8 out of 10 talks are forgettable. Not because the idea is bad. But because the speaker is unprepared and self focused, not audience focused. Public speaking is not about saying more. It is about saying what matters in a way people cannot ignore. What to do as a speaker: ✅ Cut your talk to the bone ↳ Use the “Accordion Method” ↳ Shrink your talk to 60, then 30, then 15 seconds to find the real point ↳ Only then build it back up ✅ Decide on one sharp message ↳ Your “Arrow” is the one thing they must remember ↳ Your “Bow” is the proof that makes it undeniable ✅ Use silence as a weapon ↳ After a key point, pause for 3 to 5 seconds ↳ Let people think, let the message land ✅ Create simple triggers, not scripts ↳ Use 2 to 3 word bookmarks instead of memorizing paragraphs ↳ “First failure”, “Customer save”, “Turning point” ✅ Stay in character ↳ Do not apologize for being nervous ↳ Your anxiety is invisible until you broadcast it ✅ Turn pushback into power ↳ “That is an important point, here is how I see it…” ↳ Use objections to sharpen your message ✅ Keep clarity prompts ready ↳ “The most important thing is…” ↳ “If you remember one thing…” ↳ “Here is what this means for you…” ✅ Over rehearse your opening ↳ Practice the first 60 seconds 3 times more than the rest ↳ A strong start carries you through the nerves What to avoid as a speaker: ❌ Dumping information ↳ Trying to say everything guarantees they remember nothing ❌ Over explaining your fear ↳ “I am so nervous” only makes the audience nervous for you ❌ Talking without landing the point ↳ No summary, no clarity, no impact ❌ Fighting questions ↳ Getting defensive instead of curious kills credibility ❌ Winging the start ↳ If your opening is weak, the audience checks out before you warm up If people give you their time and attention, boring them is disrespectful. Do the work so your message deserves the stage. ♻️ More people need to see this, share it with your network! ...And follow HR Leaders for more. Image Credit: Dora Vanourek
Another angle to consider is how storytelling mastery amplifies audience engagement by making the single message relatable and memorable, not just succinct but deeply impactful overall. What do you think?
Too many people don't know how to speak in public. And they don't know how to speak in a meeting. While they're not the same, learning how to speak in public will boost your ability to get your ideas across in a meeting.
Saving this. The “Accordion Method” and the silence advice alone are game changers. Most talks fail because they’re noise, not clarity.
Number 8 is my key!! If I can get up and rolling, then my outline and my knowledge will maintain my momentum. Then a strong close recalling, recapping and reiterating my main point with a challenge to my audience!!!
This is a masterclass in audience-first thinking. The “Accordion Method” alone is such a simple but brutal way to cut to what actually matters. Love how you highlight that silence, not speed, gives your ideas gravity.
So good. Also don't assume / read into what the audience is thinking. A stony face can put you off your game but when you realise they could actually be focusing intently, or event thinking about a problem of their own - it's easier.
Clarity lands when you stop flooding people with information and focus on one sharp message. A talk hits harder when the speaker thinks about the audience first and lets the point breathe HR Leaders.
Cutting to the core of a talk is deceptively hard. The clarity that emerges from relentless pruning makes every word count and every pause matter.
Speaking in public is terrifying to most people. It’s not only about knowledge or ability. Being self conscious, lacking confidence and inexperience all impact a persons willingness or effectiveness as a public speaker
Too many times people go on the defensive when questions or alternative thoughts are shared, Your ability to accomodate and clarify such is important and stays with the audience too.