One Skill You Need To Instantly Enhance Your Personal Brand, Promotability and Income
How has perceived value affected your personal growth, professional growth, impact, and income? That question reminded me of a visit to a specialist doctor. Discovering this distinction will help you to get the best out of the efforts you already put in because this might be that missing element.
One day my wife and I went to consult a specialist doctor for her nose ailment. The doctor was well-qualified. He gave her advice, solace, and medicine. The consulting charge was $350. ( Higher than we expected)
During our second visit, the doctor was absent and we had to consult another specialist in the same clinic. This new doctor was brilliant and gave her even better advice, solace, and medicine. We looked at the profile of the doctors and found that both of them had similar qualifications, experience, and expertise. This time the consulting charge was $175. Out of shock and curiosity, we asked the cashier. “ Both doctors have similar qualifications and experience. How come the first doctor is more expensive? “
She said “ Oh, he is more popular. He always gets invites to speak at medical conferences. “
How does speaking at a conference enhance people’s perception of you? How does it enhance your personal brand value?
Warren Buffet once said he will give an instant increment of 50% more, for a new recruit, if he or she also knows public speaking. How come many people work hard for that extra 50% without working smart?
Even in the case of Warren Buffet, most people see him as an investor but do not notice that he is a great communicator and influencer, who is able to convince enough other people to believe in his ideas (and even invest in the shares he buys).
That’s the magic power of mass influence through speaking. Those who embrace this power have a definite edge. You have seen how corporate leaders, politicians, and social media celebrities get people on their sides through the power of mass influence. In a corporate setting, public speaking gets you noticed and opens doors to infinite possibilities that help you climb the corporate ladder faster. Conversely, if you can’t speak effectively, it will harm your career. Scott Adams says “If you have speaking skills and ability to use PowerPoint slides, you can be the CEO of many companies.”
Scott Adams says “If you have speaking skills and ability to use powerpoint slides, you can be the CEO of many companies.”
Whether you are an executive, professional, banker, engineer, designer, architect, coach, doctor, dentist, consultant, or entrepreneur here is something to ask yourself — Do you know someone who is less competent than you in your field, but is far more successful?
Listen.
There is no better tool for marketing and promotion than speaking effectively in front of the right people. Is that fair? Is that unethical? The real question to ask is why does the demand exceed supply? Why don’t more people pick up this skill? By developing your speaking competency to a professional level, you can turbo-charge your career, business, and life. You will stand out in the crowded marketplace. The good news is that you can learn this and even master this by picking up the right tools and shortcuts. It is often said speaking is 10% talent and 90% techniques. There is no better time for this than now, because, with social media, your reach is amplified worldwide beyond measure.
For the longest time in my professional life, I didn’t think I should develop my public speaking skills. I used to believe good communicators are born that way. Initially, I used to have what is now known as a “ Fixed Mindset” — ( I am what I am) instead of a “ Growth Mindset” ( I could be what I want to be). Like most people, I felt — I am not a born communicator — So, why should I bother to try? In the meantime, good communicators took away better jobs, better roles, and better perks ( Some were also better at finding partners).
When I started to notice that I am losing out professionally, public speaking was one of the key skills I was determined to master. Why? I realized this is the one thing that can change everything. I did everything from attending workshops to having the right mentors and coaches. Most importantly, I figured out how to excel in professional speaking and conference speaking. Once I acquired the skill, the whole game changed for me. It is as if perceptions about me were erased universally. It will do the same for you. Here is the thing:
Not only will others perception of you change, your own perceptions about yourself will change. You need to realise the value in what you know, dare to speak up when it matter the most and learn how to get people on your side when you need their help.
When you look around your organization and your industry, you can find many competent people who are underemployed, due to lack of knowledge, lack of growth mindset, or lack of initiative, often languishing in dead-end jobs — while their outspoken colleagues steadily climb the corporate ladder. Why don’t they work to enhance their personal brand, visibility, and promotability? The answer is inertia. It is hard to move when you have been resting for a long time. It is hard to change your habits without external help or push.
Successful leaders realise that to grow, you need to do what you have to do, whether you like it or not. Others choose the path of least resistance and no growth.
We often get enquiries from many well-meaning friends and clients to help them improve their leadership skills and speaking Yes, I used the word “skill” — meaning it is something you can learn.
This is a critical skill, a skill you should learn and master, but most people won’t even try. Do you know why?
Here are three reasons
(1) Many realize the power of effective public speaking only after they have had a major embarrassment or career setback. Among those who realize, only a few are coachable and take proactive steps and immediate action to increase their visibility and influence.
