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"What do I say?" How often do you ask yourself this question? Occasionally, we all wonder, "What am I going to say?" More often than not many of us are plagued with this question. For those of us either in a position of leadership or aspiring to be in such a position, how we answer this question is important. "What we say" has direct bearing on how our audience views us, if our listeners trust us, if they buy our ideas, and how generously they allot us their most precious commodity, their time. Earning and holding the attention of listeners is a responsibility of leadership. For not only does a leader need followers, but willing, eager followers and loyal fans. Knowing how to handle the issue of "What do I say?" is one part of effective leadership. Consider the following idea, and I assure you that you won’t be stumped so often by the question, "What do I say?" What’s my idea? "Know your opening lines." This idea cannot solve all or even most of your presentation problems. Delivering results-oriented presentations is both a skill and an art. However, it can profoundly affect how generously your listeners grant you their attention, their time, and their loyalty. For example, say the following opening lines and consider the results. Experience has taught me… My research indicates… …builds your credibility. You may be glad to know… Here’s an idea that may help… …shows your audience you care. If I have heard you correctly… It seems to be important to you that… …lets your audience know you have be listening Could you please repeat your question? Pause and take a breath… …gives you time to think. My favorite story is… The best example I can think of is… …makes for attentive listeners. The best advice I ever received was… A lesson I learned the hard way was… …grabs the attention of your listeners. From my point of view… From my frame of reference… …helps your audience understand your position. A quote important to me is … From my reading, I have learned… …makes you more interesting. As I stated earlier… My position is… …keeps your presentation focused. I believe… I know… …helps you sound confident. One of my values is… My priorities are… …shows character. In summary… To close… …keeps you in charge of the time. Now, just a few more tips to help you implement this idea. Remember these are your opening lines, not someone else’s. Consider that you won’t have to worry so much about forgetting what you are going to say. Be assured that your audience will recognize your honesty and admire your integrity as a leader. And, be glad that you can relax more and even have fun. In closing, knowing your opening lines may seem simple; however, as you can see, something this simple, once it becomes a habit, can have a profound effect on your listeners and goes a long way to create loyal fans, and eager followers. |
