The message is not dull or unimportant it’s just some senior managers have the unfortunate capacity to wipe people’s memories. You try to remember, you even make notes but with in a minutes of a speech ending it’s as if you were never there. This is a problem for an organisation trying to get its mission statement /key messages across to employees. After all the sign of an effective leader  is some one who can give good , clear, memorable communication. You can’t inspire people if five minutes after you have finished speaking no one can recall what you said!

Road shows are popular way for senior  managers to get out and spread the word  to large groups of employees face to face and take a few questions. The same senior managers give the opening conference speech to set the tone and give out the key messages that will be reinforced through out the day/conference. But have you ever experienced asking someone who was there what was said only for them to say ,” nothing much” or “ He told us about his recent holiday”.

The holiday reference was intended to be an ice breaker the speaker thought it would make them seem more human unfortunately it was all some people remembered from a rather long, rambling explanation of the boards vision, strategy and priorities for the future. Such an experience is more common than senior managers would care to admit.

 It is of course true that colleagues are reluctant to provide uncomplimentary feedback. So if you are some one advising a senior manager on their speech or you are about to go on a road show or open a conference here are a few things to think about.

Keep it brief and relevant. Nothing test an audience powers of concentration more than a long speech as they wait for the bit that applies to them. Poor and unnecessary use of technology is an unhelpful distraction e.g. cluttered overheads with bullet points winging in from different directions. It’s more authentic to simply talk provided you’re not reading from a script ( written by communications). It’s a good idea to write your speech but then memorise it. This will enable you to convey enthusiasm and passion. And if it’s not an upbeat message sincerity and compassion.

Even if you’re speaking to an audience of managers avoid management jargon especially the latest Americanisation. It’s surprising how many people use management jargon without knowing what it means, you may have a clear understanding but you can’t assume everyone else does. If you do use comparisons such as the sinking boat, the alligator infested swamp or the low hanging fruit then give the audience the full explanation.

Draining the alligator infested swamp as opposed to putting up warning notices is an illustration of a dramatic change approach. If the boat is sinking it’s not enough to bail out the water you need to plug the holes.- there is more than one priority so we have to do several things at the same time. We have picked all the low hanging fruit – there are no more easy options/solutions left we now need to tackle the harder- to reach ones.)