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Communication

Speaking

Receiving, retaining and processing information

Transmitting information or ideas

Finding solutions to challenges

Using imagination and generating new ideas

Overcoming challenges and setbacks to achieve goals

Setting goals and designing routes to achieve them

Supporting, encouraging and motivating others to achieve a shared goal

Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal

Identifying influence

Comparing views

Analysing views

Investigating bias

Strategic questioning

Evaluating perspectives

Communicating sensitively

Speaking engagingly

Adaptive communicating

Negotiating

Constructive communicating

Presenting

Inspiring others

Following instructions

Evaluating approaches

Continual learning

Imagining

Sharing imagination

Expressing imagination

Generating ideas

Suggesting improvements

Combining concepts

Identifying opportunities

Defining success

Flexible thinking

Reflecting critically

Facilitating creativity

Championing creativity

Improving performance

Practising resilience

Supporting resilience

Identifying successes

Working carefully

Recognising strengths

Understanding reactions

Sharing reactions

Recognising reactions

Facilitating discussions

Managing disagreements

Coaching

Motivating others

Emotional intelligence

Taking responsibility

Reflecting collectively

Learning collectively

Developing others

Improving culture

Step

Speaking engagingly

I communicate in a way that is engaging for my audience

Core ideas

What it means to use tone, expression and gesture to be engaging

When speaking to an audience, whether it is one person or a group, it is important to keep their attention and make your message interesting. Simply saying words is not enough - how you speak matters. Using tone, facial expressions, and gestures helps to capture interest and make what you are saying more engaging.

Tone of voice: A lively and varied tone helps keep an audience engaged. Speaking in a flat or dull voice can make people lose interest, while adjusting your tone to match your message keeps them focused.
Facial expressions: Smiling, raising eyebrows, or showing concern can help communicate emotions and make your words feel more real. Audiences connect better with a speaker who looks expressive rather than neutral or serious all the time.
Gestures: Using hand and body movements helps emphasise key points and adds energy to your speech. Simple gestures, like using open hands to invite engagement or pointing to highlight key ideas, can help make your message more dynamic.

By using these elements effectively, you can hold your audience’s attention, make your message clearer, and encourage them to stay engaged with what you are saying.

Why it is helpful to use tone, expression and gesture to be engaging

Being engaging when speaking is important because it helps your audience stay interested and understand your message better. Some key benefits include:

Keeping attention: People are more likely to listen if your voice and expressions are varied and interesting. A flat delivery can make it harder for them to stay focused.
Making your message clearer: Your tone and expressions help give meaning to your words. For example, a serious tone can highlight important points, while a warm expression can make a message feel more welcoming.
Building a connection with your audience: When you appear confident and expressive, people are more likely to feel engaged with what you are saying.
Helping your audience remember key points: Gestures and vocal emphasis can highlight important information, making it easier for people to remember later.
Encouraging interaction: When you show enthusiasm through your voice and expressions, people are more likely to respond and engage with your ideas.

Effective communication is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Engaging speaking techniques make a big difference in how well your message is received.

How to use tone, expression and gesture to be engaging

To keep your audience interested, here are some key ways to use tone, expression, and gestures effectively:

Vary your tone of voice: Avoid speaking in a monotone. Use changes in pitch and volume to highlight key points and create interest.
Match your tone to your message: A serious point needs a calm, steady tone, while enthusiasm and excitement should be reflected in a more energetic voice.
Use facial expressions to reinforce your message: Smiling, raising your eyebrows, or looking serious at the right moments helps show emotion and makes your words feel more meaningful.
Make eye contact: Engaging with your audience through eye contact builds connection and makes them feel included in the conversation.
Use gestures to add emphasis: Movements such as pointing and open hand gestures can make your speech more engaging.
Be aware of your body language: Standing or sitting in an open, confident way makes you look approachable and keeps your audience engaged.

By practising these techniques, you can make your speaking style more engaging, ensuring your audience stays focused and connected with your message.

Assessment

Reflective questions for individuals can include:

What does it mean to communicate in an engaging way, and how are tone, expression and gesture relevant?
Why is it helpful to be engaging when communicating?
How can you use tone, expression and gesture to be engaging?
When have you used tone, expression and gesture to be engaging?

Observation cues for trainers can include:

Is the individual able to use tone, expression and gesture effectively when speaking to an audience?

Evidence can include individuals’ self-reflections, recordings of the individual speaking, and observations from others.

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Skills Builder Benchmark allows individuals to discover their own essential skills.

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Leadership Step 5: Managing resources

Leadership Step 6: Mentoring

Leadership Step 7: Self awareness

Leadership Step 8: Evaluating others

Leadership Step 9: Allocating roles

Leadership Step 10: Facilitating discussions