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, tuning in to their emotions and aspirations. They engage their colleagues, employees, shareholders and customers.

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 with aplomb is Twitter CEO Dick Costolo. Of course it helps that he is in the business of casual communication. Whether he’s on a big stage, in the boardroom, with his team or just (inevitably) tweeting, Costolo is direct while still seeming accessible. He always makes reference to his team and the company which keeps things personal and instills a sense of trust.

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

Remember when he confronted Iranian president Hassan Rouhani via twitter, over the fact that 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 because it got people thinking, talking and made the news. It showed this CEO was in touch, on top of his own technology and current affairs, focused on growing the business (in Iran and beyond) and that he has a sense of humour.

Start your journey to world-class public speaking skills now

Download our free ebook to start your journey towards becoming a Powerful Presenter.

You’ll learn our 5-step process for transforming dull, forgettable and un-engaging presentations into your most Powerful Presentations yet: inspirational, memorable and persuasive.

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.

Download your free copy of our Five Steps to Improve your Leadership Talks ebook now.