Churchill's Key to Leadership
Winston Churchill, prime minister of Britain during the Second World War, and was regarded as one of the most powerful leaders of the 20th century, primarily because of his ability to communicate effectively. Some random bits of wisdom:
- He felt that delivering the best possible word was the single most important element - yet he favored short, simple terms to more long-winded ones
- Be economical in the volume or words as well - get you point across quickly
- Churchill used rhythm effectively, and many of his speeches used repetitive phrases fro dramatic effect
- He also use the technique of presenting a quick succession of facts leading up to a conclusion to get buy-in
- Churchill used simile, metaphor, and other figures of speech. He is particularly known for chiasmus (repeating of elements in referse)
- He focused a speech on a single theme, a single call to action
- He considered the value of a pause to build suspense and interest in what would be said next
- Churchill would "write impromptu speeches," by developing pieces - a turn of phrase, an apt metaphor, a well-considered phrase - to be woven into a later speech