When you stand to speak, how connected do you sound? The difference between a nervous, disjointed delivery and an authoritative, calming one often comes down to two musical terms: staccato and legato.
Staccato delivery is where your words are clipped, short, and intentionally disjointed. It’s often punctuated, causing your speech to sound jumpy and separated. While it has its uses for sharp emphasis, relying on it suggests either an anxiety or a lack of connection to your material. It prevents the smooth, melodic stream of sound that draws a listener in.
For the vast majority of your presentation, you must aim for Legato.
Legato is Italian for ‘tied together’. It represents a continuous, smooth stream of sound that links your words seamlessly. This technique is your secret weapon for sounding calm, authoritative, and completely in command of the room. When your words flow effortlessly, your message lands smoothly, and your pauses – when you choose to take them – become incredibly powerful moments of emphasis. Master the flow, and you master the presentation.
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