Do you speak from Your Head or Your Heart?

Having been on the panel of a few interviews and listened to the business pitch of a number of people on dragon’s den and at networking events, I am fully convinced that one’s material and delivery are both important. In a bid to dazzle and impress interviewers and investors, many job seekers and business owners rely heavily on their head knowledge or intellect and dish out facts and figures which show that they are well read and extremely knowledgeable. Unfortunately many fail miserably to impress their audience. In order for people to listen to you, to hire you, to engage your services or buy from you, you need to use your head but speak to them with the words in your heart.

When you speak from your head alone, you will say only the things you think your audience want to hear but when you speak using both your head and your heart, you are able to speak honestly and still demonstrate that you are knowledgeable. This honesty is interlaced with passion, and it is this that helps to keep your delivery conversational and impactful.

I often attend networking events and it is true that while the ultimate purpose of networking is to generate business, it is improper to focus on simply delivering ‘sales pitches’ at every opportunity. I know how off-putting it is when you meet someone at a networking event, and he/she goes on and on about how great their product or service is. A delivery intended just to sell your products or skills is not as credible as one which shows your audience that you care about them (or their organisation).

Using your head and speaking words from your heart will establish the honesty and credibility that will strengthen your personal brand and make you successful in the long run.

The point I am trying to make is ‘Keep your head screwed on and let your heart do the talking’.

Here’s wishing you all the best with your next interview or pitch.