The Journey to an Emotional Speech
It’s no secret that effective communication is a crucial skill for any leader. It helps convey a vision, builds trust amongteams, and promotes conflict resolution. We know it requires preparation and that most of the time is generally spent writing the speech itself.
However, as much as the content matters, we would argue that the emotion behind those words is equally, if not more important. The truth in your message is only as good as your ability to share it. And that’s no easy task. So, how do we ensure our emotions are conveyed in a public speech?
1. Remember the purpose of your speech
Leaders agree to a speaking invitation not just for recognition, but to persuade an audience to join their cause. Therefore, the goal is to inspire people to do something different or to see the world differently.
As such, the first step is to understand why the issue you will be discussing is meaningful to you in the first place. Beforeyou begin drafting the speech, write down what makes you emotional (or in other words passionate or aggravated) about the issue.
The second step is to invite others to the cause. To make your vision appealing as you write your speech, you can use the following techniques to relate to people on an emotional level:
Metaphors: are easily and emotionally understood, without long explanations.
Stories and anecdotes: create a sense of human connection and make ideas relatable.
Use «We» not «I»: to underline the collective nature of your cause.
Rhetorical questions: anticipate the audience’s thoughts and signal that you relate.
Temporal stretches: illustrate your desired changes and make them feel important.
Repetition of central sentences: will help listeners to remember them and give them depth.
2. Practice your vocal and nonverbal presentation
Rehearse your speech aloud, and pay particular attention to the following aspects that help you tell a vivid story:
Speed and volume: to emphasise a point, it’s best to slow down and lower your voice. Though counterintuitive, this signals to the audience that it’s time to listen.
Animated voice: showcasing a wide vocal range is key. Displaying both highs and lows, instead of a monotonous pitch, is the way to grab an audience and keep them interested.
Pauses: in a speech, we often forget to pause, and yet it’s the most powerful tool in your arsenal since it indicates that what you just said or are about to say is important.
Body gestures: to support easy listening, use your hands and upper body to underline important points. For the most part, keep your hands in the space between shoulders and hips, and only go out of this zone for extremely emotional points.
Symbolic acts: to embody your message and motivate listeners to action, consider doing something symbolic (e.g., lighting a candle for hope, kneeling to show respect, saying “thank you” by pausing to shake someone’s hand).
3. Keep in mind podium etiquette
Anxiety is common on the day of the speech, but these tools can help boost confidence:
Make it as easy as possible for yourself: print the lines of your speech with triple spacing and only use the top 2/3 of the page to keep your eyes from dropping. Don’t hold your notes with your hands; place them on the podium.
Right before you give the speech, focus on your own emotions to be present: purposefully take two minutes to pay attention to your breathing and take in some conscious, deep inhales. Try to stand tall, focus on your spine and yourfeet on the ground to feel more confident.
Pay attention to your non-verbal communication: pick spots at the back of the room and avoid speaking to the front row. Alternate your gesturing hand throughout the speech or, if you have a hand-held microphone, consider walking a few steps after each major argument.
If you get nervous, resist speeding and instead slow down: calm yourself by taking out speed, and look up at the end of sentences as it forces you to pause and make eye contact. If you panic, try to take a second to breathe deeply into your stomach.
4. Be authentic
While these tools are important, the reality is that they won’t be as successful if you are not authentic about the topic or during your delivery. This is to say, don’t try to fake your emotions, body gestures, or facial expressions, because even with practice, they won’t come across as natural or believable.
Once you’re comfortable with the topic or theme for discussion, try to get a sense of how your audience might feel. Be upfront about shared emotions or potential disagreements and spend time trying to understand why others may feel the way they do. This will help create a sense of collectiveness and recipients will feel seen and understood.
Ultimately, giving a strong and memorable speech is not easy. A speech will succeed or fail depending on the quality of the ideas, your ability to connect with the audience, and the power of your rhetoric. It requires tools, practice, and vulnerability, but the consequences of succeeding are powerful and certainly worth the effort.
Cristina Rue - 02/2023.