How to Increase your Impact when you Speak

A snail can sleep for 3 years.

Why is that relevant? It’s absolutely not, but I’ve got your attention, right?  Let me get straight to the crux of the matter:

Impact starts with attention.

If you want to increase your level of impact when you speak, start with getting and sustaining attention.

Now I’m not recommending starting with a totally unrelated statement, but what I am highlighting is this:

how you start, may have a considerable impact on the success of the communication, overall.

In the Irish language we have an expression which translates as “A good start is half the work”, or “a good start is half the battle.” And as poetic as that may sound, there is scientific reason as to why that is not only poetic, but also true.

According to the Psychological Theory of Serial Position Effect – also known as Primary Recency Effect – a person tends to recall the first and last items best (and recall the middle items, worst, naturally). If we want to have impact, start with the start. Literally.

Ask yourself, how do you normally open meetings, kick off a presentations or launch into giving feedback? If we’re honest with ourselves, most of us usually open with lack-lustre welcomes and formalities. Now consider your alternatives. What might captivate your audience or listener? Here are some suggestions:

• Open with a personal anecdote. Keep it short and colourful, don’t overindulge.

• Take a poll. Personally, I love to use menti. It never fails to raise the energy levels in the room and get everyone engaged.

• Show a video clip. A reliable, classic strategy. Keep the length short and message punchy.

• Ask a provocative question. Questions are a great way engage, empower and to foster a coaching culture.

All simple to implement strategies, but openings that pack a punch. Engagement is the speaker’s responsibility.

A snail can sleep for 3 years… and so, too, can our audience, if we don’t engage them!

You’ve only got one chance to make a first impression, be unapologetically bold about it, and make it count.