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VIBRANT, VOCAL VERBS

No, this isn't a grammar lesson! Vocal verbs speak out because of their precision and their power. "Verbs talk?" you may be asking. "Well, ..."

POWER VERBS

Think about this:
  • Pillows "poof"
  • Champagne corks cork"pop"

  • Dynamite and bosses "explode"
  • Rockets "blast off"
This example represents what we call the hierarchy of verbs. Each succeeding verb expressing a stronger action. Almost all verbs are part of their own family of words which describe the same action, but, to a greater or lesser degree. For example:
  • miss the deadline to pay your light bill and the power company will "remind" you.
  • ignore the reminder, and, the collection officer will "demand" payment.
In an investigation,
  • your neighbo(u)rhood policeman may "ask" you some questions
  • give him or her cause for suspicion and a detective may "interrogate" you.
Teenagers
  • "like" hotdogs
  • "love" their pet
  • "adore" the latest sports shoe or rock star.

Each of these reflects how the strength of your verb affects how listeners react to what you say. ...a significant tool in setting, and changing, the mood of your presentation.

PRECISE VERBS

In the "general junk" area of the bad trivia habits section, we used "is " followed by an adjective as one of the lazy constructions which kills your impact. The solution? Seriously think about the active word (verb) in your thought. What are you REALLY trying to say? What is the most precise way of expressing the action?

Sure, it takes work; but, the payoff exponentializes your impact.

Examples:

Consider your car, 4X4 or moped. If you arrived late for work, you might tell us, "I had to take the bus. My car isn't working." Our reaction would probably be, " Too bad"; and, we would move on. But, tell us what you told your mechanic,

the motor:
  • coughs
  • races
  • purrs
  • whines
  • splutters, or,
  • plays dead
or perhaps, the car: car
  • stalls
  • jerks
  • weaves
  • pulls right
  • bumps and grinds.
Now, every red blooded former teenager will mentally stick his or her head under the hood to help you diagnose the problem...plus, of course, enlightening you about every car problem personally encountered in the past decade.

So what do balking cars have to do with your presentations? They can transport your presentations to a truly professional level.

Apply the car example to describe:
  • a project which is going well
  • a project which is in difficulty
  • a popular new policy
  • a controversial new policy
  • a management issue
Imagine how great your impact can be.

VERBS are the most important word in your vocabulary. They can be the ONLY word in the sentence. Treat them with respect; and, they will reward you with credibility, respect and audience empathy.
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