Found a phrase that is a tip-off more than perhaps any other that a speaker is not bound by Rule #1. It’s very prevalent. I’ve used it. We should all ban it from our vocabulary. The phrase is any one that starts with “I want…” Some examples:
- I want to cover…
- I want to tell you…
- I want you to know…
- I want to press on and finish this section…
- I want to start class back at …
- I want to go back and cover…
- I want to digress for a minute…
It just proves to the audience that you’re not there for them. It’s selfish. And used a lot, it really undermines the message that you try to give.An audience is selfish. But they’re supposed to be — they had a choice to come. And we as speakers should give them what they need and want, not what we want. It’s a simple paradigm shift that means everything to the speaker who desires to communicate effectively.
Always be audience-centric in your content and wording.
My favorite is “Let me tell you…” or “Let me say…” or anything that makes it sound like I am keeping them from saying or doing something.Love the blog, keep up the good work.Jeff