Speak Like a CONFIDENT Leader! 3 BEST Ways to Improve Your Speaking Skills as a Leader

Summary

This video offers three essential tips for enhancing leadership communication skills. It emphasizes speaking with a firm, clear, and confident voice, which instills trust and authority. The script advises slowing down speech to appear more in control and suggests lowering the tone for a confident sound. It also highlights the importance of eliminating uptalk and filler words to convey certainty and commitment. Lastly, it recommends initiating discussions with thought-provoking questions to lead conversations and stimulate creative thinking within teams.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Use a firm, clear, and confident voice to convey authority and control as a leader.
• 🔍 Slow down speech to appear more in control and to ensure clarity of communication.
• 📉 Lower the tone of voice slightly to project confidence without sounding too authoritative.
• 🚫 Remove the upswing, or rising intonation at the end of statements, to avoid sounding hesitant.
• 📈 Use the downswing, or downward intonation, to sound assertive and confident in your statements.
• ❌ Eliminate filler words like 'um', 'like', and 'you know' to appear more decisive and confident.
• 💭 Avoid non-committal phrases such as 'kind of' or 'sort of' to project certainty in your communication.
• 🤔 Ask open-ended, thought-provoking questions to initiate discussions and lead conversations.
• 💡 Thought-provoking questions stimulate creativity and problem-solving within team discussions.
• 👥 By asking questions, you can lead a conversation without the need to dominate the speaking time.
• 📝 Practice and incorporate these speaking skills in meetings and interactions to enhance your leadership presence.

Q & A

What are the three main tips provided in the video for improving speaking skills as a leader?

The three main tips are: 1) Use a firm, clear, and confident voice. 2) Remove hesitancy in verbal communication. 3) Ask thought-provoking questions to start discussions.

Why is it important for a leader to have a firm, clear, and confident voice?

A firm, clear, and confident voice is important because it conveys control and assurance, which are essential for followers to trust and follow the leader's guidance, support, and direction.

How can slowing down speech contribute to a leader's confidence in speaking?

Slowing down speech can make a leader appear more in control and less nervous, which in turn can make them seem more confident and better able to hold the attention of their audience.

What is the effect of speaking too fast on the perception of confidence?

Speaking too fast can make a person seem nervous or hesitant, which can negatively impact the perception of confidence, especially if it's due to fear of losing the audience's attention.

How does the tone of voice affect the perception of confidence?

A slightly lower tone of voice can convey confidence and control, whereas a high-pitched voice may sound insecure. However, it's important not to lower the tone too much to avoid sounding authoritative or dull.

What is an 'upswing' in speech, and why should it be avoided in leadership communication?

An 'upswing' is a rising intonation at the end of a statement, which can make the speaker sound hesitant or unsure. It should be avoided as it does not convey the confidence and assertiveness expected of a leader.

What is the opposite of an 'upswing' and why is it recommended for leaders?

The opposite of an 'upswing' is a 'downswing,' which is a downward intonation at the end of a sentence. It is recommended for leaders because it conveys certainty and confidence in their statements.

Why are filler words like 'um', 'like', and 'you know' detrimental to a leader's speech?

Filler words can make a leader seem hesitant and unsure, which detracts from their main message and undermines the perception of confidence and clarity that is crucial for effective leadership communication.

What is the significance of using open-ended questions in leadership communication?

Open-ended questions, starting with 'what', 'how', or 'why', require more elaborate answers and stimulate deeper thinking and discussion. This positions the leader as a conversation leader, directing the conversation and fostering creativity and problem-solving.

How can asking thought-provoking questions help a leader appear more assertive without dominating the conversation?

Asking thought-provoking questions allows a leader to initiate and guide discussions without the need to constantly talk. This approach demonstrates leadership by engaging others and leveraging their insights and ideas.

What is the recommended approach for removing filler words from one's speech?

The recommended approach is to simply remove the filler words from sentences rather than replacing them with something else. This helps to create a more confident and clear speaking style.