The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast: "Simple Shifts To Turn Average Speakers Into Expert Communicators"
Hosted by John Jantsch with guest Michael Hepner
1. Introduction
In this enlightening episode of The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, host John Jantsch welcomes Michael Hepner, a renowned political communications expert. Hepner is celebrated for his work with Andrew Yang during the 2020 presidential election and serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School. As the CEO and president of GK Training and author of the book Don't Say How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life, Hepner brings a wealth of knowledge on transforming average speakers into expert communicators. The conversation delves into practical strategies, insightful research, and actionable advice aimed at enhancing communication skills for personal and professional growth.
2. The Importance of Communication in Everyday Life
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Michael Hepner opens the discussion by emphasizing the pervasive role of communication in our daily lives. He states, “Because you speak and you communicate so much more than you actually recognize. We say, depending on the day, between five and ten thousand words a day” ([00:54]). Hepner dismantles the misconception that communication training is limited to public speaking scenarios. He argues that almost every interaction is a form of public speaking, as there is always an audience, whether conscious or not.
Hepner elaborates on how effective communication influences various aspects of life, including personal relationships, professional interactions, and even individual health and wellness. “If you learn to talk a little bit better, too, you're moving your body differently, you're breathing differently. So in a very microscopic way, it's actually a tiny moment of exercise and health and wellness in your day” ([00:54]). This holistic view underscores the significance of honing communication skills beyond formal speaking engagements.
3. The Role of Filler Words and Linguistic Precision
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The conversation transitions to the topic of filler words such as "ums" and "ahs." Hepner criticizes the conventional advice of eliminating these fillers, labeling it as counterproductive. He asserts, “Don’t say ‘I’m sorry’ is the worst advice you can give yourself. It’s self-focused, it’s thought suppression” ([04:15]). Instead of policing oneself to avoid filler words strictly, Hepner advocates for developing linguistic precision—choosing precise and potent words to replace fillers.
He introduces the concept of embodied cognition, where physical actions aid in refining language choices. For instance, Hepner describes an exercise where speakers walk their fingers across a desk while articulating their thoughts. This physical engagement helps speakers focus on selecting meaningful words rather than obsessing over avoiding fillers. “The real battle and the real joy actually is hunting for those words that you do want to choose as opposed to the little sounds you’re trying to avoid” ([05:24]).
4. Techniques to Enhance Speaking Skills: The LEGO Drill
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Hepner presents the LEGO Drill, a practical exercise designed to improve speech structure and clarity. The drill involves using LEGO blocks as a physical tool to pace speech and organize ideas. Participants select a LEGO block for each idea or sentence they wish to convey, placing the block down after finishing each thought. This method encourages speakers to focus on one idea at a time, fostering clarity and conciseness.
“The brilliance in this is that it gives your brain the opportunity to unitask rather than multitask” ([06:39]). By limiting each speech segment to a single idea, speakers can slow down their delivery, ensuring each point is effectively communicated and allowing natural pauses for thought and audience comprehension. This technique not only enhances the structure of the speech but also aids in maintaining the speaker's confidence and composure.
5. Embracing Silence and Controlling Speech Rate
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A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the challenge of managing silence during speaking. John Jantsch shares his initial struggles with pausing between words, feeling that silence extended the duration unnaturally. However, Hepner highlights the importance of tolerating and even embracing silence as a powerful communication tool.
“You need to give this, like, three seconds before you say another word... people can't see you're doing it because we have this... a digital cloak of invisibility” ([16:24]). Hepner explains that pauses are not just gaps in speech but intentional moments that serve multiple purposes:
- Thinking Time: Allowing the speaker to formulate the next thought.
- Audience Processing: Giving the audience time to digest the information presented.
- Enunciation: Providing sufficient time to articulate words clearly.
He recommends practical techniques, such as drawing a question mark on the desk or using a voice memo app to monitor one's own speech patterns. By recognizing that perceived long pauses are often much shorter than they feel, speakers can become more comfortable with silence, enhancing both their delivery and the audience's comprehension.
6. Balancing Rehearsal with Spontaneity
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The balance between preparation and spontaneity is crucial for effective communication. Jantsch observes that some of the most memorable speaking moments occur when speakers deviate from their rehearsed material, reacting spontaneously to unforeseen circumstances. Hepner addresses this by advocating for a rehearsal strategy that maintains flexibility.
He warns against simply memorizing speeches verbatim, which can result in a robotic delivery devoid of natural expression. Instead, Hepner suggests practicing the content rather than the delivery. By varying the delivery style during practice sessions—such as altering pace, pitch, and body language—speakers can develop a more adaptable and genuine presentation style. “If you rehearse those things in that way, with some freedom of delivery, you've ingrained a looser experience of speaking, so it sounds more spontaneous” ([20:26]).
This approach ensures that while the core message remains consistent, the delivery remains dynamic and responsive to the context, allowing for authentic interactions even during unplanned moments.
7. Navigating Mistakes: The Three Fs Approach
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Mistakes are inevitable in any form of communication, but how speakers handle them can significantly impact their effectiveness. Hepner introduces the Three Fs approach as a strategy for managing errors during speaking engagements:
- Fake It: Maintain composure and continue speaking as if the mistake did not occur.
- Feature It: Acknowledge the mistake, address it briefly, and integrate it into the narrative, often using humor to ease tension.
- Fix It: Correct the mistake succinctly and move forward without dwelling on it.
“Those moments can create as much humanity as anything else. You know, create tremendous moments of spontaneity and also empathy” ([24:11]). Jantsch concurs, noting that featuring mistakes with humor can enhance rapport with the audience. By treating errors as natural and human elements of communication, speakers can build a stronger connection with their listeners, fostering an environment of empathy and authenticity.
8. Conclusion and Resources
As the episode concludes, Michael Hepner directs listeners to his website, dontsay.com, where they can access his book and a variety of video drills and exercises designed to practice the techniques discussed. These resources include guided implementations of the LEGO Drill, finger walking, and drawing exercises to assist speakers in improving their communication skills further.
John Jantsch expresses his appreciation for Hepner's insights and encourages listeners to explore the provided resources to enhance their own speaking abilities. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to transform their communication skills through intentionality, practice, and strategic techniques.
Key Takeaways:
- Communication is Integral: Effective speaking skills influence all aspects of life, not just public speaking.
- Linguistic Precision Over Filler Elimination: Focus on choosing meaningful words rather than merely avoiding fillers.
- Structured Practice Techniques: Utilize exercises like the LEGO Drill to organize thoughts and pace speech effectively.
- Embrace Silence: Understand the value of pauses for both speaker clarity and audience comprehension.
- Flexible Rehearsal: Practice content with varied delivery to maintain spontaneity during actual presentations.
- Manage Mistakes Gracefully: Employ the Three Fs approach to handle errors in a way that builds rapport and maintains professionalism.
This episode is a treasure trove for small business owners, marketing professionals, and anyone eager to enhance their communication prowess. By implementing these simple yet powerful shifts, listeners can elevate their speaking abilities, making their interactions more impactful and their messages more compelling.
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Don't Say How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life by Michael Hepner
- Website: dontsay.com