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GREAT COMMUNICATION SECRETS OF GREAT LEADERS
REVISE YOUR DRAFT
No one said that this would be fun. Authors have their own adage: “Writing is
rewriting.”
Once you have crafted the presentation in a format that is comfortable for
you, put it aside for a day or so. Then reread it and see how it sounds. Practice
reading it out loud. When you do, you will find words and phrases that look
good on paper but ring hollow when spoken. Adjust the phrasing. Remember,
you are crafting a presentation that will be seen and heard, not read. Sound and
images come first.
Review the Drafts with Colleagues
Share what you have crafted, either notes or speech, with your trusted col-
leagues.
Be prepared. Everyone has an opinion—once the words are on the page.
For more than 40 years, the famous theatrical caricaturist Al Hirschfeld drew
stylized drawings of leading actors and actresses that accompanied reviews of
plays or musicals in the New York Times. In an interview, Hirschfeld said that
not once during his lengthy career did an editor ever alter, or even suggest
altering, a line. Yet, he said, he regularly witnessed the butchering of copy by
everyone in the newsroom. Even the great Winston Churchill was not immune
to the markings and slashings of the junior copy boys. So get used to it. Peo-
ple will make comments. 13
Take all comments into consideration. But incorporate only those that
have merit in light of your message, your audience, your intention, and your
content. Throw everything else out. If you do not pay close heed to this rule,
the finely sculptured horse that you have artfully created will slowly, but
unmistakably, “morph” into an ugly, hump-backed camel. Ugh!
A word of caution: Disregard the previous paragraph if it’s your boss who
is making the suggestions. In that case, argue your point of view, but do not
argue it to the point of no return. Unless you are writing the Declaration of
Independence or the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, do not jeopardize your promis-
ing career. Take what your boss says under advisement and try to find a way
to make what he or she is suggesting work.

PLANNING AND PREPARING TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE

When you are developing the message, keep in mind how you will deliver it
and where you will deliver it. The delivery of a formal presentation differs
from that of an informal presentation. Location also has an influence on
delivery.