How do you make people stop and listen?
After years spent preparing for interviews, both asking and answering questions. And even more following the big news interviews, I wanted to summarise what makes me really listen:
1. Paint me a picture – literally. Use language with colour, imagery and stories to help me make an emotional connection with what you are talking about.
2. Vocal power. Use your tone of voice, pauses and stress on critical words, to make it feel like you’re talking directly to me.
3. Hold my hand. Lead me through what you’re saying by keeping it simple, impactful and ultimately memorable.
Image credit: Magda Ehlers