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The Portable
Executive: High-End Career
Management shows
executives how take control and
self-manage their careers in a
Post-Millennium Workplace where
portability has replaced job
security as a career-driver. Readers will learn how to assess and achieve goals, three ways to be portable whether you stay with one organization or want to move on, and creative steps to keep teams engaged and committed during change.
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What you Say As a Leader: Sound Bites Need to Sizzle |
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Organizations that I personally support |
"Memorable sound bites can galvanize
organizations, even countries. John F. Kennedy’s
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask
what you can do for your country” reflected and
inspired a generation, as did Thomas Paine’s
warning 185 years earlier that “These are the
times that try men’s souls,” and his admonition
not to be a “summer soldier” and a “sunshine
patriot.” The words and ideas mattered. The
brevity made them memorable. Short and simple
sentences or even single words can move masses
in organizations, like Jack Welch’s “boundarylessness,”
which reduced turf wars and the hoarding of
talent in General Electric. Sound bites are just
that; they’re not a full meal of ideas but tasty
tidbits that are easily digestible. To give them
pizzazz you need to add “punch and pause” so
that they are given their due.
Short sentences and sound bites can add sizzle to the language that you use at work. They show decisiveness and clarity, qualities that you want others in the workplace to associate with you. By contrast, long sentences can sound unsure, tentative and weak – not desirable leadership qualities at all. Your listeners don’t care for complexity or meandering when you speak. In fact, most people prefer short Anglo-Saxon words to Latin and Greek ones in spoken English. They’d much rather hear about your kids than your progeny. There is a sense of familiarity with short words and ideas while you get lost hearing long ones. What’s pause? You emphasize your important sound bites by pausing to a count of two after each phrase and to a count of three at the end of each sentence. If you listen to polished speakers, in almost every language, they have this rhythm to their speaking. It would be: “Ask not what your country can do for you (pause 1…2) ask what you can do for your country (pause 1…2…3…). When you pause, the words hang in the air so that your listeners can digest them properly. The rhythm of your speaking then supports your words the way keeping the beat supports a musical piece. In fact, a metronome, designed to keep the beat in music, will help you get better at keeping the beat in your talks. You “punch” when you add a bit of oomph to important words and ideas. So it would be: “Ask NOT (with punch) what your COUNTRY can do for you; ask what YOU can do for your country.” That punch will make people pay attention to the words that matter. In fact, in a presentation to a large audience you can accentuate your punch with gestures for extra oomph. Tone and volume are important too. Short sentences, punch and pause, and a low-pitched but clearly audible tone of voice that is easily heard make a powerful combination. Together they add up to the classic leader sound, known as “command tone.” Generals, principals, teachers and police all have it, and everyone knows that they are in charge. Craft your sound bites well and let them sizzle. As every restauranteur knows, people buy the sizzle and not the steak. They remember the excitement of the meal long after the taste is forgotten. And keep your sentences short with lots of pause and punch. Then they may love you or hate you but they’ll never forget what you said. |
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Vital Voices Global Partnership believes in the transformative value of women's participation in society. We invest in emerging women leaders - pioneers of economic development, political participation, and human rights in their countries - and we help them build the capabilities, connections, and credibility they need to unlock their potential as catalysts of global progress. To fulfill our mission, we build leadership capacity, facilitate strategic partnerships, recognize women leading change and enhance their credibility, and foster global connections among women. Our Global Leadership Network of women has become the vital voices of our time.
TAHIRIH WINS 2007 WASHINGTON POST
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN |
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The Executive Career Life Preserver...No Time 4 Theories Series |
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Your feedback is welcome; email me at karen@otazo.com To Your Knowing the Truth - Dr. Karen Otazo |
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