"يجب أن يكون الخطاب الجيد مثل تنورة المرأة؛ طويل بما يكفي لتغطية الموضوع وقصير بما يكفي لخلق الاهتمام."

The heart of the quote is about the art of a good speech: it needs to be substantial and informative while still being engaging and not overly lengthy. You’ve probably been in those presentations that drag on and on — it’s like watching paint dry. Or, on the flip side, the ones that are so brief you barely catch the point before it’s over. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle.

This quote has often been attributed to Winston Churchill, a figure known for his sharp wit and memorable speeches. Churchill’s context? He needed to deliver powerful, succinct messages to a country at war. His speeches had to rally, inform, and inspire confidence without unnecessary fluff. Time was of the essence, and attention spans were short.

Alright, let’s break it down with an example. Think about a TED Talk you’ve watched — they’re usually capped at 18 minutes. That’s not by accident. TED curates these talks to make sure they’re long enough to cover the topic but short enough to keep you hooked. Imagine a TED Talk about climate change that just drones on for an hour about data. Boring, right? Instead, a well-crafted 18-minute talk will hit you with the most crucial points, compelling stories, and a call to action, all while keeping your interest piqued.

So, how do you apply this idea in your own life? If you’ve got a presentation at work, start by figuring out the key points you need to cover. What’s the main takeaway? Build around that. Trim the fat; get rid of anything that doesn’t directly support your main message. Keep it tight, yet compelling. Use stories, anecdotes, and maybe even a bit of humor to keep your audience engaged. And don’t forget to practice — timing is everything.

Imagine you’re prepping for a big pitch to potential investors. You’ve got this groundbreaking idea for a new app that’s going to change the world. But here’s the catch — you’ve only got 10 minutes to sell it. You could spend the whole time detailing every tiny feature, but you’re likely to lose your audience. Instead, you kick off with a gripping story about a user’s pain point. You weave in the problem, your solution, and the incredible impact it’s going to have. You sprinkle in some compelling data, and you round off with a strong call to action. You’ve covered everything important, kept it interesting, and left them wanting more.

That’s the magic. Keep it concise but packed with value. Think of it like your favorite song — it’s got a catchy hook and a memorable chorus, and it doesn’t drag on forever. It leaves you hitting replay, not reaching for the skip button.

So next time you’re crafting a speech or a presentation, remember, channel your inner Churchill. Cover what’s necessary, but leave a bit of mystery. Keep them engaged, keep them curious. And for the love of all that is good, don’t let them get bored. Because a good speech — just like a well-designed skirt — should cover the essentials while keeping things interesting. And sometimes, that’s all you need to make a lasting impact.