Habitudes: The Poet’s Gift

Being a Poet-Leader

Jimn Kyles

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The Poet’s Gift

Poets are students of their culture Grab the hearts of readers Express ideas in relevant and creative ways

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Poetry

Poems stand out in our minds and resonate with us at a personal level Do you remember a favorite poem?

Ex. C. S. Lewis “The Apologist’s Prayer”

Still have an old song memorized?

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Poetry

“Poetry” comes from a Greek term describing a written art form in which language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to its semantic content

Uses rhythm, rhyme, and meter (pattern) to elicit emotion and make it memorable

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Poetry as an art form pre-dates literacy People were citing poetry before they could

read it Poetry was used as a means of recording

oral history, storytelling, genealogy, and law The greater part of the scriptures are made

up of Poetry more than prose

Poetry

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Poet

Poetry is created by a “poet” The word “poet” is taken from a root word

meaning “I create” They don’t create out of nothing They read and interpret the culture around

them and put words to what they see

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How This Applies…

Poet–Leader Great Leaders are like poets Poets read and interpret the culture around

them then put words to what they see. Effective leaders do the same

They are listeners They observe They are wordsmiths – they are experts with

words and saying the right thing at the right time

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Rise above the fray of the everyday to inspire and encourage the human heart

They are in a sense poets to those they lead Communicate vision in a memorable way

people remember it when they’re done.

How This Applies…

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“I Have a Dream…”

Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the most

famous speeches of the 20th Century

Six things that made that speech so effective

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“I Have a Dream…”

1. Repetition – he repeated “I have a dream…” several times to drive home his point.

2. He was inclusive, taking his audience all over the US with his words

3. Used familiar metaphors to describe what he meant

Ex. Bad Check

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“I Have a Dream…”

4. Was relevant, since he spoke from society’s needs and concerns

5. He identified with them, speaking of marching and going to prison together

6. Gave the people a point for their heads and a picture for their hearts

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Being a Poet-Leader

Add value by… Interpreting world Summarizing an idea Using “hooks” to share in a memorable way

“I have a dream”

4 Things Poet-leaders utilize… Simplicity Accuracy Imagery Relevance

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Simplicity

Simplicity: Leaders want to impact, not impress They search for the right word They don’t have to “tell all” They exercise restraint

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Accuracy

Accuracy: Selecting the right

word, not every word that could possibly be used

Search for an uncommon word, one that brings both logic and emotion to the surface

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Imagery

Imagery: Making abstract ideas concrete Uses images, analogies, or pictures to help

the listener grab the idea Ex. – The tactic Habitudes uses!

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Relevance

Relevance: A leader observes before he

communicates Aware of the atmosphere Knows what’s going on Reads the situation before action

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Tools for Effective Communication Winston Churchill the Prime Minister of

Britain used 5 ingredients to communicate strongly during World War II. His excellent ability to communicate helped rally

the allies to action and win the war!

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1. Strong Beginnings

Strong Beginnings: He engaged audience immediately with a

relevant thought He didn’t waste time with small talk. He plunged right into his message with a

provocative story, quote, statement, or fact.

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2. One Theme

One Theme: He didn’t try to share too many points, just

one. He had one central vision or message he

wished to convey in each talk. Less is more, in his mind. Often you could

boil it down to one phrase.

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3. Simple Language

Simple Language: He didn’t try to impress anyone with big

words. He spoke the everyday language of

conversations. He didn’t care about his image. He didn’t care about impressing folks. He

spoke for impact.

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4. Pictures

Pictures: He created colorful images in people’s

minds. He was an artist with word pictures, stories,

and metaphors. These illustrated

his point and made

it memorable.

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5. Emotional Ending

Emotional Ending: He concluded by engaging their emotions,

not just their minds. He would give them a call to action. He elicited powerful hunger by grabbing

their hearts with a personal plea to engage in his vision.

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Questions to Ask Yourself (rate 1–10) You read people and situations, then speak

in a relevant way You are skilled at putting memorable words

to ideas You inspire others to act through the words

you speak You are a student of the culture around you

and speak to its needs

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