Handouts

oadband illumination, serviceable but not terribly attractive. Movement that has intention attached to it is likea laser, focused and powerful. Which would you rather be?II. VERBAL:CONCISE = SUCCESSExpressing ideas out loud for the very first time is exciting. It's like exploring a plot of land. You make yourway around the perimeter, viewing it from all angles. Then you make tentative prods to see what's beneath thesurface. Sometimes you end up back on the perimeter for another view or abandon the place altogether for awhole new plot. It's a fun process. Unless you're the listener.Under our definition of a presentation, you shouldn't need to do your exploring in front of other people. Theadvantage is that being concise is one of the most highly prized attributes of the effective communicator.To be concise you need to be able to deliver your last line first.It's said that when Jack Welch ran General Electric he asked presenters, "Do you have a summary slide?" Whenthey said yes, he said, "Show me that first." This is a terrific lesson, especially if you're communicatingupwards. Ask yourself, what point am I really trying to make? Then speak that first. All your reasons andsupporting data can come later.If you hear yourself beginning to repeat an idea, stop. That's right. Simply stop talking. Saying an idea out louda second time helps YOU clarify your thinking, it does not add value for your listeners. Think about it silentlyuntil you can summarize it in a sentence.As you challenge yourself to become more concise, you'll find yourself able to preface your remarks withframeworks like, "I have two different ideas regarding this," or "My thought connects directly with what Robinsaid."The sound of leadership is concise. Get to your bottom line. Say it once. Stop talking.People will listen.NONWORDS: ER'S AND AH'SNon-words are unconscious, habitual behaviors. They are highly personalized, individual marks of distinction.For example, some people have a perfectly articulated, resonant "um" at the head of their sentences. Others useonly the less distinct interior "uh." Often the word "and" becomes a non-word, linking idea after idea after ideain a run-on sentence that becomes unmanageable. Other non-words are actual phrases, such as "d'y'know what Imean" or "in a manner of speaking." No matter what the non-word, it is better left unsaid.The only way to reduce or eliminate non-words is to create a feedback loop. You might put a cassette recorderon your desk and hit the record button before you answer or dial the phone. Play back the tape on your wayhome from work. You'll be astonished. A week of that will change your habits fast!3