The figure and philosophy of
Winston Churchill is an indelible feature of the British psyche. Quotes from
his speeches, his likeness, and his achievements as a leader at one of the
pivotal moments in modern British history are referenced on a daily basis. He
consistently tops the polls ranking historical British prime ministers and he
even made a cameo in the opening ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic
Games.
Churchill’s successes are
well documented, but what was so special about his qualities as a leader that
enabled him to achieve those successes, and how can these qualities be made
relevant for the modern meetings environment?
Script what you say
Churchill knew that radio and
print were the most powerful weapons at his disposal to inspire his people, so
he used his skills as an orator and writer to craft his messages to get maximum
impact. Today, most corporate presenters build a PowerPoint deck and then “wing
it” with their verbal delivery. The result is typically messages that are
quickly forgotten.
Preparation is paramount
It is said that Churchill
spent one hour on every finished minute of his speeches. In reality this is
unlikely, but it’s a useful discipline to emulate. Many executives feel they
don’t need rehearsals or preparation, a practice to which Mr. Churchill would
take great exception. The greatest permers in the world spend more time
rehearsing than they do in concert – a useful habit for any executive to
emulate. You are never too good to prepare fully and rehearse.
Use sound bites
Churchill was a master of the
unforgettable sound bite. Proclamations like “We will fight them on the
beaches” and “Never, never, never give up” have become as famous
as the man himself. Churchill used powerful, short words and clever phrases
that he knew would stick in his people’s minds and hearts.
Be passionate
Churchill’s passion helped
save the world. His bulky, stout frame and advancing years belied a force of
delivery that those hearing him couldn’t fail to swept along by. If you aren’t
passionate about what you’re saying, you cannot expect your audience to be
engaged.
Know what you want people to
feel
When we ask many executives
what they want their people to think and feel after their presentation, they do
not know. Churchill knew exactly what he wanted people to think and feel, and
everything he did was focused on achieving it. Be clear on your outcome, and
craft everything toward achieving it.
– Doug Keeley is the Founder of innovative leadership training company, The Mark of a Leader. For the
past eight years, The Mark of a Leader has worked with a range of major
businesses in North America – including Accenture, Johnson & Johnson,
Microsoft, Royal & Sun Alliance, and Starbucks – to create engaging and
effective meetings. The Mark of a Leader has just opened in the UK with a view
to bringing Keeley unique vision of engagement to the European market.
Any comments? Email conferencenews@mashmedia.net
