All communication benefits from eloquence

Although the title suggests sales pitches are the only target, McGowan’s book “Pitch Perfect” applies to a wide range of communication types. Presentations and interviews are listed, but so are speeches, business meetings, one-on-one conversations, and Q&A sessions. His seven principles of eloquence shape both impromptu speeches and carefully executed announcements (Mcgowan).

Due to the universal need for eloquence, each principle may be honed any number of ways. From tomorrow’s morning stand-up to an answer to your wife’s “How was your day?,” each one can be intentionally developed no matter one’s role. If you become a master at illustrating your entire day in a vivid story, your Scorsese skills will be invaluable to the next business presentation you give.

Importance

In the chaos of a startup, communication skills are rarely the first topic of growth. The value of eloquence in a sales pitch is evident, but the rapid transition of one’s product in a lean startup can mean weekly changes to the original pitch, while trying to: build an MVP, organize a budget, acquire customers, buy groceries, and repair the car. It’s good news that an entrepreneur needn’t wait until the day of reckoning to melt down the essence of his product into a Tabasco headline and a savory paragraph. He can sharpen those skills in the kitchen, writing recipe reviews or sharing tips with friends.

Application

Charisma is composed primarily of eloquence. To share the meat of one’s convictions with vivid storytelling can move people to action. Jesus was a master communicator who weaved stories, punchlines, convictions and mysteries together in a beautiful tapestry. When I compose a letter to a friend, draft the outline of a presentation, role-play a hard conversation, or share my day with Amie, McGowan’s principles can guide the content and the delivery of my message and, when the time comes to deliver actual sales pitches I will have far less ground to cover than if I’d never attempted to develop eloquence before.

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