Elocution - who knew it was back in style! From 2020: “From elocution lessons to highway signs to serenades, startup founders looking to raise money in the Covid-19 era are developing new strategies to sell themselves and their companies—which might be only an idea on paper—through a video chat app on their laptop.” (Heather Somerville, WSJ, Sept. 19, 2020)
After compiling much research, it became apparent that this simple concept involved centuries of definitions and intentions. A selective summary might pique the curiosity of entrepreneurs and thought leaders and start personal reflection in these areas: enunciation, word choice, accompanying gestures, impactful delivery, matching audience needs. Descriptions
Historic Thinkers > The art of delivering written or spoken language in the way best calculated to express the sense, beauty, or force of the words employed by the speaker.” (Vico, 1700s, in Nordquist) > "Elocution is the art of delivering written or spoken language in the way best calculated to express the sense, beauty, or force of the words employed by the speaker. (Isbister, 1870, in Nordquist) > “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson, mid 1800s) While the mechanics of elocution may be attainable, it is the more challenging “art of delivering,” that anticipation of being in front of people, that may be preventing you from forging ahead. You know you need to interact with others in order to promote your business or provide leadership for one of your interests. How do you overcome and get out of your own way? Three actions are offered for consideration as way to develop and elevate your art of elocutionary delivery:
Final thoughts:
Resources Cane, Susan (2012). Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. NYC: Random House. Chamine, Shirzad (2012). Positive intelligence. Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book. Fraga, Juli (November 28, 2022). “The opposite of schadenfreude is freudenfreude. Here’s how to cultivate it.” New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/25/well/mind/schadenfreude-freudenfreude.html Newby, Dan & Watkins, Curtis (2019). The field guide to emotions: A practical orientation to 150 essential emotions. Middletown, DE: Newby and Watkins. Nordquist, Richard (April 13, 2019). The art of public speaking. ThoughtCo.: https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-elocution-1690641 Pink, Daniel (2011). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. NYC: Riverhead. Rath, Tom, & Clifton, Donald O. (2004). How full is your bucket? Washington, DC: Gallup Press. VIA Institute on Character (Cincinnati, Ohio). VIA Character Strengths Survey, https://www.viacharacter.org |
AuthorCarol C. Robinson is a synergy leader, coach, and facilitator who enjoys seeing growth and learning of entrepreneurs and leaders. Archives
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