Developing Powerful Speaking Skills in Meetings: 5 Essential Techniques Every Professional Must Know
Meetings aren't just about sharing information.
Who speaks more clearly and persuasively can shape your career.
Especially after your 40s, you need to move beyond simply proposing ideas to master trustworthy communication.
Today, we've compiled practical training methods to develop the kind of speaking skills that make people think, “I find myself listening intently to that person” during meetings.
Before Speaking, First Organize Your ‘Key Message’
The reason speeches drag on in meetings is because it's unclear what the speaker is trying to say.
Ask yourself before speaking.
“What is the core message I want to convey right now, in one sentence?”
Defining your core sentence first helps you cut down on unnecessary modifiers or background explanations.
Ultimately, the person who shines in meetings isn't the ‘great speaker’ but the one who ‘accurately states the core point’.
Speak using the ‘Situation-Opinion-Reason’ structure
Instead of blurting out whatever comes to mind spontaneously, train yourself to speak in a structured manner.
The simplest and most powerful formula is as follows:
① Situation → Present the current situation or problem
② Opinion → Clearly convey your thoughts
③ Reason → Build trust with numbers, examples, or experience
Simply following this structure makes your speech sound logical, concise, and persuasive.
Focus on ‘pace and breathing’ over tone
A common trait among effective speakers in meetings is a calm rhythm.
Avoid rushing; practice pausing for one second after each sentence.
Short pauses signal confidence.
Controlling your ‘speed’ also gives listeners time to process information.
Plant ‘empathy’ before speaking
The start of your statement is determined more by attitude than content.
“I understand your concerns about this part.”
“That's a great idea, but I've also considered this direction.”
This single phrase lowers the other person's guard and softens the meeting atmosphere.
Empathy is the key that unlocks the door to persuasion.
After speaking, build trust with a ‘closing summary’
The end of a meeting statement is summary equals trust.
“To summarize, the core of this proposal is ○○.”
The habit of concise summarization leaves the impression that ‘this person thinks clearly and systematically.’
The cleaner the conclusion of your statement, the longer your presence lingers.
The person who shines in meetings isn't the one who talks the most
Meetings are not a contest of quantity, but a battle of quality and clarity.
The moment you consciously structure your speech, pace it, show empathy, and finish strong,
your words become more solid and earn trust.
👉 At your next meeting, start with this one sentence: “This time, I'll share my thoughts briefly...” Your speaking power will transform.
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