How To Speak With Impact When Time Is Short

One of the most fun and unexpected opportunities I've been able to take on during my entrepreneurial career is moderating panels. In a short amount of time, you can learn valuable expertise from inspiring and intriguing leaders!

From my panel with Indra Nooyi (former CEO of Pepsi) and Padmasree Warrior (CEO of Fable) I learned the importance of knowing your unique value proposition, knowing when to move on from a role and how to get comfortable with doubt as a leader.

From my panel with Arianna Huffington and Padmasaree Warrior I learned valuable lessons about managing stress and that "You can complete something by dropping it" as Arianna says.

A local and recent panel with top CEOs in my hometown (Omaha, NE) taught me the importance of investing in yourself, building a strong culture and fostering your community for support if you want to advance successfully as a leader.

Big Impact, Short Timeframe

The primary thing I've learned from watching these leaders share their wisdom is how well they communicate a clear and compelling message in a compressed timeframe. When you speak on a panel, you typically have 1-5 minutes at the most to convey a message your audience will remember.

This is no different in the workplace as you advance in the organization. With a higher-level audience, the stakes rise and the time shortens to show up confidently, deliver a clear message, and make the asks you need. How do you cut through the noise to clearly articulate your unique point of view, your value and compel others to act?

The key to success isn’t to add more content, but to subtract for clarity.

Boost Your Peace

It’s so common to let nerves and doubt get the best of us, keeping us silent in the meeting, only to think of everything we wanted to say after it ends.???

As women level up, greater exposure to new leaders and audiences can bring more doubt and nerves, and that’s not surprising. Studies show that 75% of the population fears public speaking in some form and people are experiencing social anxiety returning to in-person group settings.

To calm your nerves, a strategy I've used for years, and have shared with my clients, is to take deep 4-count breaths before you speak, present or go on a stage. Will it completely remove the doubt and nerves? NO! Those are healthy, human emotions, however it will regulate them a bit.

Remember, you can share your message successfully while also feeling nervous (which is exactly what a few of the CEOs admitted to me during these experiences!).

Boost Your Potential

To ensure that you land a message that will resonate with your audience, they key is not to jam-pack it with content. They key to making an impact is subtraction, not addition. Here are tips you can try if you are called to speak on panel, respond on the spot or maximize a "hallway" chat with your leader:

• Keep your answers succinct, what is the one thing you can share about your topic that will have the greatest impact for the audience?
• Create sticky statements and memorable bottom lines the audience can take away, consider this format that presents counterintuitive information: "Most leaders think you need to do XYZ to accomplish that, but I learned that ABC is most effective, here’s why…"
• Consider framing your tips in twos or threes. “Here are three keys I learned in leading……”?
• Prepare and practice your key points or short message if you know you will be called to speak quickly or on the spot. Record yourself and watch for clarity and filler words.
• If you are called to speak on a panel and are responding to others' responses, keep your comments or add-ons to other people’s questions to one line of thought, about 60 seconds.

You will not be able to get all of your thoughts and ideas out in short formats like this, and that's okay! Remember the key to maximizing short speaking opportunities like this is to create opportunities for more conversations to begin, not end.

Boost Your Paycheck

All too often, we remain “on mute” when we worry about what people will think about the ideas and goals we want to share. However, the world is noisy. People are busy.? Inboxes are full. No one is paying attention to you as much as you think.

When we don’t clearly express our hard-earned results, ideas or desires, our leaders are left to guess. When you aren’t clear with your leader about what you stand for, what you desire or your ideas to advance, your leader (or your audience!) can’t be a clear advocate for you when you are not in the room.?

Finally, get into action! What opportunities can you take advantage of in the near future to speak up and make a big impact in a short timeframe?

What other tips have you found successful to clearly convey your message when time is short? Share them in the comments.

Kelli Thompson is a leadership & executive coach, award-winning speaker and author who is on a mission to help women advance to the rooms where decisions are made. She offers executive coaching , leadership workshops and keynote speaking to lead with more clarity and confidence.

Want more tips to be a compelling communicator at work? Download Kelli's free training, Speaking Up with Clarity & Confidence ? HERE.