The day I noticed my freckles.

One of the first things you'd notice about my appearance would be my freckles. I was blessed to be born with freckles covering my full cheeks and some other areas of my face. Even though they are that obvious, I rarely noticed them when I looked in the mirror. I was just seeing my face.

One day, something hit me. I'm not sure what it was, but I looked in the mirror and started observing my freckles, each one of them, fully realizing that I own this unique feature that would resonate with anyone who sees me. From that day, I started looking at my face differently.

That is precisely what happened with some of my skills.

Although I've always had a sense of my abilities and strengths, I've often made the mistake of viewing some of them as unremarkable. When situations arose that challenged that belief, I tended to push the realization aside.

I realized that my reluctance to embrace my talents fully came from not wanting success to come solely from something I was naturally good at. I wanted to earn it through hard work and dedication. This shift in perspective made me see that I have a responsibility to develop those skills and use them in ways that benefit others. From that point on, I started recognizing my abilities and focusing on strengthening and refining them.

But this isn't really about me—it's about the clients I work with daily.

I encounter many professionals who view their skills or talents as nothing special. They often mistake this mindset for humility or rationality, not realizing that downplaying their strengths does them a disservice. Ignoring these gifts can be one of the biggest mistakes we make.

This isn't an invitation to become arrogant or inflate your abilities; it's about acknowledging your strengths and working on them just as much as you work on your weaknesses. We each have unique qualities, and the beauty of human collaboration lies in how we complement each other's gaps, combining our skills and talents to achieve success.

In my work with my clients, I help them bring their distinctive skills and characters to the surface, acknowledge them, and embrace them. While public speaking involves certain universal elements, each speaker's style will naturally differ due to their personality, expertise, talents, and values. Making a lasting impression on your audience is not just about following techniques or trends. It’s about understanding what makes you stand out as a person and professional and presenting that authentically.

In today’s world, we are constantly exposed to messages, whether from meetings, events, or media. Standing out as a speaker requires more than catchy phrases or storytelling techniques; it demands a deeper understanding of yourself and how your unique blend of qualities can serve your audience.

Instead of resisting your strengths, focus on developing them while also addressing your challenges. The next time you speak, ask yourself how your unique attributes can help your audience achieve their goals, and let that guide you.

I'll leave you with that thought.

www.yasmineelbaz.com

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