When it comes to making an impression on others, the things you say are more important than many people realize. A lot of the time, people will judge your leadership ability based on how you speak, because the way you talk often reveals what you value and what’s important to you as a leader or manager. You may not be in charge at work, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use the same strategies leaders do to make sure your message gets across clearly and assertively. Here are 10 ways you can talk like a leader wherever you go.
1) Use Simple Language
Leadership requires confidence and clear communication. Use Simple and understandable Language. Be Clear and Concise. Give Emotional Feedback, especially when employees are feeling overwhelmed or worried about the state of their work. Your followers want someone they can look up to. They want an example they can follow in order to be successful themselves.
2) Avoid Jargon
Don’t use jargon or industry terms when possible. This will make your points more understandable for everyone in the conversation, not just those in your industry or who speak your jargon. Speak with Confidence. Keep Your Voice Steady and Low-Pitched. Keep Your Hands Still and Your Gaze Directed at the Audience Member in Front of You. Keep Body Language Open, Gesturing Naturally When Necessary. Think About Your Words Before Saying Them. Focus on Connecting With the Person You’re Talking To The same way you want people to care about what you have to say, you need to care about what they have to say.
3) Speak in Short Sentences
When you make statements, use the word I instead of we. Use phrases like, I can see how that would be frustrating, and, how do you feel about that? Pay attention to your tone and volume. Speak at a level where you can be heard but don’t shout so people have trouble understanding what you’re saying. Establish yourself as an authority on a subject by talking about it with confidence, facts, or stories from experience. Take turns speaking with other participants in the conversation–if someone interrupts you, wait until they finish before responding so they know they are being heard too! Avoid using you unless you want to sound condescending. If you need to get across an idea that might seem negative, say one way this could work instead of here’s what one person thinks.
4) Get to the Point
A common mistake that leaders make is not getting to the point quickly enough. They spend so much time explaining the why and how of their message that the audience stops paying attention. This leaves them feeling frustrated, disappointed, and unappreciated. Use these tips to avoid this common pitfall to Talk Like a Leader:
- Get to the Point Early on – You’ll need to clearly state your message early on in order for it to be effective.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Say It Quickly – People often use qualifiers like to be honest, frankly, or honestly as an excuse for going off-topic. If you have something important to say, then just say it.
- Keep Your Audience’s Attention With These Techniques- Make sure you have a firm grasp on what you want from your listeners before starting. Stay focused on the goal at hand without becoming too distracted. Establish credibility by being confident in your own abilities and acknowledging areas where you may not be up to par with your company’s standards.
- Know What Your Main Points Are Beforehand – Gather any data needed beforehand so you know exactly what arguments will most likely sway people to think the way you do.
- Emphasize Key Points – Remember to highlight key points throughout your presentation.
- Share Ideas Clearly And Concisely – Decide what ideas are most relevant and share them plainly and concisely.
- Take Breaks In Between Sections Of Your Presentation – When presenting, try taking pauses between sections so that the audience can process all information given up until that point.
- Repeat Important Information Again For Clarity – After giving your main points, repeat them one more time to ensure they sink in and that the audience knows what you want them to take away from your speech.
- Practice Delivering Your Message Out Loud To Yourself – One technique I recommend when giving a speech is practicing delivering my entire speech out loud to myself several times beforehand. I find this technique helps me become less nervous when standing in front of a group of people because I’ve already done it before many times.
5) Use Active Voice
Speak as if you’re making an announcement. Speak slowly and clearly, and avoid filler words like um or uh. Give yourself time to think about what you want to say before speaking because the pause will make you sound more confident. Be aware of body language; keep your head up, maintain eye contact and speak firmly.
6) Be Direct
Be direct, don’t beat around the bush. Get to the point. There is no need for flowery language or long introductions when you have something important or urgent to say. If people don’t understand what you’re saying, rephrase and simplify until they do. And if they still don’t get it, ask them what they want. When you make your point, keep it short. In fact, shorter is usually better because shorter sentences are easier to read and take less time. But if you feel that more words are needed (to make your case), then go ahead and use them!
7) Ask Questions
If you want to Talk Like a Leader then Start with a question instead of making a statement: What do you think about this situation? Asking them questions like What do you think? or How does that make sense? can help them feel more involved in the conversation.
8) Listen More Than You Talk
Actively listen during conversations and respond appropriately; this means paraphrasing others’ thoughts back to them (So it sounds like you disagree?). People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. When talking with others, give them your undivided attention and time. Listen more than you talk, but when it’s time for you to speak up, make sure that the people listening will feel like they have been heard.
9) Take Pauses
Keep your voice steady and use plenty of pauses for dramatic effect. Slow down and take pauses throughout conversations. Even if you’re giving a speech, give some time for questions afterward and then pause while audience members respond before continuing.
10) Be Passionate
Passion is what makes people want to follow you. Be passionate about your ideas, your company, and the work that needs to be done.
Talk Like a Leader Conclusion:
Be Bold (five sentences)] Saying what you mean and standing up for what you believe in is an important part of being a leader. Your employees should know where they stand with you, so don’t hesitate to make it clear when they are doing something wrong or are not meeting expectations. Speak Clearly: Make sure to speak clearly during meetings and presentations so that everyone can understand what you’re saying. The better understood you are, the more credibility you will have with your team members.