Without oracy skills, we would struggle to communicate our ideas and opinions, leading to challenges in personal and professional settings. This can include difficulty building relationships, advocating for ourselves, and contributing to group discussions.
What is oracy?
Simply put, oracy is the ability to communicate effectively in spoken language. Practicing oracy is at the heart of Conversational Leadership. I have written more about oracy here but here is a definition:
Tag: oracy
(22)Why is oracy important?
Oracy is vital because it allows us to express ourselves clearly and effectively in various situations, such as in a conversation, a presentation, or a group discussion.
Oracy and rhetoric
To communicate effectively, it’s important to have strong oracy and rhetoric skills. While oracy involves communicating clearly and confidently through spoken language, rhetoric is the art of persuasive speaking and writing.
Tag: rhetoric
(12)To learn more about rhetoric, see this post, and to compare oracy and rhetoric, read this post.
How do we develop our oracy skills?
Most of us already have well-developed oracy skills, but we can further develop them by:
- Practicing speaking in different settings, such as with friends and family, in front of a mirror, or in a public speaking class.
- Listening actively to others and paying attention to their language, as well as their delivery and nonverbal communication.
- Reading and listening to various texts, such as news articles, podcasts, and speeches, to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
- Using different speaking techniques, such as pausing, varying intonation, and using gestures.
- Reflecting on our communication, identifying improvement areas, and seeking feedback from others.
- Continuously exposing ourselves to different cultures and languages to learn and adapt to various speaking styles.
Developing oracy skills allows us to communicate effectively and confidently in spoken language. It is by far the most important Conversational Leadership skill.
In-person, 7–11 September 2026, Warbrook House, Hampshire, UK
We are living and working in conditions of uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change. Many leadership approaches still rely on control, expertise, and tools that no longer fit the realities people face.
This week-long immersive workshop brings people together to practise Conversational Leadership as a shared, lived experience. It is not a training course but a space to slow down, think together, and explore how leadership emerges through dialogue, responsibility, and real engagement.