trust.
4. Be consistent consistency in actions is key to building trust.
We trust people when we know what to expect in their words and
what they do.
5. Self presentation is crucial dont rely on your words to gain
credibility. They way you look is important too, since people start
judging you even before you start speaking.
6. Speak loudly, clearly, and confidently confidence is
contagious. If you have confidence, people will catch it easily.

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7. Make eye contact youll appear more open, trustworthy, and

confident. Even if you are reading some notes, look up frequently to
maintain your connection.
8. State your credentials when making a speech, people will
trust you more readily if you can prove that other people value your
expertise.
9. Accept feedback gracefully even if you dont agree with the
persons assessment, receiving it with an open mind will improve
your credibility.
10. Never make a promise you cant keep when you break a
promise, you damage trust in a way thats hard to repair. If for some
reason you cant keep a promise, let the person know as soon as
possible.
11. Be authentic being honest, up-front and authentic builds
trust. People can see through showmanship or lack of relevant
knowledge and expertise. Dont blag it.

12. Admit when you are wrong we all make mistakes. Dont
cover things up. When people see you are willing to admit to your
errors and even draw attention to them, youll gain a reputation for
trustworthiness.
Remember, perception is everything its important to build
expertise and knowledge but being perceived as having it matters
much more. Which means, you cant fake it. It will backfire on you if
you are using these as a way to manipulate people or a situation.
The good news is, that by applying these approaches to build your
credibility you will likely be building your perceived expertise as
well.
Credibility is a combination of both expertise and trustworthiness.
They can be built simultaneously. And, with focus and determined
actions you can build your credibility one of the golden keys to
unlocking greater influence.

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Source: wallpaperhd.co

HOW TO GIVE YOUR SPEECH IMPACT

The more prepared your speech, the more impact it will have. If
youre ill-prepared and disorganised, it will show. Youll lose the
attention of your audience, theyll get very little information and they
wont accept your ideas.
A well-practised, orderly speech will keep your audience interested.
Theyll be much more receptive to your ideas if youve taken the time
to put your thoughts in clear, logical order.

20 tips to being the greatest

1. Do your research good speakers stick to what they know.
Great speakers research what they need to convey their message.
2. Focus on a theme it helps your audience grasp your
message. Decide on what you want to talk about and eliminate
everything else.
3. Keep it simple have a clear beginning, middle and end.
4. Prepare early making a good speech starts weeks before with
thorough preparation. If you are well prepared, will show.
5. Think about your audience everything you write should be
with the audience in mind.
6. Write for the ear, not the eye dont write your speech to be
read. Write it so be heard.
7. Keep it short the shorter your talk, the more likely you will be
able to keep peoples audiences attention to the end.
8. Connect with your audience a speech is not a logical
augment. Nor is it a list of accomplishments, facts or events. Speak
to peoples emotions and touch their hearts.

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9. Use imagery create a picture in peoples minds through your

words.
10. Revise, revise, revise cut all unnecessary words, develop
the central idea, make sentences flow smoothly and develop
powerful imagery.
11. Write notes not scripts use phrases with no more than
4 or 5 words. Theyll help you keep on track.
12. Speak with passion the best speeches come straight from
the heart. Pull stories from your own life and use the language you
use every day.
13. Come out from behind the podium the elimination of a
physical structure between you and an audience brings you
closer together.

16. Rehearse often theres no substitute for it. The better you
know your speech, the more comfortable youll be and the better
youll deliver it.
17. Work the room arrive early and talk to people before you
make your speech. Then when you are at the podium, you'll see
friendly faces. Your confidence will soar and youll relax.
18. Be yourself people want to see and hear the real you.
Dont try to be someone youre not. Stay true to your character.
19. Talk to you audience dont give a speech. Try to be relaxed
and conversational. Make them feel as though they were the only
ones in the room.
20. Enjoy it if youre enjoying it, then its likely that your audience
will be enjoying it too.

14. Get rid of the script easier said than done for some, but
incredibly liberating.No one wants to hear you read, they want to
hear you talk to them.
15. Tell stories theyre easy to remember. Theyll also help you
get rid of your script.

