Talk Your Way to the Top: How to Address Any Audience Like Your Career Depends On It

Do:

• Deliver the news as soon as possible, to preempt the rumor mill.

• Speak with energy and physical skills to support your message.

• Help your audience see the light at the end of the tunnel.

• Anticipate questions. Develop answers. Your credibility is on the line.

Don’t:

• Hedge! Instead, be direct and to the point.

• Leave out the rationale. They might see the news through the wrong filter, which puts both the news and you in a negative light.

• Be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” Nothing erodes credibility faster than being caught in an untruth.

• Talk too long. Ten minutes maximum. Your audience will be feeling the force of the blow. Respect that.