Become More Articulate With Your Ideas - 6 Practical Tips
Ever found yourself in a conversation where you're desperately trying to explain something important, but your words just seem to trip over themselves? It's like you're driving down a road, and suddenly, you hit a pothole and... whoops, there goes your train of thought! Or maybe you are more like me and just continue rambling, but it also doesn’t go anywhere. Whatever camp you’re finding yourself in- I share with you some of the tips, tools, and strategies that have worked for me to smooth out those bumpy roads and become clearer in my communication.
Since I’m all for frameworks, processes, and structures, I of course also have one on this topic of thinking on your feet and speaking clearly.
First things first: Know Your Barriers
I’m sure you’ve been in situations where you speak super confidently and clearly, no drama at all and then there are other situations where you hardly get a straight word out there. At least, that’s what I have experienced. And there are really only 3 reasons why this happens:
Lack of Confidence with the Topic or Content: If you're not confident with the topic or content, it's natural to stumble over your words. The solution? Get familiar with the topic or the content that will be discussed or brush up on your knowledge beforehand and practice articulating your thoughts. That’s why meeting agendas are sent out prior to meetings.
Worrying Too Much About Others' Perceptions: Sometimes, we're so concerned about how others perceive us that it affects our ability to communicate effectively. Remember, everyone has moments of uncertainty, and it's okay to ask questions or admit when you don't know something.
Feeling Inadequate to Contribute: Imposter syndrome can make us feel like we don't have anything valuable to say, even when we do. Remind yourself of your expertise and the unique perspective you bring to the table.
Tip 2: Always Think Context Over Content
Now that we've identified some common barriers to clear communication, let's explore a key strategy for overcoming them.
Too often, we want to get it all over and done with but often don’t take various levels of knowledge and background insights from the participants into consideration. Here's where painting a clearer picture comes in handy to ensure everyone is on the same page. Highlight the challenge, address what has been done about it or is recommended to solve the issue, and then either talk about previous results or expected changes from these recommendations. The Hero's Journey follows a similar structure, capturing attention, maintaining engagement, and enhancing content memorability.
Tip 3: Use Simple Structures
When speaking on the spot, simplicity is key. Use straightforward structures like:
Idea + Example + Discussion: Share your idea, give an example, and open it up for discussion.
What, So What, Now What: Explain what the key message is, why it matters, and what the next steps are.
Problem, Solution, Benefit: State the problem, propose a solution, and highlight the benefits.
Tip 4: Have a System
The number 1 reason why people don’t stay consistent and with that, don’t get better at whatever they attempt doing is not having set up a repeatable system in the background that makes it easy to incorporate it into their routine. One of my team members says she’s trying to get up earlier to exercise but hasn’t been able to stick to it because she doesn’t know what to actually do in the gym. Now of course, that makes the new routine even harder because not only is it uncomfortable enough to get up early when you’re usually a late riser but on top of that, you also have to use cognitive energy on something that isn’t natural to you yet either. Reducing the friction by having a system is the way to go and you can use this simple, yet super effective strategy for everything: content creation, improving your communication, pitching to speaking opportunities, building your network, establishing a new life routine … you name it.
So what’s the system for speaking clearer and more concise?
Preparation: Before speaking, take time to organize your thoughts. This can involve jotting down key points, outlining your speech, or mentally rehearsing what you want to say.
Practice: Practice speaking regularly, whether it's in front of a mirror, with a friend, or recording yourself. This helps refine your delivery and identify areas for improvement.
Feedback: Seek feedback from others on your speaking skills. This could be from a mentor, colleague, or even through recording and self-assessment.
Continuous Learning: Continuously seek opportunities to improve your speaking skills. This could involve taking public speaking courses, attending workshops, or studying successful speakers.
Reflection: Reflect on your speaking experiences and identify what worked well and what didn't. Use this feedback to adjust and refine your approach.
Tip 5: Expand your Vocabulary
Tony Robbins already said that proximity is powerful, meaning: being close to someone you admire or look up to. Nowadays, there is no reason to not learn from the best since we have access to all shapes of forms of knowledge.
It may be by reading a book or listening to one. My favourite way to consume content is listening to podcasts at double speed as in single speed, I literally don’t hear a thing. Probably because I’m also quite a fast speaker myself which I’ve been working on to change that. But the point is; you need to find a way to consume content regularly from people you respect and resonate with. For me, I have a handful of non-negotiables that i listen to because not only do they have outstanding vocabulary but also excellent metaphors and analogies that I often get inspired by to use it in my own words. Some of them are: Alex and Leila Hormozi, Jay Abraham, Peter Diamondis
Tip 6: Put Learnings in Practise Often
Consuming content is great, but if you don’t apply it, it’s a waste of time. I understand that you’re busy and might be thinking, "I don’t have time for that." However, this is where having a system behind the madness comes into play.
Personally, I take notes for every podcast I listen to, every YouTube video I watch, and every conversation that sparks an idea.
While I've tried fancier tools to capture my thoughts, I always come back to simple iPhone notes, saving content directly on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, and storing longer-form documents on Google Drive.
I may not always act on them immediately, but I revisit them, usually on a Sunday when I create content for the month ahead. Since I also create content for clients, I follow the same process. This is where having a brand style guide with tone, voice, approved emojis, and content pillars comes in handy. The ideas I gather are used for different clients.
For instance, after watching the series "Ted Lasso" and loving it, I noticed similarities between one of my CEO clients and the main character. So, I adapted one of his taglines to match her personality and leadership style, creating content around this overarching statement.
Conclusion
By using these tips and frameworks, you can start smoothing out those bumpy roads in your conversations. Remember, it’s all about practice and finding what works best for you. Keep reflecting, keep improving, and soon you'll find yourself thinking and speaking more clearly on your feet.
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