Originating from the courtroom, soccer and the public generally have a good opinion of me as a lawyer. In fact, public speaking las integral to a lawyer as bread is to a sandwich; but stepping into that arena down there feels like walking across a tightrope over the lion ‘s den. Managing a leading a law firm also means cultivating public speaking ability, which is like juggling with swords on fire – it gets the adrenaline flowing, but you know that the moment you lose your balance, you’re dead.
When standing in front of a jury or audience you should have them nodding along, every word something they understand, but only half consciously. Picture a young lawyer tremulously getting up on stage, his palms sweaty, his voice trembling. ‘Don’t picture him in his underwear,’ my colleague said softly. The nervous titter this remark drew broke the ice, and there followed an extremely poised performance. Sometimes, humor is the secret ingredient that turns nervousness into eloquence.
Think of public speaking as making a souffle. It requires precision but when you imbue it with spirit, it comes alive. If one merely recites the facts like a legal handbook gone to seed-yeuch! But transpose feelings, anecdotes, and charisma on top. Your narrative will become a dazzling sight, not just a kind of on-stage performance.
At times, leading a legal team is like being captain of a pirate ship. Every lawyer has an individual character and getting them all to row in one direction can be quite problematic; in engaging them, understanding their idiosyncracies and guiding them gently you need both stamina and wit. Personally, I’ve found that holding a surprise Friday pizza evening with the legal secretaries does amazing things for firm morale. Nothing brings people together quite like their shared love of cheese!
At the same time, however, engaging an audience demands both art and science. The experienced speaker knows how to use silence, allowing it to heighten a message much as a spotlight might. Taking a leaf from late-night television hosts-a well-placed pause can sometimes carry more resonances than words ever could.
Public speaking is like assembling an outfit. You have your basic wardrobe but change of accessories at the drop a hat, so to speak A barrister giving a lecture will not talk the same way as when he ‘s pleading a case in court. For this reason, versatility is invaluable-as great a skill as it is to change tack midcourse when sailing.
A successful leader will mix good repute, charm and unambiguous speech. If the leader is good at speaking, the firm will succeed. Therefore, whether your purpose is to rally your employees or captivate your customers, strive after these speaking skills. Load your speeches with stories; feed leadership from the marrow of empathy and give your organization direction like a conductor leading an orchestra into tune.