(2) Many don’t believe they can become good speakers. They are immersed in self-doubt, without even seeking expert help. Warren Buffet had a morbid fear of public speaking. He enrolled for a public speaking course and initially due to fear, he backed out. Later he persisted and became a confident speaker and influencer. He often says his best investment was in public speaking (not his multi-billion-dollar stock investments!).
Based on my experience coaching people around the world,
I believe that with belief and commitment you can become a fabulous speaker and fabulous leader no matter where you start. Without belief and action, there is no relief.
I have found that the people who transform the best are those who are convinced that public speaking can help them and then take immediate action to bridge their skill gap. Those who keep waiting, see their priorities changing, self-doubt increasing — keeping them mediocre. Just because they are uncomfortable to ask for help and take action. If you are facing this situation, don’t hide, get a guide. Remember, it is not who you are, it is who you want to be.
(3) Many people foolishly believe that more practice is what they need. That is a myth!
If you have been practicing the wrong things, you are only getting better in getting worse faster.
Also, the good is the enemy of the great. You might have seen many who claim to be speakers but have no tangible results to show. Many good speakers do not become great because they stop being coachable. Overcoming your fear is not enough. You have to speak effectively. Here are some tips.
At a minimum, pick up shortcuts and techniques that help you to — craft persuasive presentations, use narrative structures, structure your conference keynote of 40-minute duration on your topic, learn to organise your ideas for each speech purpose, learn how to find an unlimited supply of stories to tell, share sticky narratives effectively to sustain attention and recollection, use delivery tools to deliver your message with high-impact, effectively persuade listeners to think differently, inspire them to take the action you want them to take and learn how to take any question from the audience.
As you can see, it is a combination of Mindset, Message, and Mechanics that puts you on the fast track to success. Also, be willing to listen to feedback. Why is that important?
Every month at Thought Expressions, our clients get to rehearse their real-life high-stakes presentations in front of our master coaches. We help them to perfect their presentations by providing them coaching feedback and our view looking from the audience’s perspective. This makes them well prepared and helps them to relax before their high-stakes presentations and conference keynotes. They can take the stage confidently, knowing they will rock. Have you ever taken expert feedback for your presentations? If not, consider this.
Steve Jobs was known to perfect his presentations by targetted rehearsals and expert feedback. His presentations looks perfect because they are well crafted under expert guidance and well delivered through consistent practice and feedback.
Surround yourself with great mentors and coaches who can help you. Obviously, that’s the best investment of your time and money.
Once you build up your reputation as a good speaker, opportunities start to chase you. For me, my speaking invites and business opportunities almost always come from someone who has seen me speak somewhere. ( No other marketing effort gives you such attention and returns — Watch Free Training: How To Get Hired, Rehired and Referred as a Professional Speaker).
What Can You Do?
When it comes to good public speakers, there is much more demand than there is supply. If you have not already done so, your first priority should be to master this skill. The good news is that you can master this with proper guidance.
If you aspire to be a leader or influencer you can start by crafting killer keynote speeches and deliver them well. Great speeches are not enough. You need to deliver it well. I say The Devil Is In The Delivery.
Call To Action!
Last year, you probably upgraded your phone, gadgets, credit card, vehicle, TV or garments. But, have you upgraded yourself? Make plans to get to the next level this year. It doesn’t matter where you start. It does matter whether you start. Imagine your possibilities and get started immediately without losing any more time.
Interestingly, the only certificate Warren Buffet displays in his office is the certificate from his public speaking course because that’s what led him to become an influencer among investors and the Oracle of Omaha. Where is yours?
Breakthrough to your Next Level with the following programs
I will look forward to seeing you on the big stage. If you like to speak at your industry conferences or build your personal brand as a speaker, leader, influencer with professional-level competency, check out the following globally-renowned programs like Professional Speaking Program. For other programs check below.
For Experienced Speakers
For Leaders & Entrepreneurs
Next Level Leadership Readiness Program
1-on-1 Coaching and Mentoring Program
For Beginners
Overcome Your Fear and Get Started
For Working Professionals
Manoj Vasudevan is an internationally renowned Next Level Leadership Readiness expert, management consultant, and the World Champion of Public Speaking. He helps executives and entrepreneurs to break through to the Next Level in career, business, and life. Manoj is known for his expertise in simplifying complex topics into practical strategies. He is the CEO of Thought Expressions and holds an MBA from Imperial College, London. Manoj speaks at international conferences, multinational companies, universities, and around the world. As a coach, Manoj has a proven track record in personal transformation and breakthroughs. CEOs, Senior Executives, UN Diplomats, Celebrities & Professionals from over 50 nationalities have benefited from Manoj’s coaching. To contact the author’s team click here.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojthecoach/.
