Gratitude Quote by Bill McGowan
““Gratuitous Gratitude Gratitude has a place, but don’t spend the first full minute of your remarks thanking a long laundry list of people. If you must convey thanks—for instance to your superiors—do it quickly and then view what comes after your thanks as your true headliner. The Buried Lead Nearly all presentations could be drastically improved with one quick and simple edit: lopping off the first two paragraphs. Try it. You’ll be amazed at how engaging an abrupt start can be. Why slowly build to making your point when providing an unexpected jolt to your audience works so much better?””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Presentation Coaching Talk, 2020
Excessive gratitude at the start of a talk distracts listeners; a brief, bold opening captures attention better.
In simple terms: Skip long thank‑yous; start with a striking point.
Key Takeaway
Begin with impact, then thank later.
Themes
communication
presentation
attention
style
Mood
energetic
confident
Type
advice
instructional
When to use this quote
- business meetings
- conference talks
- academic lectures
- webinars
Key Concepts
psychology of persuasion
audience engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance politeness with immediacy?
- What bold opening would suit your next talk?
A Different Perspective
If you skip gratitude entirely, you may appear ungrateful.