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Source: hqwallpapers.org

HOW TO BE A MORE NATURAL SPEAKER

Marlon Brando is probably the most famous cue card user in movie
history. Brando claimed he used to, Write my lines on actors faces
or pinned cue cards on their costumes. He refused to memorise his
lines. Claiming it was more natural that way and that people seldom
memorise the lines they say from moment to moment.
Some viewed his approach as lazy, but Brando argued that he
was simply keeping the dialogue as spontaneous as possible,
enhancing the reality.
In order to sound spontaneous, you have to be prepared. Its the
preparation that allows you to be more spontaneous. Brando
rehearsed his scripts for a more natural delivery but he didn't
memorise them.

Why would you want to be more spontaneous?

There are two important side effects of spontaneity:
Charisma we perceive a spontaneous person as more
charismatic. Compared to a logical more rational person who never
leaves a rigid structure.
Humour saying the unexpected is a pattern of humour. It shows
emotion, warmth and natural feeling.
Spontaneity, passion and enthusiasm all provide an instant
connection to your audience, and an open door to information, ideas
and creative thought youve already stored in your head.

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Spontaneous speaking
1. Dont read your presentation out word for word no one
wants to hear you read, they want to hear you talk.
2. Dont write out your whole script it makes it hard to resist the
temptation to memorise it.
3. Write for the ear not the eyes say it out loud. Youll find if it
sounds right, it usually is right.
4. Use cue cards with prompts short phrases to remind you
where you are headed. No more than that.
5. Think of it as a planned conversation you know where its
going but youre loose enough in the moment to make it up a little bit
as you go along.
6. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse it feeds your mind so you can
improvise in the moment.

7. Prepare yourself you want 80% of it to be prepared and allow

20% to be spontaneous.
8. You have to have a path when you know where the path is,
you then have the ability to go off it. It gives you strength.
9. Internalise your content rather than memorising it,
understand what you are saying. Thatll give you the confidence to
talk about it naturally.
10. Speak from the heart listeners want you to be real. Someone
they can admire and emulate.
11. Use a conversational style its more powerful and engaging.
Be in the moment. Be authentic. Be conversational.
12. Use nonverbal messages eye contact, vocal expression,
body posture, gestures, and facial display enhance your
message. Its where your credibility, sincerity and knowledge
become apparent.

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Source: rte.ie

FOUR SECRETS OF THE WORLDS GREATEST SPEAKERS

John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther

King and Ronald Reagan they all learnt that if you want to inspire
and motivate people your spirit has to enter the soul of the listener.
To enter the soul of your listener you need to convey four important
qualities. Do just one of these well and youll notice a big difference
and so will everyone else.
1. Relax and enjoy it
When the speaker is at ease and seems to be enjoying the
presentation, the audience will be at ease. People want to listen to
someone who's interesting, relaxed and comfortable.
In everyday conversations we have no problem being ourselves. Yet
when we stand up to give a speech, we change. We focus too much
on the audience rather than what we're saying.
Take the pressure off yourself, think of your presentation more
as a conversation between two people. Make it personal, talk
directly to people and make a connection. If you can carry on a
relaxed conversation with two or three people, you can also give a
great speech.

2. If people don't trust you, they won't listen to you

Building credibility starts even before you've had a chance to open
your mouth. Self presentation is crucial to your credibility.
Visual impact is at least as important as verbal impact, people
will very quickly make assumptions based on your facial
expressions, the clothes you wear, how well groomed you are
and your body language.
Dressing well will enhance your credibility and convey
professionalism. Most importantly, it will make you feel more
confident.Confidence plays a key role in establishing credibility
and giving a successful presentation. If you look good, you'll
feel good.
3. Speak with fire in your belly
Enthusiasm is contagious. Speak with passion and you'll get people
excited. You will naturally be more animated and you'll create energy
in the room. People are drawn towards people who are enthusiastic
about what they are speaking about. Theyre more interesting, more
believable and more likeable.

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Energy is created by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is created by

a genuine interest and passion about the topic you're speaking
about. You can't fake enthusiasm, it has to come from the heart to
be effective.
Just the act of speaking with enthusiasm makes you come across
as more confident. Speak about something that you truly believe in
such as a product or a business idea or a cause that you're
passionate about, and it'll be easy.
4. Take ownership of the room
Speaking from a place of strength and authority is mostly a mental
game. Once you're in the room, recognise that you belong there.
Don't approach meetings or presentations as if its a test. Don't put
your head down or nervously flick through papers be there in
body and mind.
Giving a presentation or making a speech is physical. So when
you're asked to take the limelight make sure you take it. Stand
upright, hold your head up, put your shoulders back, lean slightly
forward and smile. What you're saying with your body language is
I'm glad to be here.

