Kairos: The Secret Timing of Great Communicators

Hello! It’s been a while but I’m back 🙂

I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of timing in speech.

There’s a difference between saying something - and saying it at the right time.

In ancient Greek rhetoric, that difference had a name: Kairos.

It meant the opportune moment. The well-timed word. The speech that works not just because it’s well-written but because it lands at the right time.

Rhetoricians like Isocrates and Aristotle described it as the art of saying the right thing at exactly the right moment.

In a world filled with noise, knowing when to speak matters just as much as knowing what to say.

🎯 Why Timing Is a Hidden Speaking Skill

Most communication advice focuses on delivery: posture, pace, tone - which are all important.

But even a great message flops if it comes too early.

Kairos reminds us that presence is about attuning with the audience. The best speakers don’t need to force the moment.

💡 Three Ways to Speak with Better Timing

1. Read the Room
   Effective communicators pause before they present. They notice what the moment needs and don’t rely just on what they planned to say.

2. Respond, Don’t React
   Kairos is about creating space and enough room for intention to rise above impulse.

3. Align Your Message with Momentum
   Whether it’s a meeting or a keynote, every moment has an underlying current. Match it - and your message will work well.

🛠️ How to Practice Kairos in Everyday Conversations
Before your next conversation or talk, ask yourself three questions:

• What’s the emotional tone in the room right now?

• What do people need to hear?

• When would be the right moment to make this point?

The more you notice the moment, the more your words will carry weight.

🎤 Takeaway
Kairos turns everyday communication into a form of leadership. Speak when it matters, and people will pay close attention.

Until next time,

⭐Hannah

P.S. A quick heads-up: from now on, you’ll hear from me monthly rather than weekly! I’m a bit caught up with some other commitments right now - but the good news is that I’m going to hone in on what I know best: journalism, communication and how businesses can get their stories heard.😄