Communication skills are ranked as the number one skill a business leader requires.  That is why leaders spend an extraordinary amount of time and effort honing those skills.

Successful communicators don’t just talk big ideas, they speak to their audience, echoing their emotions and aspirations.

Great communicators adapt their messages and style to match the situation. As Theodore Roosevelt said: “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Someone that does that well is Twitter CEO Dick Costolo. Of course, it helps that he is in the business of communication. Whether he’s on a big stage, in the boardroom, with his team or  tweeting, Costolo is both direct and accessible. He always makes reference to his team and the company. This  keeps things personal and conveys a sense of trust.

How Does He Do it?

When he is talking numbers he speaks with energy and enthusiasm. This upbeat style makes what he is saying sound convincing. He has a reputation for being funny, building rapport with his audience, without compromising integrity.

Remember when he confronted Iranian president Hassan Rouhani via Twitter? (The social network is banned in Iran.) The president’s account was used to publicise his speech at the United Nations. Costolo directly messaged Rouhani:

.@HassanRouhani Mr. President, enjoying your Tweets from the UN. We would love the Iranian people to enjoy them as well. When will that be?

— dick costolo (@dickc) September 25, 2014

Whether or not he is genuinely focused on making Iran a more open nation, it was a great communications wheeze for his firm. That’s because it got people thinking, talking and made the news. It showed that this CEO was in touch. He was on top of his own technology and current affair – and he has a sense of humour.

Start your journey to world-class public speaking skills now

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It’s full of practical tips and insightful quotes that will help you make immediate improvements to your leadership talks and presentations, including:

• Increased confidence when you talk and present.
• Improved ability to persuade your audience.
• Greater engagement with your audience.
• Practical ways to plan and structure your talks.
• The inspiration and motivation to change.

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