Career

Speaking Weell Can Fast-Track Your Career

In The Exceptional Presenter, consultant Timothy Koegel explains how to communicate more effectively, whether you're giving formal presentations, leading meetings, or meeting a client for lunch. The key, Koegel says, is practice. "Everyone I've ever studied who has made themselves exceptional—Churchill, Reagan—they've worked at it." Passion and organization are also common attributes among strong speakers, he says. U.S. News spoke with Koegel about how to be a better speaker and why it matters.

Why do people find it so difficult to communicate effectively?

People don't know how to prepare what they're going to say. Even with voicemail, people haven't thought it through until they hear the beep. If people aren't prepared, they're going to be less comfortable and more nervous.

Do you really need to prepare for leaving a voicemail?

It will be a better voicemail if you prepare for it. [Ask yourself], "What's the one thing I want this person to remember? What kind of action step do I want them to take in return?"

What are the most common mistakes people make?

Most people don't have any idea what they look and sound like when they're presenting, whether they're sitting at a conference table or talking to a group. They've never assessed how many ums and uhs they use. The way we deliver the message is more important than the message itself.