Page 169 - The Voice of Authority

they sound like a robot: unnatural, stiff, disengaged, dis-
connected, complex, modulated voice, low energy, dispas-
sionate, uninteresting.
My first challenge in coaching executives on their pres-
entation skills is to bring these split personalities to-
gether—to help them learn to be their “natural” rather
than “unnatural” self when speaking to a group. Whether
speaking to a group, writing an e-mail, or conversing in
the hallway, competent communicators have mastered
these three parts of clear delivery: simple words, short sen-
tences, specific language.
Here’s an e-mail someone sent me, explaining his job:

It is my job to ensure proper process deployment ac-
tivities take place to support process institutionaliza-
tion and sustainment. Business process management
is the core deliverable of my role, which requires that
I identify process competency gaps and fill those gaps.

What does he do? Why put your listener or reader in the
position of decoding? Say what you mean. Nobody has
time for this kind of puzzle. Save it for lounging by the
swimming pool.

Make Your Bottom Line Your Opening Line

If you’re telling a joke, directing a screenplay, or writing a
TV sitcom, your audience will give you a few minutes to
interest them before they yawn and walk away or flip the
channel. Business colleagues aren’t always that patient.
Audiences for your e-mail, your briefing, or your pro-
posal want your bottom line up front for several reasons:

Does Your Communication Make You Look Competent? 157