Development 4 Managers.com

Purpose

What is Your Personal/Professional Elevator Speech?

Many people are familiar with the concept of the Elevator Speech. If you were getting on an elevator and someone asked you what your company does, what would you say during those few seconds that clearly describes what your company does?

This exercise helps people clarify the vision and the mission of their company. But I ask myself, do people also develop Elevator Statements for themselves? We forget that we should have a clear vision for ourselves, both professionally and personally. What is your professional and your personal elevator statement? And what is the most important ingredient in that statement?

The secret ingredient to any really good elevator speech is excitement. Of course your speech needs to be clear, and short, and to the point, and clever, and all those things... but if you just recite the speech like you are reading it from behind a wallet-card... it is worthless.

Whatever your speech is, say it with excitement, like you believe in it with your entire being. Smile while you say it, and be energetic. Do these things, and you'll make believers of your listeners in the elevator.

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful. . . . Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."_Ralph Waldo Emerson.