Impromptu

About the Author

Judith Humphrey is the founder of The Humphrey Group, a premier leadership communications firm established in 1988. As a pioneer in teaching top executives effective communication skills, Humphrey has worked with global clients to enhance their leadership presence. She is an acclaimed speaker and a columnist for Fast Company, with other notable books including "Speaking as a Leader" and "Taking the Stage: How Women Can Speak Up, Stand Out and Succeed."

Main Idea

"Impromptu: Leading in the Moment" by Judith Humphrey emphasizes the importance of spontaneous communication for leaders. The ability to speak effectively on the spot is presented as a crucial skill that can be developed. Humphrey provides actionable guidance to help leaders influence and inspire in various impromptu settings, such as meetings, hallway conversations, and digital communications.

Table of Contents

1. The New World of Impromptu
2. The Power of Spontaneity
3. The Impromptu Mindset
4. The Leader’s Script
5. Lay the Groundwork
6. Read Your Audience
7. The Scripting Template
8. Impromptu Scripts for Every Occasion
9. The Impromptu Stage
10. Rehearse Your Remarks
11. Choose Your Words
12. Find Your Voice

The New World of Impromptu

In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, the demand for spontaneous communication has surged. Formal speeches are being replaced by impromptu exchanges that occur in meetings, corridors, and online platforms. This shift reflects the need for leaders to communicate authentically and informally. Back in the 1980s, CEOs and top executives rarely spoke spontaneously, but today’s leaders must be able to speak off-the-cuff to be effective.

"The rise in impromptu speaking reflects three closely related developments that have changed our world." - Judith Humphrey

Three developments have driven the rise of impromptu speaking. First, organizations have become flatter, reducing the barriers between top and bottom levels. Second, technology has accelerated the shift to distributed leadership, with emails, messages, and social media allowing for more spontaneous communication. Third, the interconnected world has dissolved time zones, making information flow constantly and necessitating quick, impromptu exchanges.

The Power of Spontaneity

Spontaneous speaking holds significant power for leaders. It allows for repeated reinforcement of messages in various informal settings, facilitating collaborative idea sharing and timely problem resolution. Authenticity and charisma are enhanced when leaders speak off-the-cuff. Repetition of messages in impromptu settings ensures they resonate with the audience over time.

• Elon Musk’s conversational approach to speeches.
• Mark Zuckerberg’s emphasis on idea sharing through spontaneous conversations.
• Sundar Pichai’s impromptu discussions leading to better decision-making.

"Spontaneous speaking allows you to be authentic and trustworthy." - Judith Humphrey

The Impromptu Mindset

Effective impromptu speaking requires the right mindset, which includes the intention to lead, active listening, authenticity, focus, and respect. Leaders must be prepared to seize spontaneous opportunities, engage fully with their audience, and deliver clear, focused messages. Developing an impromptu mindset involves several key elements.