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

• the principal parts of elocution include elegance, dignity, and composition;
• (1) style of speaking especially in public and (2) art of effective public speaking (Merriam-Webster);
• style: choice of words, arrangement of words, patterns of sentences (Nordquist)
• appropriate gestures that lend animation and force to speech

 
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:

• “Know your strengths and weaknesses as a speaker, and accentuate the positive.” (Cane, p. 343). Learn more from self-assessments such as StrengthsFinder, Quiet, or Values in Action Character Strengths.
• Challenge your perception: You may believe that you are an Introvert/Extrovert/Ambivert (Quiet; Drive). Reframe your label to channel a more positive energy when you network, give speeches, teach courses, star in videos, or produce podcasts. Use your purpose and vision to propel you into productive actions. Study the work of other presenters through TED talks, Teachable courses, or free webinars. Maintain a “half full” mindset.
• Enlist your supports: Prepare-Practice-Predict-Pilot-Repeat as needed. “Take your time crafting your speech…(and) Visit the room in which you’ll be speaking.” (Cane, p. 342)  Find a “restorative niche” to recharge your energy and help you return to your true self. (Cane, p. 219)  Incorporate a prop as part of your “schtick.” Entertainer Bob Hope performed with his golf club; Snidely Whiplash twirled his mustache; local entrepreneur Kathy Steinman is never without her basket of beauty products.

Final thoughts:

• Reinforce your confidence and maintain your energy as a speaker, interact with people and situations that “fill your bucket” with positive.
• Confront and wrangle negative emotions that reflect the obstacles of saboteurs, critical voices, and imposter syndrome. (Chamine)
• Focus on your “why” - your purpose - your passion – thus putting the attention onone of those instead of on you.
• Celebrate the emotions that are the “energy that move us.” (Newby & Watkins, pp. 6-8).
• Be a “joy spectator,” as “the joy we derive from others’ success comes with many benefits,” aka freudenfruede (Fraga). When you ask other people about their wins or victories, this is “giving you a chance to witness them at their best.” (Fraga)

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