Here's how you can tailor your communication style to engage diverse audiences.

Regardless of the Audience there are a few non-negotiables in communication that instantly captures the attention of people and keeps them hooked 1. Authenticity - Honesty and authenticity are the most likeable and notable attributes, so focus primarily on that, be genuine, curious, respectful and inclusive. 2. Storytelling - People don't like boring stuff filled with mere facts and figures, everyone loves listening to interesting stories and that's something you should focus on, building a great story and communicating your message with real life anecdotes that is relatable to most people and evokes emotions. Just by being a little more mindful and incorporating these simple elements, you can manage to cater a diverse range of audience.

Explore the various aspects of your audience to give you a feel of the calibre,professional background and preferences. This gives you proper direction on how you will customise and align your presentation. Be considerate of cultural diversity and don't overuse complex jargons that throw off the audience.

Accepting a contract to deliver a signature presentation in Vietnam, I made every effort to understand the audience. I spoke to other persons who presented in that country and I learned 3 things. Unlike Western audiences, there is little or no interaction as they see the instructor as the expert. Take out that time allocated for role plays, etc. and ensure you have enough content to carry you through. Secondly, don't speak with your hands in your pockets - they see this as disrespectful. Similarly, don't point - use your open hand instead. I used this research to prepare me for that assignment and I practiced over and over to make sure that no-one was offended. It worked. Make sure you do your homework.

The assumption behind this article is that the intended readers are not wannabe stand up comedians, but are leaders of organisations / teams who want to be more effective communicators or are public speakers at conferences. Humour is hard to play - it is very much an individual preference and is far too easy to misjudge it. It is certainly highly important to know who the audience is and what you are there for. They are going to be with you for a time and it is on you to make sure that it is a good use of their time and attention. Understand their preferences and the questions they are looking to be answered in your talk is a good start. Some people speak to a few people prior to the talk to understand their perspective.

Presenting to a non- native English speaking audience at a trade forum in Cuba, I had to do a few things differently. Even though I had a translator, I rehearsed using a much slower speaking pace, both for the benefit of the translator and the audience. I also paused every 8 words or so to make it easy for the translator to keep up. I also practiced using very simple language (understand instead of comprehend; company instead of enterprise, etc.) that would make it easier to comprehend. I also used much more arm movement and gestures where appropriate and pictures on my slides to assist with their comprehension.

Language is a big deal which can make or break your presentation. Diversity brings sensitivities to how language is used as it means different things to different people. Use a language that is well understood and relatable. Stay away from offensive jokes and expressions which can elicit negative emotions.

Language is hard to get right. Most of us can easily use metaphors, jargon, or even visual language that might be confusing. This can create a significant barrier for neurodiverse listeners and those whose English isn't their first language. For a bunch of quick tips I find the yellow book "Is that clear?" really helpful. There's also a blue version that's filled with tips for clearer communication for neurodivergent people.

The fine tuned use of appropriate language allows you to convey ideas and ideas with the right emotional nuances. it can show how connected you are to the audience. If you use the similar words to what the audience would use (even internally), allows for better connection. Also, it is good to use language that you naturally speak in. If you were to use unfamiliar words especially complex long words, you will have more challenges with connecting with the audience.

Stories give the emotional context for your message. Stories help the audience to engage with your message or idea. Stories are about giving the audience an experience that they can take back with them and help to inspire them.

Stories help build deeper connection and add spice to your presentation. A well told story cannot be forgotten and it can be a great start for your talk. Take advantage of tonal variation in your story telling to build more emphasis.

Visual aids can be a powerful ally in communicating with a diverse audience. They transcend language barriers and help clarify complex points effectively. My preference is to use minimal or no bullet points, favoring big bold key points and mainly images. This approach allows the audience to focus on the message and delivery, creating a more emotive connection. People remember stories more than a fact sheet; while facts are important, they need to be highlighted in key points to reinforce your message. Be mindful of color symbolism and imagery, as these can have different connotations across cultures. Thoughtful visual aids enhance understanding and retention of your message, making your communication more impactful and inclusive.

Being a strong public speaker means being able to read the room and know your audience. Effective speakers make strong connections and inspire and empower their audiences. Your presentation will not have near the impact you want it to if you're talking past your audience.

Flexibility is crucial when engaging with diverse audiences. Be prepared to adapt on the fly if you sense that certain parts of your presentation aren't resonating. This might mean changing up your examples, slowing down your speech, or even altering the structure of your presentation. Pay close attention to the audience's body language and feedback cues. Your ability to pivot and adjust in real time demonstrates respect for your audience and a commitment to effective communication. By being adaptable, you ensure your message is received and understood, regardless of the audience's background or expectations.

Don't focus your attention on adapting your "communication style." If you focus on adapting the words that you use, the tone of your voice or your body language, without the deeper work on WHY, you'll only end up creating an "effect." An "effect" is only surface deep and inauthentic. People pick up on this. Focus your attention on your audience and their needs. Be as present as possible in the room with them. Be brave enough to listen to them. As you grow empathy for your audience, your communication will adapt naturally to the needs in the room, rather than you artificially controlling it. Get it from your audience. They're always speaking. Make sure you're listening.