Effective Speech Is Important To Whole Concept Of Leadership

Abdirahman Said Mohamed, Hargeisa

Man, it has been said, is the only animal, that can talk himself into trouble. He is also the only one that can talk himself out of it again. The ability to do either depends on speech, the oral presentation of idea.

Today, perhaps more than ever, the communication of ideas is essential in social life, politics, and business. Effective speech can be extremely valuable for leaders.

Speaking in public requires subject matter pertinent to the occasion. Effective speech needs a high degree of self-confidence and a voice capable of expressing a variety of meanings; the most interesting talks grow out of personal feelings and experiences.

Select a subject in which you are interested. Then consider how much interest it will have for an audience. Consider carefully the background and the main interest of the group you will speak to. An urban group, for instance, is not likely to be interested in the problem of crop rotation. Instinctively, human beings dislike and fear the unknown.

The only possible purpose of a speech is to get a favorable response, often-definite action, from your audience. Any speech must appeal to at least one fundamental human interest. Probably the most important human interest is the desire for security.

Because they obey the law of self-preservation or self-interest, human beings have a natural desire to acquire things. Every man’s self-interest is balanced by his charity and humanitarianism.

Every man desires recognition. He wants to be regarded as important. This motive is used to interest persons in such goals as good government, good schools, crime control, low price, and clean streets. Other human motives are loyalties, pity, fear, rivalry, and interest in struggle and conflict.

You want to get the audience listen to you. You must rivet their attention on yourself. The traditional way of getting attention is to tell a joke.

The ability to express thoughts clearly and concisely is important to whole concept of leadership. It is your chief means of adjustment to, and control of, your social environment. Those with whom you associated cannot read thoughts, so if you wish to convey your thoughts to them effectively, you must translate those thoughts into speech. It follows then that you are concerned with the effect of speech on other people.

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives