Page 38 - Twenty Four Lessons for Mastering Your New Role

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Speak like a bureaucrat

Speak with power

A s much as former Secretary of State Alexander Haig craved power,
he sure didn’t talk like a blunt commander. He liked to use phrases
such as “caveat my response” and “careful caution.” Speaking like a
bureaucrat not only undermines your point, but it makes it harder
for others to understand and trust you. Set a goal as a manager of
becoming a plainspoken, no-nonsense communicator.
Even if you ascended into management thanks to your technical
know-how or your track record of hard work, a good bit of your suc-
cess now rests on your ability to speak with power. When you talk, you
need to ensure others listen.
A mumbling or wishy-washy speaker will prove a dud as a manag-
er. You must state your position clearly and make it hard for others
to ignore you. At the same time, you don’t want to dominate every
conversation.
Strong communication skills revolve around your voice tone,
body language, and word choice. By speaking at an appropriate
pitch, pace, and volume, you make it easier for people to understand
you. By standing tall, gesturing naturally and making friendly eye
contact, you radiate poise and leadership. And by choosing vivid
words to make your point and limiting your use of qualifiers, you add
clarity and force to your remarks.
Powerful speakers hone in on their main point. They chop away
fluff and use the fewest words possible to express their core message.
If you see yourself as shy or soft-spoken, that’s no excuse to waf-
fle. Giving a half-hearted analysis of all sides or quietly muttering

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