The ability to speak in a manner that is both energizing and persuasive is important for any leader, yet most executives receive little to no formal training in motivational speaking, according to a recent Harvard Business Review study. Authors of the research found most skillful speakers use language that is:
- Clear. Great speakers use “uncertainty-reducing language.” For instance, rather than being vague, these speakers provide precise information on how to accomplish a task, including simple instructions, straightforward definitions of tasks and clear-cut details on how performance will be evaluated.
- Empathetic. “Empathetic language” demonstrates that the speaker is considerate of the audience members as actual human beings. Praise, encouragement, gratitude and acknowledgment of a task’s difficulty all fall into this category.
- Inspirational. People who give great pep talks often use “meaning-making language,” meaning they explain why a task is important. Typically, they do so by telling inspirational stories about times when people who worked hard succeeded or when their efforts positively affected customers or the community.
—Adapted from “The Science of Pep Talks,” by Daniel McGinn, Harvard Business Review, July–August 2017.
Recent Comments