Day 9: Improve your Oratory Skills

President Obama Speech

There are always great comments about those who are well spoken.  From Presidents to associates, we all remember those who are able to put in to words the thoughts and feelings in their head.  The importance of articulation has had a steep decline in the last twenty years.  The average person doesn’t care about speaking, or writing well because they don’t see the significance of it.  In 2013 focus on communicating better with others.  Here are a few things to help you improve. 

Look for verbal and non-verbal cues.  A majority of communication is non-verbal.  Paying attention to a person’s gestures, facial expression and body language is significant because it can display how they are truly feeling.  If there is a change in voice pitch that also indicates what emotional state they are in.  Moreover, the words used.  In communication the words you use can change the whole meaning as well as how you place them.  One word I want you to be cautious of is the word “but”.  Be very aware of when you use this word because it means all that you said in front of that word doesn’t matter, thus making it mostly a token statement.  I.E., “I like you but you don’t make enough money”.  Although its said the person is liked, they are not liked. 

Repeat what the person is asking back to them or clarification.  You will be amazed by how many times we misunderstand a question or something that someone says.  By saying it back as you understand the question or thing that is say, you both can see where clarity and clouds are.

Learn new words.  The average educated adult today uses 2000+ vocabulary words daily.  Back in Shakespeare’s time, they used more than 20,000!  That is a significant difference.  The more words you use, the more articulate and precise you can communicate.  Did you ever want to explain something to someone but you couldn’t explain it exactly, or it’s from a different language and you cant think of how to translate? There is probably a word for that.  The best way is to learn new word every week or two and use it daily for that period of time.  The caveat is you forget to use it or other people don’t have a clue what you are talking about.  So explain it to them.  They may forget, but you most likely wont.  After constant use, the fear will subside (the first word I learned when using this technique) sooner than you think.

Slow down your pace.  There are so many things that are going on today that we don’t take the time to slow down from time to time.  In speaking, making sure that the person or people you are talking to can understand you.  If you speak to fast then it will go right over their head.  A great way is to see how they talk to you.  If they are fast paced, then you are good in speaking quickly, but if they take some time or pause then slow down to there pace.  If they stutter or have a speech impediment, please don’t mimic that, its disrespectful.  Just slow down your pace and be patient.  

Adjust your speaking patterns and words to those you are talking to.  This is one of the most significant attributes to improving your oratory skills.  People love to talk to those who have things or experiences in common with them.  It makes them feel at ease and more at home.  A great example is those who move to another place and met someone from where they are from, there is almost an instant chemistry between the two people.  They will speak similarly because where they are from they speak the same.  Prime example is the word “hella”.  Well used word in Northern California  meaning a lot of excess amounts.  Example: “Thank goodness L.A. is hella far from here”.  Other words such as Youse guys in Chicago.  I know some words may not be grammatically correct, yet it allows you to connect with that person and understand them more.

Athens was build and destroyed by the art of rhetoric, which means if you use it wisely you can do great things and have foster great relationships, personal and business.  Yet it also means you can destroy those relationships just as quickly and follow the story as history tells it.  Used the right way, you communicate more clearly, more respected and get more things done.  So the choice is yours.