Speaking As a Leader

Whether it's among colleagues at lunch or an audience of a thousand, a leader's role is to move and inspire others. It's not only the big occasions that test a leader's mettle, but the little ones as well—in a casual conversation in the elevator, in phone calls, or one of many incidental, seemingly "insignificant" interactions in everyday work life. Written by one of the world's leading communications coaches, Speaking as a Leader shows you how to make the most of your daily communications, creating a presence on the job as a genuine and constant leader.

In this eye-opening guide, aspiring (and established) leaders can enhance their reputations and influence by following a few simple steps. Speaking as a Leader:

• Shows how to structure your thoughts and message in any situation using a four-step model
• Offers tips on listening effectively, in three dimensions
• Details why you are the best visual and how to avoid "Death by PowerPoint"
• Offers guidance on taking the "numb" out of numbers
• Includes tips on moving from subject to message

With Speaking as a Leader, you'll learn to tap into your innate leadership skills at every occasion—whether small or large—and earn the sort of respect that creates devoted friends and passionate supporters.

Preface ix

Introduction: Speaking as an Act of Leadership 1

Step 1: Think Like a Leader 9

Chapter 1: Begin with Vision 11

Chapter 2: Think beyond Hierarchies 17

Chapter 3: Move from Information to Inspiration 27

Chapter 4: Move from Negatives to Positives 35

Chapter 5: Speak with Conviction 41

Chapter 6: Listen, Listen, Listen 49

Chapter 7: Commit to Communicating 59

Step 2: Script Yourself as a Leader 69

Chapter 8: What Is a Leader’s Script? 71

Chapter 9: Open with a Grabber 77

Chapter 10: State Your Subject 87

Chapter 11: Lead with a Message 91

Chapter 12: Develop a Persuasive Structure 101

Chapter 13: Close with a Call to Action 113

Step 3: Use the Language of Leadership 121

Chapter 14: Speak with Clarity 123

Chapter 15: Take the “Jar” out of Jargon 131

Chapter 16: Be Conversational 137

Chapter 17: Be Personal 145

Chapter 18: Be Eloquent 153

Chapter 19: Don’t Be Um Tentative 161

Chapter 20: Take the “Numb” out of Numbers 167

Chapter 21: Jokes Are Not for Leaders 173

Step 4: Achieve a Leader’s Presence 177

Chapter 22: Bring Your Script to Life 179

Chapter 23: You Are the Best Visual 187

Chapter 24: The Eyes of a Leader 191

Chapter 25: Suit the Action to the Word 203

Chapter 26: Find Your Leader’s Voice 215

Conclusion: Always Leading, Always Influencing 225

Endnotes 231

Index 243

JUDITH HUMPHREY is Founder and President of The Humphrey Group, one of North America's premier executive communications firms. For over 20 years The Humphrey Group has been coaching thousands of senior business people who wish to lead every time they speak. The firm's training programs, such as Speaking as a Leader^® and Taking the Stage^® , have been delivered globally to over 100,000 people directly and through train-the-trainer programs. The Humphrey Group's clients include blue chip companies around the world. Judith has published articles in the Harvard Management Communication Letter, Vital Speeches of the Day, and Presentations That Persuade and Motivate (Harvard Business School Press). The Humphrey Group has offices in Toronto and Vancouver and its website is www.thehumphreygroup.com.

SPEAKING AS A LEADER

"A leader's role is to move others—engage them and inspire them to action." — JUDITH HUMPHREY

Speaking as a Leader will show you how to influence and inspire others every time you speak. It provides a single, comprehensive approach that will help you lead in every communication, from formal speeches and presentations, to phone calls, meetings, Q&A, and elevator conversations.

Too often communications situations represent lost opportunities to lead. Messages are confused, audiences are bored or overwhelmed by a flood of information, and the speaker fails to elicit action. When people fail to communicate they fail to lead.

Speaking as a Leader addresses this problem and puts communication squarely at the center of leadership. In today's flattened organizations, leadership opportunities exist in every interaction and for individuals at every level. For a leader, the mike is always on.

This book will help readers meet the enormous challenge of engaging, energizing, and motivating others day in and day out. It will help you unlock your leadership potential every time you communicate and turn your listeners into followers and believers. Its four-step model will show you how to:

• Think like a leader
• Script yourself as a leader
• Use the language of leadership
• Achieve a leader's presence.

No other book offers such a powerful approach to move you from information to inspiration.