Crush Toasts, Tributes, and Introductions with This Simple Technique 🥂
Crush Toasts, Tributes, and Introductions with This Simple Technique 🥂
Issue #81: A method for an awesome toast, tribute and introductions. Conversation Starter + Conversation Developer. Creativity Cliff.
💡 Here are 3-tips to help you learn, grow, and be inspired this week!
🎓 Learn
I want to share a technique that will help you give a better toast, tribute, or introduction.
I love this method because it has a simple structure and is easy to remember.
Also, if I prepare for a speech using this structure, I will feel much more confident and comfortable knowing what I want to share.
Another power of using a set framework for speeches is that the more I use it, the easier it becomes to give an introduction, toast, and tribute without any preparations.
Let me tell you how to use this framework, a few examples, and a few tips.
Here is the technique: W.H.A.T.
W → Why are we here?
H → How are you connected?
A → Anecdotes and/or lessons you learned that relate to the person, group, or event you’re commemorating.
T → Thank the person, group, or event that you're commemorating and offer well-wishes.
Here are a few examples of this method in practice
#1: You’re addressing your team of about a dozen people, introducing them to two senior leaders from the corporate office
Aslam and Jeremy have flown in to spend some time with our team [W]. I have worked for them over the past three years [H]. The last time they were here, we were able to review our plan for the quarter [A]. Aslam and Jeremy, we really appreciate you making the time to visit [T].
#2: Your team has notched an amazing success, and you want to take a moment to celebrate it with team members.
Wow! We just closed the last deal of the quarter [W]. I have been behind the scenes watching how each of you went above and beyond to get this deal done [H]. I remember back three months ago when we first learned of this opportunity and selected each of you to join the team because we believed you could complete this deal [A]. I want to compliment you on your creativity and tenacity in bringing this deal to a close. Thank you [T]
#3: A colleague of yours has reached her 10-year work anniversary, and it’s your turn to acknowledge her
Deval, congratulations on being at the company for 10 years [W]. We have worked together on a number of projects, and I have learned a lot from you [H]. I remember the time when we ordered all of the T-shirts for our conferences and they came in the wrong size and colors. You remained amazingly calm and collected [A]. Thanks for being a great colleague, mentor, and friend [T]. Happy anniversary.
Here are a few tips to practice this method
Be brief and to the point: you would not hear people complaining about short speeches, but they would be bored with long speeches.
Prepare to be emotional: if you (or someone in the audience) get super emotional, then be prepared to pause or end your speech. No need to get to the finish line.
Shine the spotlight away from you: Make the story about another person and less about you.
Make your story appropriate and inclusive: the story should be relevant to the audience so they can understand and connect. And also avoid awkward or insulting stories.
Strive for unity: try to share common views and values rather than one particular person’s opinion.
Set others up for success: end your speech on a positive note; set the stage for the next event, action, or speaker.
Here is an easy visual recap of this method:
I learned this method in Matt Abrahams’ book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot. Matt’s not just any expert—he teaches at Stanford and knows a thing or two about effective communication.
I would recommend reading the book if you want to hone your social and communication skills. However, I’ll continue to share the best frameworks from the book with examples in future newsletter issues. Stay tuned.
Also, If you remember, I shared the What—So What—Now What method to get better at small talk in social or business events. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, here is the link to that post:
🚀 Growth Tip
Sahil Bloom wrote an excellent post on public speaking and small talk. Here are two types of questions, he suggested.
#1 Conversation Starters:
What are you most excited about right now, personally or professionally?
What’s the origin of your name? Why did your parents give you that name?
What was the most interesting thing you’ve read or learned recently?
#2 Conversation Developers:
What do you remember as some of the more formative moments of your life? What made them so formative?
What do you feel you’ve changed your mind on recently?
If you could have dinner with 3-5 people from any point in history, who are you choosing and why?
🤩 Inspiration
Surprise: You’re More Creative Than You Think!
I thought we needed to wait for our creative energy to flow first and then start working on a creative project — writing, problem-solving, or creating something new.
Research shows our creativity actually improves over time.
This means — creative energy comes later in the process, first we need to start and stay committed to the process.
So, don't get discouraged! Keep pushing through – your best ideas might be just around the corner."
A small ask:
I need your help to get my Learn + Grow newsletter into the inbox of the people who need it most.
If my content has been helpful, can you take thirty seconds right now and forward this to someone in your network?
It costs you no money (my favorite price) and only takes thirty seconds.
Thanks so much!
Anil
May the Peaceful Growth be with you! 🪴
P.S. Look at this picture; the temperature of my nose is 60 degrees, and my head is 92 degrees. This picture is taken in an infrared camera by our new house inspector.
