I've enjoyed a couple of very pleasing wins using signposting lately.
Signposts are most commonly associated with public speaking, where they help guide an audience through your presentation, and keep them engaged.
Here's a quick example. Imagine this brief address, on the subject of keeping fit:
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Exercise improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and boosts mental well-being. It helps regulate weight and lowers the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Regular physical activity also improves sleep quality and increases energy levels. Many people find that working out helps reduce stress and anxiety.
It’s important to maintain a consistent routine to experience these benefits. Incorporating different types of exercise, like strength training and cardio, can enhance overall fitness.
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That's informative enough, but! It's just a list of information, which is rather dull, and runs the risk of the audience switching off.
The problem is that it contains no signposting. So, instead, compare it with this version:
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Let’s begin by looking at how exercise benefits the body. First, it improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and boosts mental well-being.
In addition, it helps regulate weight and lowers the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Moving on, regular physical activity also enhances sleep quality and increases energy levels.
Finally, many people report that exercise reduces stress and anxiety. To get the most from it, a consistent routine and variety are key.
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See how those tiny verbal cues, like First, and In addition etc. guide the audience through your talk?
They also continually refresh the group's attention, because they make clear something new is coming.
These prompts help listeners follow your ideas, understand the structure of your presentation, and anticipate what’s coming next.
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Best of all, they require very few words in exchange for significant impact, as you can see.
So, when you put together a talk, always include signposts.
They're an easy trick to help ensure you make a strong impact.
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On then, to the point of this blog, how signposts can be used in everyday life...
And the couple of wins I've enjoyed by putting them to good work.
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The first was simple.
I had an important online meeting, but I was also expecting a delivery.
I didn’t want the embarrassment of having to interrupt our discussion and explain if the doorbell went.
So, right at the start of the meeting, as we were doing the small talk and introductions, I mentioned I was due an important package.
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That caused a chuckle, and sharing of a couple of brief stories about similar experiences.
- They always arrive at the wrong moment, et cetera.
Which helped to break the ice, but more importantly…
When the delivery did indeed come, mid-meeting (naturally), I was able to collect it without any awkwardness.
All courtesy of signposting that it was likely to happen.
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The second example is far more profound.
I have a friend with a speech impediment.
He’s a great man, very smart, charming, and lovely.
The problem is that it can take people a while to tune in to the way he talks.
And often, to avoid feeling embarrassed, they won’t ask him to repeat something if they haven’t caught it.
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It’s only normally a minor issue, except this time my friend was facing an interview for a big job.
He really wanted to get it, but was aware he had to make sure everything he said was fully understood by the panel.
And he had plenty of experience of people not understanding him, but feeling too awkward to say.
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He asked for my advice, and I suggested signposting:
Right at the start of the interview, dealing with the issue straightforwardly.
Telling the panel about his speech impediment, but then very clearly and robustly assuring them:
They would quickly get used to the way he spoke, as everyone did.
But, most importantly:
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Because this was such a big moment for him, and he wanted to perform at his best…
If he said anything they didn’t understand, they should tell him and ask him to repeat it.
He would not be embarrassed, or feel awkward in the slightest, he assured them.
He was quite used to it, he said, and it was critical he got all his messages across so they could fully understand his abilities and commitment to the role.
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So, finally, the critical the big question:
- Did my friend get the job?
The answer, happily, is...
YES!
And he's loving it, and already making a big contribution.
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That’s the power of signposting, both in public speaking and everyday life.
