How to communicate in a meeting so that others will listen

1. Be clear, concise and compelling:

Clear – What is your overall point? Make it in language understandable by everyone in the room.

Concise – Less is more, always – the BBC can explain a war in a headline – leave them wanting more so they will ask you questions about it.

Compelling – So what? – Why should they care and why is it important – in this order – personally (their hottest pain and pleasure buttons), for their strategic area and finally for the organisation overall.

2. Be yourself.
3. Use reference points and contexts / analogies – people love “stories”
4. As you speak, make clear and direct eye contact with everyone in the   room – one by one – practice this in your team meetings so it look natural.
5. Treat your listener with courtesy and respect. Follow the Golden Rule in conversations by speaking to others as you want them to speak to you.