Part - I

All of us know that English is a funny language!!! Let's face it... There is no egg in eggplant, no ham in hamburger, no pine in pineapple, no French fries in France. Sweetmeats are not meats, but candies, while sweet breads, which aren't sweet, are meats. Boxing rings are actually squares. The guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor a pig. A vegetarian like me eats vegetables but what does a humanitarian eat? A wise man and a wise guy are opposites. The stars are out when they are visible and when the lights are out they are invisible.

Friends, the difference between mere management and leadership is communication and that art of communication is the language of leadership. One of the greatest speakers of the 21st century was so terrified to speak before an audience that he fainted the first time. The fact that his lips shuttered and he did not have a college degree made it worse. But by studying the greatest speakers in the history, Winston Churchill conquered the difficulties and in effect won the Second World War through his speeches. I am sure you can do it too. Are you ready to face it?

Of all methods of communication available to us, friends, you will agree with me, among the written word, the spoken word, the picture or a combination of these, the spoken word is the most powerful method of communication. If I say to any of my friends in the class "I don't like the way you dress up, why don't you try wearing something sober and simple", then he will never forgive me. What the hell does this guy think? But if I wrote to him, I can always change it. "Dear, I hope you don't mind my guiding as far as your dressing style..." But, if I said these words in the class, it's like a bullet from the gun - he's dead.

A public speech is like a vegetable sandwich. It has three parts. The top layer is the introduction, the first slice of the bread. In the middle you have the butter and the cheese and that is your subject matter, and the last one is your conclusion. Introduction, text and conclusion, simple. But, how do you go about it? In the first line of your speech you have to attract your audience and buy them up. Never start a speech with an apology. You are not taking an insurance policy against failure. If you are bad they will throw stones at you, if you are good they might applaud you. That's why I advice people to give applause before the speaker starts because you do not know what's coming after. Every time I face an audience my legs tremble like an old washing machine. My hands start sweating. I get butterflies in my stomach. I feel the end of the world is on my head. But let me tell you - if this phenomenon is not in you, please consult the doctor, as there is something wrong with your constitution. Nervousness, Winston Churchill said, gives you a kick in the back. "A kick in the back to prepare!!!" Any speaker coming in front of the audience unprepared is committing the greatest sin on earth. So watch out!

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* Contributed by -
Sandeep Mohapatra,
PGP 2004-2006,
Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.