Do you remember that iconic scene from “The Wolf of Wall Street” where Leonardo DiCaprio, as Jordan Belfort, transforms his audience of stockbrokers into a frenzy? A few words, a lot of energy, and a good dose of audacity turn them into “telephone terrorists” capable of selling thousands of shares. Managers, what happens when you speak to your team? Is it your role to galvanize them with grand speeches? We asked our experts, Luc Bretones and Alexis Eve, for their insights.
“When you’re tense and not enjoying it, no one else will,” says Tristan, who leads an editorial team. He gives his all to captivate his audience, such as the time he dressed as a hot dog to illustrate his point in front of 300 people. He constantly taps into his creativity to engage his team. “I try to make corporate topics less boring,” he explains. “I personalize my speeches to make them unique and engaging.” Often, it works. “I see that people enjoy it,” he acknowledges. “It sets me apart from other managers who may seem more conventional. It’s a risky approach, but it’s my style.”
Public speaking is inherent to the role of a manager. According to the 2023 Whistcom-OpinionWay survey, 96% of managers speak to their teams. These speeches are seen as influential, contributing to a sense of usefulness (77%), work involvement (75%), team pride (74%), and loyalty to the company (73%). However, employees are becoming more demanding, with less than two-thirds finding these speeches useful and 57% considering them one-sided. Messages are more impactful when delivered orally (72%), so managers should think carefully before speaking.
“Grandiose speeches have no place in the workplace,” asserts Luc Bretones. “Be yourself, simple, and authentic. Deliver a short message with sincerity. A manager is not there to sell dreams but to speak truthfully and show vulnerability.” Tristan agrees, saying he presents himself as he is, without pretense. “I’m eccentric, and my style works with my creative team. Managers need to personalize their speeches and adapt to their audience for coherence.”
Going in with just talent and improvisation is risky. Alexis Eve, a coach for managers and executives, emphasizes the importance of preparation. “A good manager must always prepare their speech, dedicating at least a quarter of the speaking time to preparation.” Tristan agrees, noting that his creative presentations require meticulous work. “I write everything, structure my speech, and practice extensively. It’s the preparation that keeps the audience engaged.”
“Before speaking, a manager should ask: who is my audience? What do I want to convey? And what will they understand?” recommends Alexis Eve. Empathy and clarity are essential. “The common mistake is focusing on what we say rather than what the audience hears. Be explicit, repeat often, and use clear, interconnected points. Avoid adding unnecessary elements that disrupt the message.”
By Gabrielle de Loynes, Luc Bretones, Alexis Eve and Thomas Decamps, via Welcome To The Jungle
