Public Speaking and the Wardrobe Effect

Think about your wardrobe. Over the years, you've added more and more clothes—new styles, new trends, new favourites. But how often do you remove the old, the unnecessary, the outdated? Eventually, your wardrobe becomes overstuffed, making it harder to find what truly matters.

Public speaking works the same way. After teaching presentation skills for over a decade, I find myself with more knowledge, more insights, more techniques to share. Yet, I have the same 15 sessions with my Master’s students—no extra time, just an ever-growing ‘wardrobe’ of content. If I try to fit everything in, the message becomes cluttered, overwhelming, and less effective.

Great speakers understand the power of minimalism. They curate their message carefully, keeping only the essentials. Every word, every idea must earn its place. Just as a well-organised wardrobe makes dressing easier, a well-structured presentation makes communication clearer.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is a perfect example of minimalist speaking. At just 272 words, it shaped history and remains one of the most powerful speeches ever delivered. Lincoln understood that great speeches aren’t about saying more—they’re about saying what truly matters.

As Shakespeare wisely put it, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” The most memorable messages are often the shortest.

Before your next talk, ask yourself: What can I remove? What is truly essential? When you strip away the excess, your message will shine, and your audience will remember what truly matters.