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Sometimes we have to speak on difficult topics where we might be in conflict with, or opposition to, our audience.
These types of speeches or presentations about difficult topics are a real opportunity for us to drive change.
They are our chance to bring disparate parties together. It’s important that we get them right.
Of all of the (many aspects) of a speech or presentation, language is the most important when speaking to resolve a disagreement or conflict. This article outlines how speakers can use language to resolve conflict when speaking or presenting on a difficult topic.
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During a speech or presentation on a difficult topic it is really tempting to use language like 'I' and 'you' and 'them' and 'us'. Within the minds of those that hear them, these types of words assign sides, teams, division and, ultimately, blame.
When speaking on a difficult topic, the word 'we' is very much the language of shared solutions.
Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.
Using 'we' helps to combine you and your audience into one group or one team. If your disparate groups are then ‘one team’, then there must be an opponent - overcoming the challenge that has previously divided you.
Suddenly, ‘we’ are a team together taking on the challenge of overcoming our differences. ‘We’ are working together to find a way to peacefully and productively move forward together.
What a wonderful change of perspective, through the use of just one single word over another.
So next time you have to speak on a difficult topic or want to bring two opposing parties together, take your notes, take your script, and turn every ‘me' and 'you' or 'them' and 'us' into a ‘we, together'.
Want to watch this article as a video?
All of our recent blog posts are recorded as videos too. Click the video to watch this blog post narrated by Rich Watts, public speaking expert and 2x national public speaking champion.
To watch all our public speaking tips videos, visit the Rich Public Speaking Youtube channel here.
