Speak up

Public speaking can be the worst fear of many leaders. Yet, in order to lead people -- to get them to follow you -- you must speak, and you must be able to speak to and move large groups. Imagine if you tried to do all your influencing one-on-one. That is a lot of conversations.

Many of us think that people are granted the "gift" of public speaking. We believe that someone who delivers an impactful and steady speech has always been able to move people that way. Typically we are wrong. Moses offered the same excuse when God called upon him to lead the Jewish people out of slavery. "Oh Lord, I am not a man of words.. I am slow of speech and of slow tongue." (Exodus 4:10) What is God's answer? "I will be you mouth, and teach you what you will speak." (Exodus 4:12) Not even Moses was "born" a great influencer through words. And yet, Moses' words can now be found in every hotel room.

Good, effective public speaking takes a lot of practice and the adherence to rules of engagement. There are tools for crafting a moving speech. There are ways to center yourself and engage your presence to draw attention to your words. And there is practice.

Sarah Gershman of Green Room Speakers has a terrific blog where she talks about the skills of speaking and the rules for crafting speeches. Check it out at http://sarahgershman.blogspot.com/.

In her latest blog she talks of know, feel, do - her rule of three strategy for speaking. In order to reach your audience you have to give your listeners a vital piece of information (know), connect them emotionally to the subject (feel) and then give them a call to action (do).

Great leaders speak this language. Great speechwriters write this language. It is not a gift from the heavens, but a craft learned and practiced.