Page 141 - Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders

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DELIVERING THE MESSAGE
CHAPTER 8
assume the role of host. Invite the employee into the office, offer refresh-
ments, make certain that the person is sitting in a comfortable chair, and, if
appropriate, close the door to the office. These are little things, to be sure, but
they reflect courtesy for the other person, not as a performer, but as a fellow
human being.
Leaders can extend these same courtesies at meetings in a variety of ways.
Offer to get coffee for the group. If the meeting will run more than 60 minutes,
consider treats or snack foods. Rotate the assignment of running the meeting.
Do not be the first one to speak; allow others to voice their opinions first.
Again, these are small measures, but when taken together they demonstrate a
leader’s concern for others.
Communications Planner: Delivering the Message
Content + Preparation + Audience = Moment of Truth. Use these tips to
help you prepare for your moment of truth.
1. Consider your leadership message. Imagine yourself prepar-
ing to go on stage.
What does the audience want to hear?
How can you bring your personality to bear on the
message?
What story can you tell on yourself that might break the
ice and put the audience at ease?
2. Listen to your voice on tape. Make notes about your tone and
inflection.
3. Imagine a presentation style. When I speak, I like to keep the
mental image of Rob Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke Show in
mind. If you recall the show, Rob (played by Van Dyke) was
thin and lithe, and exuded a great deal of physical comedy
with seemingly little physical movement. His movements,
including the pratfalls, were polished and practiced.
4. Practice speaking in front of a mirror. It’s probably the oldest
technique in the world, but there’s a reason for this: It works!
5. Watch yourself on videotape. Make notes about your move-
ments and your voice. Do they work in concert?
6. Plan your rehearsal time. Plan what you will do in advance;
that way, you can maximize your time on stage.
7. Watch the professionals. Attend lectures or speeches when-
ever possible. Watch what the pros do, and as you do so, make