How you speak matters. If you don't sound like you expect respect,
you won't get it. Your eyes, your face, your tone, all play a part
theyre the message givers.
Establish eye contact with several people in the room as you talk,
it will help you connect with your audience. Even better, get people
to nod their heads as you speak its a sign of approval.
Speak clearly and calmly, slowing your pace it increases your
authority as well as your clarity. If you stumble over your words,
you're speaking to fast. If you sound hesitant or unsure, people will
assume that you either don't have the authority or that you're not
willing to use it.
Learn from the great speakers
If you want to become a better speaker its worth looking at great
speeches, the ones that connect with the audience. Youll find they
all have empathy, credibility, enthusiasm and authority and their
spirit touches your soul.

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Source: davidlillo.com

GREAT LEADERSHIP: VISION AND COMMUNICATION

Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln,

Steve Jobs each of these leaders shared a clear and compelling
vision with their followers. Each of these leaders offered a vision of
a better future founded on purpose not money.
In order to become a leader, you must first have a vision. A vision
is not a dream, its a clear picture or an idea you have for a better
future for yourself, your business or any other endeavour.
Why you need a vision
There are two important reasons why as a leader you need a vision:
Vision creates purpose with purpose, a vision becomes the
driving force behind everything you do. It helps you pursue your
dreams, overcome obstacles, achieve your goals and produce a
successful outcome.
Vision provides focus the more clearly focused you are on
exactly what you want, the easier and faster it will come into your
reality. Its also much easier to lead if you have a clear idea of what
you want to achieve. Even if you dont have much experience as a
leader, having a clear vision will help you through.

How to create a vision

Your vision should be emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual.
You must see your vision, feel your vision and live your vision. It has
to be in your mind and soul.
Heres how you do it:
1. Focus on people never projects, programs, properties
or profits.
2. Give it hope hope creates and energies vision. Separated
from hope, a vision is futile. Leaders without hope are lost, along
with everyone who follows them.
3. Think big when you build your vision, vision big. Anything is
possible within a vision.
4. Give it passion when you create a successful vision, you
begin to feel passionate about it. That gives it power.
5. Include who you want to be its important to know exactly
who you are right now, in order to know who you want to become.
6. Choose your vision wisely and precisely you just might
get it.

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7. Make a mental picture in your mind add feelings and

emotions. Walk, talk and act like you have achieved it already.
Bring it to life.
8. Be persistent to bring your vision into reality you must have
persistence and discipline. A vision demands it.
A vision is much deeper than a vision statement you find somewhere
on the corporate head office wall. A vision statement is not a vision.
Theyre boring, full of corporate jargon and bureaucratic
mumbo-jumbo and far to bland to drive any real change.

The companies that survive longest are the ones that work out
what they uniquely can give to the world not just growth or money
but their excellence, their respect for others, or their ability to make
people happy. Some call those things a soul.
Charles Handy

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Hurford is the owner of Passion, a company specialising in

training communication skills to individuals in organisations all
across Africa.
James helps people become more effective, more confident and
more dynamic communicators.
Hes a speaker and author of How to write well and How to speak
well. With over 25 years of experience working for top international
advertising agencies, he brings a vast amount of knowledge and
expertise to every organisation he works with, such as:
Thomson Reuters (Worldwide)
Pricewaterhouse Coopers (Johannesburg)
Momentum Insurance (Johannesburg)
Hollard Insurance (Johannesburg)
PlatMin (Pretoria)
African Alliance (Johannesburg)
Peregrine Investments (Johannesburg)
Foschini Group (Cape Town)
NSFAS (Cape Town)
Old Mutual (Cape Town)
Call Direct Personal Loans (Cape Town)
South African Government (Cape Town)

James Hurford | Africas #1 Success Trainer

Call: +27 (0) 742 545 881
Email: james@passion.za.com
Website: www.passion.za.com
LinkedIn: za.linkedin.com/in/jameshurford/
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