Rising Above the Babbling

(Reading time: 10 mins)

Have you ever heard of the 'babble hypothesis?'

In 2021, the World Economic Forum published research findings by US scientists that found 'people who speak more are more likely to be considered leaders.'

The experiments indicated that quantity seemed to matter more than quality.

What's your take on this? Should we promote people who speak more rather than those who speak with more substance?

Balancing Quantity and Quality

We all have met colleagues who seemed to love the sound of their voices, and we can't help but tune out because the essence of their message escapes us. Meetings that go around in circles, with no clear resolution in the end, are also one of the most torturous rituals I've heard about. What's worse is we might have most of our office hours sucked up by unproductive meetings, overloading our minds with useless information. But because we're highly responsible people, we force ourselves to do 'the real work' after office hours.

No wonder our work-life balance is compromised!

In workplaces where babblers are favored, quieter people need a different strategy to ensure they will be heard.

I was one deemed too quiet and 'soft', and had to work hard for many years to develop a recognizable voice. To excel at work, visibility counts, so your unique voice is the best instrument to showcase your value.

Your Work Can Speak for Itself... Only if It's Accessible

You might feel that your work can speak for itself, but what if your work isn't accessible to others?

For example, in my case, there's a long and unpredictable cycle before my work becomes shareable. After all, confidentiality and privacy are the unique offerings of an executive coach. I could have laid in the dark, waiting to be discovered, but the day might take too long to arrive. A seed that's never found isn't too different from one that sprouts. It's the daily acts that count. If you choose to give yourself a voice, you start creating a different future. The power is in your hands (your voice, I mean.)

But remember, perception is reality. Impression management is something you mustn't neglect if you want to grow your career.

No Babbling nor Silence with Leadership Storytelling

Over the years, I've coached leaders from various levels to leverage leadership storytelling and find their unique voice. As it has also helped me write, speak, and think clearer, the greatest benefits I hear from my coachees make a difference in how they're being perceived.

• As they develop an authoritative voice on their topic/ domain, people actually stop and listen, instead of talking over/ ignoring them.
• With more confidence, they appear calmer (great for executive presence.) Some used to shiver in fear and wring their hands whenever they were asked to speak up, but once they knew they could be authentic, their ability to respond spontaneously improved.
• Even for those who used to speak too much (babblers or ramblers), they become more concise, people follow through with actions, and they present a more collaborative image, attracting more allies.

Everyone's developmental path is different. After all, we're born with different strengths. But across the board, these best practices always work wonders and transform their communication mastery. The best judge of your communication effectiveness is your audience, so give these practices a go today.

1/ Curation

Like a curator at a museum, you'll pick and choose the best pieces to display and attract your audience.

Many leaders I know tell me proudly they're great storytellers, but they are so self-absorbed that they don't even realize that people are snoozing with their eyes wide open.

As you leverage leadership storytelling, you'll pick only the most relevant information, and deliver them to achieve an emotional impact.

If it's action you want from your audience, how do you inspire them to act?

If it's buy-in, how do you make them see your point?

If you want to change their lives, how do you seed the idea that not changing is an unthinkable option?

The answer lies in your curation. That's also how you balance quantity and quality.

2/ KISS

Our voice is a powerful instrument. It has the power to agitate and calm. Some of us are blessed with full and round voices. I didn't have the good fortune of a deejay voice. When I'm anxious, I tend to sound like Donald Duck.

Your voice plays a big part in developing gravitas. While I'm not a voice coach, but I can tell you that how fast you speak, and how you breathe will make the difference.

What I've noticed is that people tend to rush when they have too many points to deliver.

The strategy, then, is to Keep it Simple, Sammy! (KISS) – One delivery, one story, one key point. Don't rush, and you'll find whatever time you're given always adequate.

3. Don't be Whiny William/ Winnie

Authenticity is a great catalyst for trust, so personal stories are very powerful. In my leadership storytelling course , I teach leaders to tell stories about failures.

You might be flabbergasted and worry that failure stories will erode your credibility. On the contrary, it shows that you're human and people want to do business/ work with other humans.

How you tell the failure or personal adversity stories is a skill you can develop. Like the balance between quantity and quality, it's also about striking a balance here.

The key idea is don't be whiny, don't complain or badmouth others. The victim card is the worst one to play in your career or managing impressions.

4. Give Up on Convincing Others

I think leaders try too hard to prove their point and worry too much about being right.

The truth is holding ourselves to such unattainable expectations is going to stress us out.

Your role as a leader is to help people think better, so they can exercise their wise option as beings with free will. So, if we give up the notion that we have to convince anyone, we become less forceful and, as a result, more palatable.

Wouldn't it be great if people are drawn to you and want to listen to your opinions because you're not busy shoving your thoughts into their heads?

That's the power of persuasion, where you convince without trying.

5. Let Your Values Shine in Your Style

I believe that our core values shape us as leaders. In our speech and writing, it's the same.

Some people have the talent to make us cry with their words/ speeches because their personality shines through. John Maxwell said, "Everyone communicates, few connect." One powerful way you can connect with your audience is making your values visible.

Our values will also determine how much we share, how we share the info, and who we include in the space. For instance, if empathy or respect are your core values, perhaps you'll show empathy and consideration to other viewpoints.

If honesty is your value, it could well give you the courage to show up and be visible.

The One Skill That Changed My Results

Leadership Storytelling is the one skill that changed my results. When I got the chance to publish my second book, Leaders People Love, with Penguin Random House SEA, I only dared dream that the book would clinch a business book award. Today, this is a reality.

The greatest joy, perhaps, isn't awards and all, but the liberation and realization that my unique way of telling stories that leaders care about –?my voice, is fully capable of planting seeds in leaders' minds, elevating them, one at a time.

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