How to Express Yourself Constructively?

To begin, I want to explain why this particular topic is so important. What influences the development of constructiveness and clarity of speech? There's a famous Latin saying non multum, sed multa, which means "not many things, but much content." These words define the quality of oratorical speech. To speak briefly but meaningfully is the highest skill.

There's an opinion that if a person understands something very well, they can explain everything briefly and clearly. And vice versa: if a person tries to explain something to you for a very long time, it means they poorly understand the topic. Is this really so? Not always. It can be different. Either the person doesn't know how to simply express thoughts, or lacks sufficient experience. Therefore, it's necessary to learn.

The essence of constructiveness and clarity is that people make their speech more accessible to other people, and therefore more effective in terms of audience impact. That’s because a short clear speech is more effective.

Why is it important to speak briefly and clearly?

In public speaking, there are patterns: the more words, the less understanding. So, this doesn't happen, it's necessary to work on this and develop. Why speak briefly and clearly? First of all, it's professionalism, experience, and knowledge. The main indicators of clear speech.

An example from the other side: if a person doesn't know the answer to a question, they will publicly reason, search for an answer to it, try to say something. In school they often teach that the main thing is to say something, but this doesn't work outside school. If you came out to tell something, then you should know it. And you should understand your topic very well. Therefore, a professional and experienced person usually gives an answer clearly and understandably.

For this, it's necessary to study your topic, product, and idea well. And share your knowledge – that is, constantly practice transferring experience and knowledge in your direction. Clear meaningful speech is an indicator of knowledge and professionalism.

Steve Jobs in his speech to Stanford University students divided his speech into three short stories. First, about how he dropped out of college – the so-called story about connecting the dots. Then how he was fired from the company – "about love and loss." Then how Jobs was told about a deadly disease – "about death." Three clear stories with three clear themes, presented in logical order.

The speech was absolutely natural for perception. Because in our consciousness, everything that happens has a beginning, middle, and end. If people hear a story that has a beginning, middle, and end, they perceive this story as natural.

Churchill in his speech about King Edward VIII's abdication structured his address thoughtfully. He began by stating that "recrimination or controversy at this time would be not only useless but harmful and wrong." Churchill then made two key observations: first, that there was never any constitutional conflict between the King and Parliament, emphasizing that the King acted in full accordance with constitutional principles; and second, about the importance of allowing sufficient time for such a momentous decision to be made freely and without pressure. Churchill concluded with a call to unity and forward-looking resolve: "Danger gathers upon our path. We cannot afford—we have no right to look back. We must look forward: we must obey the exhortation of the Prime Minister to look forward."

What are the three rules for developing speech clarity?

The first rule – study your topic and think aloud. If you have good command of the topic, then your oratorical speech consists of clear and concrete expressions. That is, those conclusions you reached in the process of studying the topic. Sometimes they can be voiced to check whether you missed any point.

The second rule – set time limits. In training sessions, I often set time frames for speeches. When a person knows they have a time limit, they will try to fit within it and say the most important things. Train like this regularly. This will develop in you the habit of speaking briefly and clearly.

The third rule – create a final thesis. Whatever you write – essays, diary entries, letters, social media posts – always follow the rule of final summary or thesis. Summarize what you described at length or briefly in one sentence. This thesis is your result, toward achieving which you worked.

What to read and watch for skill development?

I recommend books that contain speeches by speakers of the 20th-21st centuries. For example, Never Give In – Churchill's best speeches. There’s also inaugural speeches of US presidents, and speeches by John Kennedy, who expressed himself very constructively. Speeches That Changed the World also contains countless speeches that are very constructive.

To develop figurative thinking you can turn to comics or short stories. This also develops your clarity. Also useful here is Steve Jobs' speech to Stanford University students – something you can listen to or watch. For speech analysis, I always advise not to listen to or watch speeches, but to read them, so you can analyze every word, every message.

Also, for developing creative thinking, you can watch the documentary series Netflix Explained. This is a concise story about a topic in documentary format. In addition, there are quite constructive speeches on TED.

In conclusion, I urge you to refine professional skills. Deepen your knowledge, gain experience, which will be your training for public speeches and business negotiations. Over time, the three rules will become your habits. They will create in your memory short and understandable expressions that you use in live speech, so that the saying non multum, sed multa becomes close and natural to you.

Use three tips: study your topics and think aloud, set time limits, write final theses and summaries. And let each of your words gain value and benefit for those who hear it.

Mykola Ovcharov