Communicate to Resonate.

Last fall, I was at an event for entrepreneurs that culminated in a Shark Tank-like experience. Five founders were given the opportunity to pitch their business, and the winner would receive funding and access to a larger community of start-ups. It was one of those crucial moments where you feel the pressure rise in the room.

Of the five entrepreneurs, two are etched in my memory for different reasons. The first had an incredible idea for increasing diversity in the film industry, and in my opinion, was one of the best ideas of the night.

The second standout idea came from a team of two, who are changing the picture (racially and socioeconomically), that comes to mind when students think of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). They have found a way to make STEM accessible and appealing to students with less resources than those typically involved in these types of programs.

Fast forward to the following day and only three of the five entrepreneurs would place. As third place and second place were called, it was neither of the businesses that stood out to me...This is when the reality sank in that one of those two teams, who had arguably the strongest ideas of the night, would not even place in the competition.

?Before I share the winner (who doesn't love a good cliff hanger), there is one differentiator I didn't mention about the two stand out groups.

?The delivery of their pitch.

?Why delivery matters

While the first entrepreneur battled through technology challenges and nerves, which understandably threw her off her game, the STEM team struck this jazz-like balance of being loose yet structured.

?They played off of each other, engaged the crowd, and made us feel connected to their business. In some ways, their pitch wasn't even about the idea. It was about a new story they were writing in the lives of students, and that night, we were all invited into it.

?As you can probably guess by now, the STEM team won the competition.

?Where do we go from here?

I left the event with a mix of emotions. I had excitement for the winning team and validation that the craft of communication I love really does make a difference. However, I also felt sadness for the individual who didn't place, because the distinguishing factor between those two teams was in the delivery, not the ideas themselves.

It reminded me of a quote leadership expert, Jeff Henderson often says,

??"The best idea doesn't always win. The best communicated idea wins."

That quote resonates with me because I want to help and feel uniquely qualified to.

Wrapping it up

For the last decade, I have been blessed with opportunities to speak to groups ranging from 9 to 9,000 and have learned principles to communicate in a more compelling way.

Whether you are an individual contributor at your company looking to launch a new initiative, or an entrepreneur preparing for your next pitch, I want to share what I have learned in hopes that it will help you too.

Over the next few weeks, I will share three principles that have helped me in my communication journey for you to consider in your next presentation.

You have a unique story to tell and compelling communication will help you resonate with all who listen.

-Fred