Communicating through public speaking does not have to be long and laborious. In fact, for recollection purpose concise and clear are the keys. John Maxwell states, “You don’t have to speak a long time to say a lot. It’s not the number of words you use. it’s the impact you have with the words you use.”
The Gettysburg Address is one of the most memorable speeches of all time. Its impact has echoed over the ages. It took President Lincoln 2 minutes to deliver it. It contained only 272 words.
It takes a great deal of work, effort, and thoughtfulness to communicate powerfully in a short amount of time.
John Maxwell in his book, The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication, shares these points to help us boil things down.
Less is more.
Clarity is power.
Clear is kind.
Everything must be as simple as possible.
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it.
Stop trying to impress the audience.
Start helping your audience.
Get to your point before people start asking, “What’s the point?”
Say what’s important over again
Say it simply, say it slowly, say it with a smile
Thirty years ago I was giving a speech at an event. I was the last speaker on the program. Many who preceded me took more than their allotted time. When it finally got to me I was to begin my talk past the program time frame.
The person who introduced me was a friend. He emceed the program. He was gracious in his introduction. It was evident to both of us that the crowd was checking out.
He introduced me. Before getting to the podium we embraced. I said in his ear, “I’m done in 15 minutes and you buy me a steak.” He agreed.
My talk was to be 30-45 minutes. I was done in 15. I got a wonderful steak dinner. I learned then that it is what and how you communicate things more than the time it takes you to say them.