If my premise – the primary purpose of speaking is to encourage the audience to consider their personal insights – is true, then what I have to say will have the desired effect when offered for careful consideration.

Think about what you want to hear from a speaker. How do you want knowledge, opinions and beliefs presented? Go and speak likewise.

Speak to others as you would want them to speak to you.

Speak not to others as you do not want them to speak to you.

Honor your audience's desires to consider what you say, reason from their point of view and choose the better insight for them. Those who will not are not in attendance either physically or mentally.

This may be the most difficult part of being an effective speaker. We have something important to say. When it is an absolute truth to us we want others to know it, too. Still, most, if not all, of our personal "truths" are acquisitions, not endowments. Honor your audience's thoughtfulness.

Finally I am committed to a belief that every person is endowed with special gifts and an ability to make choices.