A certain stage presence and style characterises the Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer. Energetic, dynamic and loud! Of course, that style proved useful as the CEO advanced the Microsoft strategy around the world; not least since Bill Gates stood down from active Microsoft duties. So a Steve Ballmer speech is always something to seek out.
Therefore this 2010 speech at the University of Washington was a big draw for the student body and teaching staff. So, standing room only was the order of the day.
Steve got a great introduction and an equally warm reception. And quite rightly so. Because he’s a charismatic and competent speaker. Besides, who can remember the Longhorn speeches?
Steve Ballmer Speech Mixes The Language
But on this occasion, despite the support of his team and their superb multimedia, there was an issue. That’s because Steve had gone native. Leaving all thought of syntax and language structure aside, the CEO of one of the most important businesses in the world approached his speech as if he was in his first year at college. For example his use of the phrase, “sort of” was continual:
“sort of a place…
sort of highlighting…
sort of is…
sort of recent…
sort of the sub-history…
sort of stimulated…
sort of describe…
sort of story…
sort of creative commons…
sort of PhotoSynth…
sort of information…
sort of me…
sort of natural gas…
Now this sort of sloppy approach to language is one thing for a, like, industrious student. But for a man who heads up the world’s kind of leading software language coding businesses? No, of course not. Because it’s different.
So, let’s hope that the Microsoft approach to cloud computing is more rigorous than the language of this speech. Sort of. Because we should opt for more effective public speaking with language.
How You Can Get Your Language Right for Your Next Speech
It's no stretch to say that your language has the highest priority in your next speech. Because not all of us are executive officers at Microsoft, so we have to really make our words work. These tips should help.
- 1Use the active tense when you speak, not the passive tense.
- 2Aim to use common language that is familiar to your audience.
- 3Jargon and acronyms don’t work in a speech, so you need to avoid them.
- 4Use short words and not long words. Your audience finds them more familiar.
- 5Give your speech with short sentences. Long sentences really don't work.
Of course, you can always pick up public speaking tips from Time to Market with a personalised training package. That's because one-to-one public speaking skills coaching or an online course will give you the skills and confidence you need to become an effective public speaker. So, please don't hesitate to get in touch when the time is right.
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