Page 88 - Perfect Phrases for Motivating and Rewarding

■ Assure prospective speakers that they can learn to relax, speak
up, speak slowly and clearly, make eye contact, and connect
with their audiences.
■ Provide positive feedback and supportive suggestions for
improvement.
■ Encourage practice.

Motivational Phrases

■ “I’d like you to present our marketing plan to the management
team. Can you prepare a presentation by next Thursday?”
■ “You know this product’s features and benefits better than
anyone. We need an additional rep at our booth at the
national conference. Would you like some presentation skills
coaching before that comes up?”
■ “Your presentation last week was strong. I have a few sug-
gestions to make you an even more effective speaker.”
■ “You have a powerful delivery that can be even stronger if you
decide to integrate some focused, dynamic gestures and well-
timed pauses.”
■ “I usually choose several friendly faces throughout the
audience and make eye contact with them.”
■ “Remember, everyone is attending this meeting to learn
about your (approach, development, initiative,
findings, recent meeting with XYZ . . .), not to criticize your
presentation.”
■ “You’d be surprised at how a smile warms up an audience.”
■ “I was very impressed with your handling of the Q&A session.
Your answers were succinct and to the point. Clearly, you were
the expert in the room.”
■ “When you review your talk, eliminate unnecessary words,
phrases, jargon, and irrelevant details.”
■ “Your soft-spoken manner tends to make people feel
comfortable in one-to-one discussions, but you’ll have to

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