These tips were published by the Center for Creative Leadership.
Adjustment to others
One of the most effective ways to ensure other people like listening to you is to adjust your speech to theirs. Use the same expressions, same gestures and the same energy, and you will see how quickly you get the other person on your side.
Measured, yet self-confident speech
Your voice should express calm and deliberation, but also confidence. If your delivery is weak and timid, unfortunately no one will take you seriously. Show you mean what you say by speaking boldly enough.
Pauses and silence
People are often so happy they get to speak that they start talking endlessly. However, short silences can be an extremely powerful tool that enhances some parts of your speech and attaches importance to certain words. So do not be afraid to make pauses and allow others enough time to process what you are saying.
No rushing
The previous point is connected to this piece of advice: do not hurry. When someone is trying to say as much as they can in one go, they seem like they are afraid others are not listening or taking them seriously.
Intonation and emphasis
Intonation, stress, pauses: these are very effective tools that can help highlight the importance of certain parts of your speech. When you reach the key point of your message, always emphasise it and try to structure the delivery in some way. It should not be just one long monotonous stream of words.
No pessimism
This final point is also one of the most important ones. People do not want to listen to pessimists or someone who is badmouthing others. Try to view things in a positive manner and convey this attitude also in how you talk.
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