Imagine walking into a room full of strangers…
Within minutes, they’re leaning in. Nodding. Smiling. Hanging on to your every word—not because you raised your voice, waved your hands, or threw a quote on a slide, but because you did something deceptively simple:
You asked a question.
… and not just any question. The right question—one that stopped them mid-thought, rewired their expectations, and made them realize:
“This isn’t going to be another generic speech.”
Just like that, the power dynamics shifted.
You weren’t a speaker on a stage anymore. You were a guide, a challenger, a co-creator of thought. You flipped the script.
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: Audiences don’t remember most of what they hear. It’s not because your content isn’t brilliant, but because the delivery is too familiar, expected, or linear.
Tell, tell, and tell.
Even the most polished speaker can lose an audience if the flow feels like a one-way street. After all, in public speaking, we often treat the stage like a pulpit:
“Here’s what I know. Let me tell you about it.”
The thing is, people don’t want to be talked at; they want to be talked with.
That’s where “Ask Before You Tell” changes the game…
The Power of A Well-Timed Question
A question is not a detour from your message. It’s actually a vehicle for it.
Besides, questions do something that facts and slides cannot: They create cognitive friction, spark curiosity, and make listeners reflect, connect, and engage before you even deliver your point.
Questions matter because:
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They shift attention inward.
When you ask someone, “When was the last time you felt truly listened to?”—they go there. Instantly. You don’t need a chart for that.
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They build anticipation.
Questions open loops in the brain… and the brain hates open loops.
We want closure, which means questions will make your audience lean in to hear how you resolve or answer that question.
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They turn the audience into participants.
Even rhetorical questions make listeners feel seen and involved. Through it, you’re not just delivering a monologue but also starting a dialogue.
So, do you want to command attention from the get-go?
Lead with a question! Then, build your message around that curiosity.
Here’s a suggestion on how to do it:
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Start with a Disruptive Question
Instead of leading with a claim, statistic, or agenda, open with something provocative or introspective:
“What if everything you believe about success is wrong?”
“Why do we remember some stories forever and forget others instantly?”
“When was the last time you felt truly inspired at work?”
These aren’t “small talk” questions. They challenge, invite, and unlock emotional responses.
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Let Silence Do Some Heavy Lifting
After you ask, pause. Let the question breathe. Silence creates tension—but the good kind. It’s a signal that the moment matters.
This isn’t dead air. It’s active thinking time. That pause can do more than a dozen bullet points ever will.
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Deliver the Insight in Response
Now that the audience is primed, give them the answer they didn’t expect—or better yet, a new way of seeing!
Don’t just tell them the point. Make it feel like they discovered it with you.
This shifts your message from a directive to a revelation.
Here are some real-world examples of questions that captivated audiences from all over the world:
- Simon Sinek didn’t open his now-iconic TED talk with a mission statement. He asked: “Why do some organizations and leaders inspire, and others don’t?” Millions of people clicked “play” because they needed to know.
- Brené Brown could have lectured on data. Instead, she asked, “Why do we struggle so much with vulnerability?” She didn’t just inform; she also connected.
- Barack Obama, in campaign speeches, often opened with, “Do you believe in the possibility of change?” Such a question became a movement.
See?
Whether you’re delivering a keynote, pitching an idea, leading a workshop, or even presenting to your team on a Monday morning, questions scale.
They disarm defenses, spark self-discovery, and make YOU a better speaker!
So, the next time you’re planning a talk, ditch the opening slide filled with your credentials. Save the bullet points for later—if at all!
Start with a question—one that digs deep, sparks thought, and sets the tone for everything that follows.
… because when you ask before you tell, you do more than deliver a message; you also create a moment.
Such moments are the ones people never forget.
About The Dynamic Marketing Communiqué’s
“Thursdays: Speak on the Shoulders of Giants”
In a meeting with one person…
… a boardroom with five people…
… or a huge venue with hundreds of people…
—whatever the situation or setting, it’s very important to learn and eventually master the art of public speaking.
No matter what, you always need to effectively get your message across.
What good is a presentation with awesome content if you don’t deliver it properly?
Every Thursday, we publish different tips, insights, and secrets on how you can improve your presentation skills to captivate your audience and lead interesting discussions.
The need for great presentation skills applies EVERYWHERE.
(Small meetings with your team, big meetings with your boss, an important marketing pitch, speaking engagements for events with a big audience, etc.)
Learning these skills is not just for the corporate world. Being in other industries such as the Arts, Information Technology, Medicine, and Education while knowing how to communicate and present well will definitely give you an edge.
Have that advantage.
Hope you find this week’s public speaking tip interesting and helpful.
Stay tuned for next Thursday’s “Speak on the Shoulders of Giants!”
Cheers,
Henry Desai
Managing Director
Valens Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
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