๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ฝ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
“Grasp hold of your subject, the words will follow.” โ Cato the Elder
There is often a temptation, when preparing to speak, to focus on the words. We spend hours crafting sentences, rehearsing phrasing, tweaking the script. All in pursuit of saying itย just right.
And yet, Cato the Elderโspeaking more than 2,000 years agoโreminds us of a simple truth: when you truly understand your topic, the words will come.
I have seen this again and again, both in my own work and in the work of my clients. The speakers who make an impact are not always the most polished, but they are the most prepared. They know their material and they care about what they are saying.
And that makes all the difference.
Putting the principles of Cato into practice
Here are three simple principles to help you prepare with the wisdom of Cato the Elder in mind:
๐ญ. ๐๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ, ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ.
Donโt just skim the surface. Go beyond bullet points. Understand the logic, the stakes, the โwhyโ behind your message.
๐ฎ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐๐ ๐น๐ผ๐๐ฑโ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐.
When you speak freely about your subject, you reveal what you know and where the gaps are. Itโs one of the most effective ways to sharpen your thinking.
๐ฏ. ๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ธ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป.
Unless youโre delivering a formal speech, most presentations today are conversations in disguise. When youโve done the work, youโll be able to adapt and connectโnaturally.
So yes, work on your delivery. Refine your slides. Choose your words with care because they are important.
But follow the advice of Cato the Elder and start with the foundation: understanding what you are talking about and why the audience should care.
Because when you grasp the subject, the words will follow.
