"I Have a Dream"
How do leaders use their voices as instruments of change? They communicate in a way that connects with the hearts and minds in their audience.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uses 3 different voices of leadership in his speech: Teacher, Visionary, and Changemaker. He uses these voices to issue a Call to Think, a Call to Feel and a Call to Act.
Introducing the Engagement Loop
Audience bring more than just their minds into a presentation to learn. They hearts and bodies are also available to take part in the learning experience. Leaders who engage with all three prepare their audiences for success.
The first synchronization happens with a call to think. Using the voice of an advisor or teacher, presenters spark curiosity with well curated content. As the conversation progresses, brain waves become synchronized.
The second synchronization happens with a call to feel. With the voice of a storyteller or visionary, presenters introduce potential futures that inspire and energize the hearts in the audience.
These third synchronization happens with a call to act. After successfully connecting with hearts and minds, the presenter can use the voice of a leader or changemaker to invite their audience to take action.
A Call to Think
Dr. King uses the voice of a teacher to highlight the opportunities and risks of space exploration. This voice synchronizes the brain waves in the audience.
"In a sense we've come to our nation's Capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.
This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check; a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
A Call to Feel
Dr. King uses the voice of a visionary to help the audience envision the emotional experiences of the journey ahead. This voice synchronizes the heartbeat patterns in the audience.
"But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice."
A Call to Act
Dr. King uses the voice of a changemaker to invite the audience to support the nation's effort to win the race to land on the moon. This voice synchronizes urgency of now with the audiences desire to participate.
"We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.
Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."
Summary - The Engagement Loop
The Engagement Loop is a communication framework that creates three experiences of synchronization: a call to think, a call to feel and a call to act.
Dr. King opened with voice of a teacher, and issued a "Call to Think" about new content or new perspectives. He continues with voice of a visionary, prompting the audience with a "Call to Feel". He finishes with the voice of a changemaker and confidently issue a "Call to Act".
Use the Engagement Loop to prepare your audience for success. When you've synchronized the minds, hearts and bodies in your audience, they will leave your presentation knowing exactly what to do, where to go, and how to win.
Synchronize Your Voices of Leadership
Synchronize Your Voices of Leadership
To synchronized your voices of leadership, consider joining our Synchronized Communications MasterClass. Over the course of 12 sessions, your team will develop a Habit of Practice and an Ecosystem for Practice. The goal for each leader is to be Fully Prepared for their most important presentations and conversations.
Schedule an appointment with one of our executive communications coaches, and learn how the MasterClass will prepare you to generate money, support and reputation from all of your leadership presentations.