In today’s world, leaders are expected to be extremely articulate. Whether you’re a CEO, a government official, or a minister, it’s profoundly important that you are able to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively. After all, if you can’t get your point across, how can you expect others to follow your lead? Being articulate in speech is the ultimate of skills to gain the upper hand in any interaction, thus setting you up for a path of success.

There are a many reasons why being articulate is so of utmost importantance for leaders. First and foremost, it allows you to better share your vision with others. If you can’t articulate what you want to achieve, it will be difficult for others to understand your goals and objectives. Secondly, being articulate demonstrates confidence. When you’re able to speak eloquently and without hesitation, it shows those around you that you believe in what you’re saying and you are capable and comptent. Lastly, being articulate gives you the ability to influence others. If people can understand your words and see the logic behind your thoughts, they’re more likely to be swayed by your argument.

Fortunately, being articulate is a skill that can be learned. And, like any other skill, the more you practice, the better you will become at it. Here are six tips to help you start articulating your speech:

1. Know your audience: The first step in being persuasive is understanding who you are trying to persuade. What are their needs? What are their concerns? What will resonate with them? Tailor your message accordingly and you’ll be more likely to win them over.

2. Make a clear and concise argument: Once you know who you’re talking to, it’s time to make your case. Start by outlining your main points and supporting evidence. Then, remove any superfluous information—you want to make sure your argument is clear and easy to follow. Remember, when it comes to persuasion, less is often more. 

3. Use concrete evidence and examples: Abstract concepts can be hard to wrap our minds around. That’s why it’s important to use concrete evidence and examples when making your case. This could include data, personal stories, analogies, or anything else that will help illustrate your point. 

4. Be confident in your delivery: To be persuasive, you need to believe in what you’re saying—if you don’t, why should anyone else? So take some time to practice beforehand so that you can deliver your message with confidence. Remember to speak slowly and clearly, maintain eye contact, and use open body language. 

5. Use strong language: The words you use in your speech can make a big difference in its impact. Avoid using filler words such as “um” or “like” which can make you sound unprepared or unsure of yourself. Instead, use strong, powerful language that commands attention and conveys confidence. Choose words that are specific and concrete so that there is no room for interpretation or misunderstanding. 

6. Speak with conviction: Your tone of voice is just as important as the words you use when you are delivering a speech. If you sound bored or disinterested in what you’re saying, your audience will be too. So make sure you infuse your speeches with enthusiasm and conviction. Practice beforehand so that you know exactly what you want to say and how you want to say it. Record yourself giving the speech and then listen back to see if there are any areas where you need improvement. 

If you want to be an effective leader and speaker as well, it’s not enough to just have great ideas—you need to be able to articulate those ideas in a way that is clear, concise, and persuasive. Fortunately, being articulate is a skill that can be learned with practice. By following these six tips above you can start developing the power of persuasion and be the articulate leader your sought out to be today.

For more articles like this by Omar M. Almahmoud follow him on Linkedin or visit his website www.theintellect.ae