How the CLEAR Strategy Transforms Your Communication
We’ve all been there: the moment when you don’t know what to say and just start talking, hoping you’ll eventually figure it out. Alternatively, you may have started speaking with so many thoughts rushing in that you don’t know where to begin, leading you to overwhelm your audience with too much information without getting to the point. Learning how to make and stay focused on your point while speaking is essential for clear, confident communication.
In today’s fast-paced world, learning how to make and stay focused on your point while speaking is more important than ever. Whether you’re delivering a keynote speech, interviewing for a job, pitching to investors, or speaking to your team, having a well-defined point and core message is essential. This is where the CLEAR strategy comes into play. As a communications expert, I’ve seen firsthand how adopting this strategy can help professionals, leaders, and even those learning English as a second language express themselves more effectively.
Why It’s Hard to Stay Focused on Your Point While Speaking
Maintaining focus while speaking is a challenge many people face. It’s easy to stray from your main point, especially when you’re nervous or when various ideas come to mind mid-sentence. Staying focused ensures that your audience grasps your key message without confusion. By employing the CLEAR strategy, you can learn how to make and stay focused on your point while speaking, guiding your listeners directly to your intended conclusion.
What is the CLEAR Strategy?
The CLEAR strategy stands for Clarify, List, Emphasize, Avoid, and Refine. Each component is designed to help you craft messages that not only inform but also engage and inspire your audience. The CLEAR strategy helps you organize your thoughts, ensuring that you always stay focused on your point while speaking. Here’s a breakdown of each step to help you stay focused on your point while speaking:
1. C: Clarify your purpose
Before speaking, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what you want to communicate. Ask yourself: “What is the main point I want my listener to remember?” Avoid jargon and overly complex language. Instead, use simple, straightforward words to make your message clear and accessible.
As Chip and Dan Heath explain in Made to Stick (available on Amazon or the publisher’s page), simplicity is key. Distilling your message to its core ensures it resonates and sticks with your audience. When you remove the unnecessary, your message becomes not only more memorable but also more powerful.
2. L: List key points
Effective communication isn’t just about delivering a message—it’s about organizing and prioritizing key points. Identify the most important aspects of your message that align with your audience’s needs and expectations. Structuring your ideas this way helps you stay focused on your point while speaking.
3. E: Emphasize the takeaway
Now that you’ve organized your message, it’s time to emphasize the key takeaway. What is the one message or action you want your audience to remember? This takeaway should be compelling and should resonate long after the conversation ends. To dive deeper into how to make your communication more effective, consider exploring insights on persuasive communication from Harvard Business Review.
4. A: Avoid overloading with details
Too much information can overwhelm your audience. Instead of providing excessive details, focus on the essential ideas that support your main point. By simplifying, you’ll leave your audience with a clear, powerful message. What’s more impressive is when your message is so clear that your listener feels smarter after hearing it.
5. R: Refine and repeat
Once you’ve identified the key points, take time to review and refine your message. Make sure it’s as concise and clear as possible. Repeating your key points throughout your communication will help reinforce your message and improve retention. If you’re speaking off the cuff, mentally refine your message as you speak, ensuring every idea serves your main point.
Use the CLEAR Strategy to Make and Stay Focused on Your Point While Speaking
Let’s see how the CLEAR strategy works in a real-world scenario: An employee convincing their manager to approve a project.
1. C: Clarify your purpose
To begin, the employee starts by identifying the main point: “This project will enhance our The employee begins by identifying the main point: “This project will enhance our team’s productivity by 20%.” This message is focused, leaving no room for confusion.
2. L: List key points
Before the meeting, the employee organizes the most important aspects of the proposal, such as the productivity increase, alignment with team goals, and potential ROI.
3. E: Emphasize the takeaway
During the meeting, the employee underscores the key benefit—increased productivity—by saying, “This program limits the number of screens employees need to toggle between to immediately improve their productivity by at least 20%.” By aligning this benefit with the company’s goals, it becomes even more compelling and relevant.
4. A: Avoid overloading with details
The employee presents a high-level overview of the project, focusing on key points without diving into excessive technicalities.
5. R: Refine and repeat
Throughout the meeting, the employee reaffirms the key benefit of increased productivity, ensuring the message stays clear and memorable.
Master the Art of Staying Focused on Your Point While Speaking
The CLEAR strategy is a powerful tool for crafting strong, impactful messages that resonate with your audience. By focusing on Clarifying, Listing, Emphasizing, Avoiding, and Refining, you ensure that your communication is both effective and memorable. Mastering the art of staying focused on your point while speaking will not only make you more effective in delivering your message, but it will also ensure your key message resonates clearly with your audience.
Need Help Mastering Your Communication Skills?
At Corporate Speech Matter Expert, we specialize in helping professionals like you communicate confidently and clearly. Whether you want to improve your persuasive speaking, enhance your media presence, or refine your leadership communication, our tailored programs can support your growth. Explore our communication programs today to learn how we can help you achieve your communication goals!