Speak from your heart

Wow, the entire room just broke out in applause!

I just witnessed that in a Board of Trustees meeting after a speech by one of our newly appointed presidents. These meetings are usually formal but her message  touched us deeply. She spoke from her heart! We knew she was the right person to be the new president as she shared her story as a first generation college student herself, who now lives and breathes the urban metro university life.

Getting comfortable speaking from your heart can be a challenge, but learning how to do it will help you communicate in ways that truly share your message and literally compel people to listen.

Anett Grant, president of Executive Speaking, Inc., shares five steps for speaking from the heart in her 4 Minute Read in FastCompany.

1. Tell a powerful opening story from your own life. Open yourself up to bring your audience closer to you.
2. Make sure your story directly connects to your overall message. This ensures that it is your message that is retained and influences people, not just the story.
3. Connect your message to your audience’s own experiences. Help your audience clearly recognize how your message is relevant to them.
4. Share a brief concluding story. Bring your message home by telling a personal story that relates to your overall message but adds a different aspect.
5. Wrap up! Conclude with a brief summation of your message to ensure that people clearly understand your key points.

People may not always applaud, but when you speak from your heart your message gets through.

Todd Thorsgaard