Hi Reader

When we create something, we want it to be really good. Don't we?

Yup, it could be anything. A speech, a book, an article, a painting or any creative work for the sake or argument.

Let's keep the scope to speeches. There'll come a point, where you go beyond basics and you'll learn advanced techniques for improving—persuasion, vocal variety, body language, storytelling. And you should too. That's when you'll keep learning and growing.

But there is a key thing to note. And most probably we get it wrong initially. Why? We force the technique and focus on the technique. And that's ok to start with. But you need to be careful that it's not making your message less clear.

Let’s say you learn the power of a dramatic pause. You decide to use it in your next speech. But in trying to pause for effect, your key point gets lost. The audience is confused. You’ve mastered the pause, but at the cost of clarity.

That’s backwards.

The right approach? Clarity first. Always.

1) Learn the technique. Study it, practice it, understand how it works.

2) Incorporate it. Use it in your speech where it fits naturally.

3) Check for clarity. If the technique muddies your message, tweak the technique—not the message.

Great speakers don’t bend their ideas to fit a technique. They adjust the technique to enhance their ideas. So next time you learn a new speaking skill, ask yourself: Does this make my message clearer? If not, refine it until it does.

Because a perfect technique means nothing if your audience doesn’t understand you.

As always, thanks for being awesome!

Rama