Winning the NFL Way

 

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Communication: A Two-Way Street

“Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue—to the end, we should hear and see more than we speak.”

—SOCRATES (469–399 B.C.)

 

 

When making a speech, experience taught me to do my homework—knowing my subject is obvious. What’s easy to overlook is the importance of knowing your audience. Keep in mind that what you say and how you say it will differ according to whom you say it.

For example, you’d speak differently to a group of teenagers than to an audience of senior citizens, even on the same subject. And a pep talk in a locker room wouldn’t be the same as an inspirational speech in a church sanctuary. You must “read” your audience. No two audiences are the same, any more than two people ...