The past 12 months has firmly put the spotlight on the effectiveness of political and business leaders’ communication skills, both in terms of style and content. Political leaders have had to inspire nations to deal with unprecedented lifestyle restrictions during the global pandemic.

Business leaders have had to rally their colleagues to overcome very challenging business environments. During times of volatility and uncertainty people follow those people they trust.

So how do leaders communicate in a way that inspires other to action?

They use the Language of Leadership: a secret set of verbal, vocal and physical cues to signify power which has remained largely unchanged throughout the course of history. This secret code originated in ancient rhetoric but it still determines who rises to the top in politics and business today.

Top speechwriter Simon Lancaster has drawn upon cutting-edge neuroscience, including the very recent research around mirror neurons, to create the definitive guide to the Language of Leadership. Exploring techniques such as metaphors, story-telling and sound-bites, the Language of Leadership is a simple, practical, holistic guide to the art of communication which will give you everything you need to become instantly more influential and inspiring.

During the Symposium, Simon will unravel the misunderstood processes around how the human brain processes incoming communication. The session will explore how great communicators build support by progressively appealing to the instinctive, emotional and logical parts of the brain.

You will certainly be equipped to think and act differently when communicating in the future.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

During the symposium Simon will share ho to incorporate a number of powerful linguistic devices into your everyday communication, including:

• how to use three-part lists, opposites and rhymes to make people believe what you are saying is true;
• how to use stories and anecdotes to hook people in emotionally and make them care; and
• how to use metaphors to plant powerful messages in people’s unconscious minds.

CONTENT & LEARNING STYLE

Expect a fast-paced, energetic, jam-packed session with different examples from history and more-up-to-date, with a range of examples covering the whole breadth of business communication, from emails to interviews, press conferences and presentations, social media and speeches.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILE

As one of the world's top communicators, Simon Lancaster writes speeches for the CEOs of FTSE 100 companies and Prime Ministers.

He is a published author, regularly comments for the media, is an Executive Fellow of Henley Business School and lectures at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. His TEDx Talk "Speak like a leader" gets a hundred thousand views a month.