Weekly Thought – February 17, 2015

Fred’s article on Speaking is a classic example of his clear thinking. He loved taking a big subject and breaking it down into manageable bites. This week we present principles one and two: 1) Prepare your attitude and 2) Prepare your content.

Thank you for helping us continue stretching and blessing through the outreach of BWF.

Imperatives for Effective Speaking (Part 1)

A. Prepare Your Attitude – Speaking starts with attitude – attitude colors every word, every gesture, and body movement. My checklist runs like this: 1) Do I feel obligated to speak or privileged? 2) Am I prepared, therefore confident? 3) Do I know what is expected of me? 4) Do I know I expect to accomplish? 5) Am I sure of my opening so I won’t be tentative or negative? 6) Do I like the people I’ll be speaking to?

All these affect the attitude. Anyone who feels the audience is fortunate in having them speak is prostituting the opportunity.

B. Prepare the Content – A speaker’s self-respect and sense of responsibility should start with content. If there is no content, there is no reason to speak. The best communication comes out of the overflow. There should always be that feeling that there is so much more in the spring from which this talk flowed.

It is insulting to hear a speaker who has nothing to say but insists on saying it anyway. In Texas we say he is “all hat and no cattle.”

Whenever I begin thinking of the honor of having been asked, I immediately shift to the responsibility of being asked – a responsibility that demands preparation. Each occasion should have its own special preparation. Speech notes, like bread, soon get stale. In each preparation there must be the yeast of newly discovered truth: exciting, new, and expanded insights along with practical applications. (more…)

Weekly Thought – February 10, 2015

Fred’s speaking abilities gave him opportunities throughout his life. Even in his last years of immobility groups gathered to hear what him. On Saturdays they encircled him in what affectionately became known as “Fred in the Bed.” His last session was less than two weeks before his death.

We thank you for the gracious support through prayer, financial gifts, and words. We want to continue sharing Fred’s wisdom. And, as we grow the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute, our goal is to “stretch and bless the next generation of leaders… to the glory of God.”

Fred’s article on Imperatives in Effective Speaking will be excerpted over the next five weeks in a series of Weekly Thoughts. Today’s is an overview of the points. Build a file for these excerpts – they are keepers.

Effective Speaking – Introduction

Speaking to an audience is an awesome responsibility. When you speak to a thousand listeners for thirty minutes you have used five hundred hours of human life.

Only a few speakers are great, but many could be better by recognizing both the science and art of speaking. Like great musicians, there must first be a natural talent, then years and years of coaching and practice to achieve the art. (more…)