Social Visibility
When I was a child, my mother's duty as an english lady was to bestow us with what she referred to as "proper elocution." Apparently, the term elocution is not commonly used here in the States.
Webster defines elocution as the skill of clear and expressive speech. My mum, on the other hand, outlined elocution as a disposition or comportment that was exuded. With proper engineering, this characteristic portrays an individual who is important and respectable. Simply put, when she talked, people listened. Mother attributed this, in part, to an exemplary understanding of elocutionary skills. I realize now, that this skill is one of the single most sought after in the popular american community. It seems that, no matter how knowledgeable the source, poor elocutionary skills almost certainly equate to low visibility.
Case in point, Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs is the Macintosh mastermind and driving force behind the most profitable consumer item of all time, the iphone. Yet, in comparison to his historically essential status, his social visibility is quite low. Due to his monetary influence, he may be included in an elite roster of socialites, but popular american society does patronize him with the highest levels of observation or flattery.
Why is this? Elocution! Through effective utilization of elocutionary skills, one can command an audience that spans all classes.
Let's compare Oprah Winfrey to Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs's revolutionary impact on the IT industry and technological advances will resound for eons. His technical knowledge alone is something of a prodigious and almost mystical nature. Then why does Oprah garner such greater name recognition and notoriety than Steve Jobs? The answer is elocution. Through practical use of her elocutionary talents, Oprah has established herself as a credible source. She has achieved expert status on many subjects of which she has had no traditional training. From diets to investment tips, Ms. Winfrey doles out the advice, and millions of americans take it in, begging for more.
Oprah was not always seen as a credible expert. She first began as a barely visible journalist. Through proper use and development of elocution, she gained social visibility. As her visibility increased, so did her experience in the real world. As her experience increased, so did her credibility. Expertise, coupled with visibility creates credibility. Credibility, in turn, increases visibility. Do you see how this becomes exponential?
How can you become the master of your business? Your business is, firstly, yourself. Master yourself. Master your elocution.
Do you want to know more about achieving expert status? Well, you can take my word for it, or go straight to my guru, Nancy at http://www.vivavisibility.com ! She will change your life.
Want more words of wisdom? Check out www.oliverdouglasonline.com every Tuesday for the latest. Also, I may post sights and sounds randomly throughout the week. AND check out my new column, starting in next week's pride issue of Buzz Magazine.
