1. Use “Rule of 3.” The most successful speakers limit their remarks to three major points. Here is where you use your signature stories (your own personal stories) to support your points and help people visualize what you are saying.

2. Every five to seven minutes, back up your facts with signature stories (about you or others). Stories are out there everywhere. Find them in stores, at restaurants, on airplane, at home. People retain information better when they hear a story.

3. How quickly do you get to core of your audience’s problems and challenges? Skip what is between their ears and go straight to their hearts.

4. Practice pausing before and after important points. Don’t be afraid to leave open space. The use of silence is a key requirement to becoming an effective speaker.

5. People delineate their thoughts visually. Speakers are to words as an artist is to a painting.

Now, there are at least a couple of ways we can look at checklists in a communication context. First, in strategic sense, and second in tactical sense. You'll probably recognize tactical advantages of using checklists: a clear and logical, as well as economical, way to write.

But, let's start with strategic perspective today, and explore checklists as a tool for achieving our objectives.

Specifically, that means we'll think of using them to reinforce or change perceptions of others. For example, if you write out information about something that has to be done, a checklist sends a couple of messages. First, that you're a well-organized person, and that your process is quite rational.

The creation of a checklist, in itself, should send a message that you've given more than cursory attention to message. It implies that you've thought about process you're asking others to follow. It also implies that you've taken extra time to compose your message; you've added value by adding additional structure.

The recipient of your message, then, should have sense that you take message seriously, because you've taken extra trouble to develop it in an orderly way. And, that kind of perception, in turn should make recipient more willing to follow your instructions.