Q: What are the secrets of being an excellent communicator? A: Being someone who is founded in integrity, truthfulness, sincerity and congruence.

Q: How important is good communication as a leadership skill? A: It's number one on the list - but ignorant corporates still think hatchet men who cut, slash and burn the staff component are number one.

Q: Is good communication and the art of excellent public speaking a talent or a learned skill? A: It's the Edison formula: 1% inspiration or talent and 99% hard work - with rare exceptions. Anyone who wants to, can, with effort become a darned good speaker.

Q: How important is the content/message? A: Paradoxically, sometimes not as important as the process - the 'how' - of what you do. That's why misleading motivational speakers still manage to thrive. However, the process can only ever be the packaging for the content. So watch it!

Q: How important is delivery/confidence/speaking well? A: This falls into the realm of linguistic intelligence. I've recently sat through listening to a woman with a great mind, great ideas and dreadful linguistic intelligence. The greatest idea is worth little if badly communicated. Confidence is a separate issue - it may be acted. It won't be sustainable that way of course, but it can fool some of the people some of the time. Confidence at its best is not situational. When you're confident, even outside of your comfort zone or field of expertise, that's probably real confidence. Confidence is also the visible expression of healthy self-worth.

Q: How can you develop speaking confidence? A: By focusing on and further developing what you do well. Circumcising mosquitoes doesn't change anything. Identify your forte - and go with it. If you can't pinpoint it - go to someone who can.

Q: What techniques can people use to make their speeches interesting? A: Bear in mind the 'U-shape' of concentration spans. You need to start well, finish well and have anecdotes, analogies, what I call 'soufflé moments' (light touches and humour) in between to maintain the attention levels.

Q: Does voice coaching help? A: There's an Eastern expression: 'You can teach a parrot to speak whatever language you will. But the day a cat catches it, it will revert to its original tongue.' Most 'voice coaching' is a money-making racket and is unsustainable. If there's a very specific defect, such as lack of projection, poor articulation, lack of resonance etc., these things can be modified with a degree of success. But it's like antibiotics. You have to take 'em regularly, over a period. Voice work requires enormous commitment.

Q: Does going to groups like 'toastmasters' help? A: Emphatically - but only to a point. Thereafter it becomes the blind leading the blind. Rules-based teaching is necessary at kindergarten level. Later you need a mentor who can unleash your uniqueness - if you have it - and that's an art, never a science.

Q: Does mentoring or hiring in experts like speech consultants and speechwriters help? A: Mentoring's wonderful. There are plenty of people around who can assist in taking speeches and presentations to the next level. It's at the top level that a special and similarly gifted individual can and will make the difference. They're in short supply.

Q: How do you beat stress and nerves before a big board meeting or delivering a key talk to analysts, investors or your staff? A: Nervousness' is a label. It's often driven by inappropriate and perfectionistic fear of failure. Having butterflies is not only normal but necessary. Without them, you'll slide into mediocrity. Acknowledge them, celebrate them, welcome them as your energy source and use them!

Q: How can you make contact with your audience in a meaningful way? A: By being utterly you. Carl Jung spoke of 'authentic presence'. Meaning we're physically, intellectually, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually 'there' - in the moment. Part of us is not trouble-shooting another issue in another neurological department. Carl Rogers spoke of 'Congruence' - in computing terms, WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). Meaning that what's on the inside becomes visible (if appropriate to the circumstances) on the outside. There's nothing to beat authenticity when it comes to making a real connection with an audience.

Q: How can you improve from talk to talk - how can you measure and improve on your performance? A: The best possible mechanism is to have a video camera locked off in medium shot or have someone unobtrusively tape you. Seeing and hearing yourself is the quickest and most efficient way of constantly improving your game.

Q: How can you create a high impact opening and strong closing? A: By finding something - a situation, a story, an example - relevant to the audience, and preferably with a touch of humour or emotion. Don't do summaries at the end. Only poopy presentations require a 'What I was trying to tell you' type approach.

Q: Are there any things you shouldn't do when giving a talk? A: Don't assume a superior attitude or think that your audience knows less than you do. Be respectful in language (don't cuss) dress, demeanour and content. Custom-craft the event for them - always doing the same tired old routine because 'it works' is simply unprofessional and a cop-out.

Q: Anything else that is important? A: Move to the next level of communicating, which in intuition-based. There are few speakers and presenters in that locale. Prepare your mind and your being beforehand through prayer, meditation or a process in which you open yourself to the influence and inspiration of the Universe, God, the Wise Ones, the Ancestors or whomever you choose to have aid you. If it sounds daft, it isn't. Universal wisdom is happy to flow through us, if invited and respected. And if we promise not to take 'ownership' of any applause, approval or adulation following from it. We are the instrument, not the author.

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About the Author

Clive Simpkins is a change architect and strategist. http://www.imbizo.com