How to Speak in a Way That Moves People to Action
Welcome back to Part 2 of our “From Silence to Significance” series! Last Saturday, we explored why public speaking matters so much for every leader. We discovered that there are two types of leaders, those who are skilled at their work but cannot speak effectively about it, and those who are skilled AND can speak powerfully about what they do.
Today, we are diving into part 2 – Find Your Authentic Voice. Because here is what nobody tells you, you can actually lose yourself while trying to find your voice.
To help you understand this better, I want to share a personal story about a mistake I made while learning to speak better, and how you can avoid falling into the same trap.
Personal Story
After I realized how important public speaking was to my effectiveness as a leader, I became like a sponge, soaking up everything I could from great speakers. I started watching others carefully, studying their every move and word. Two leaders particularly fascinated me, John Maxwell and Barack Obama.
John Maxwell had this amazing ability to start with a simple story and then draw out insightful lessons that made you think, “Wow, I never saw it that way before!” He could take a story about something as ordinary as buying coffee and turn it into a profound lesson about leadership.
Barack Obama, on the other hand, had this incredible way of engaging the audience by changing his pace and pitch when speaking. He would speak slowly and softly to draw you in, then speed up with passion when making an important point. His voice was like music, it had rhythm and melody that kept you listening.
I was so impressed by both of them that I started copying everything they did. When I told stories, I tried to sound exactly like Maxwell. When I wanted to emphasize a point, I mimicked Obama’s rhythm and tone.
But then something strange happened. People started telling me that I seemed different when I spoke in public. They said things like, “You do not sound like yourself” and “I feel like I do not really know the real you.” One friend even said, “You are starting to sound like a motivational speaker robot!”
That feedback hit me hard. In trying to become a better speaker, I had lost something precious, my authentic voice. I was becoming a copy of other people instead of the best version of myself.
When I noticed this, I knew I had to make a change. I had to unlearn some of the styles I had copied and adapt others to fit who I really am. It was like taking off clothes that did not fit and finding ones that were made just for me.
How to Avoid the Mistakes I Made
Let me save you from going through what I went through. Here is how you can learn from great speakers while still being yourself:
Choose Your Role Models Wisely
Pick two or three speakers that you really admire. But here is the important part, be very clear about WHY you chose them. Do not just pick them because they are famous. Pick them because something about their style connects with who you are inside. Maybe you love how they tell stories, or how they make complex things simple, or how they connect with their audience.
Select Specific Styles
Instead of trying to copy everything about your role models, choose just one or two specific things you like about their styles. Maybe you love how one speaker uses pauses for emphasis. Maybe you appreciate how another uses hand gestures. By choosing just a few things, you protect yourself from losing your own unique flavor.
Adapt to Your Personality
This is the most important step. Take those specific styles you have chosen and find ways to make them fit YOUR personality. If you are naturally quiet and thoughtful, you do not need to become loud and energetic. You can learn to tell stories in your calm, thoughtful way. If you are naturally funny, you do not need to become serious. You can deliver important messages while still making people smile.
For example, I loved Maxwell’s storytelling, but instead of copying his Southern drawl and slow pace, I tell stories in my own energetic way. I loved Obama’s varying pace, but instead of copying his exact rhythm, I found my own pattern that feels natural to me.
Pro Tip: Moving from silence to significance should not mean you lose your authenticity in the process. You can be significant and real at the same time. Learn from others but maintain your authentic voice. Your unique perspective and personality are gifts to the world, do not hide them while trying to become a better speaker.
Action Point
Record yourself speaking for just 2 minutes about something you are passionate about. It could be explaining your favorite hobby, talking about your work, or sharing why you love your favorite book. Listen to the recording and notice what makes you unique, maybe it is your enthusiasm, your thoughtfulness, your humor, or your warmth. Write down three things you like about your natural speaking style. These are the qualities you want to preserve and enhance as you grow as a speaker.
Remember, the world does not need another John Maxwell or Barack Obama. The world needs YOU, with your unique voice, your special perspective, and your authentic way of connecting with others.
Did this message resonate with you?
Share it with someone who needs to hear that their authentic voice matters. Sometimes the encouragement to be ourselves is the greatest gift we can give.
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Until next time, keep speaking, keep growing, but most importantly, keep being you!
Tom
