The New Articulate Executive: Look, Act and Sound Like a Leader, 2nd Edition

E Is For Ear

Make sure you speak in ordinary language. Resist the temptation to talk in the “secret handshake” and “memo” language of your business or discipline. The toughest three feet of your life can be simply the transition from talking sitting down to talking standing up. Many of us seem to speak more formally and less conversationally on our feet than we do sitting down. In other words, we stop being ourselves and start presenting. For most people, that stylistic difference means a marked slide in effectiveness. The trick is to be consistently conversational whether sitting down or standing up.

We are always at our best when we are ourselves, speaking conversationally in everyday, ordinary language. Whatever barriers exist between you ...