Be the speaker behind that microphone......

“Human potential is infinite. The limitation is one’s willingness to explore.” - Inspired by Bruce Daisley, Author of “Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat: 30 Hacks for Bringing Joy to Your Job.”

Leadership is an inborn quality with every human being. When you listen to the historic speeches by the most powerful speakers in world history, Kennedy’s inaugural address("Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You,") “I have a dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr., or in recent times, Obama and Modi captivate you with their command over language, storytelling, and content. They inspire you and at the same time pose a question - Are they superhuman with extraordinary abilities?

In our daily life, we encounter various leaders on the podium at many official or personal events, conferences, award ceremonies, book launches, get-togethers, etc. When you hear those speakers on stage, you have your own idea and opinions and visualize yourself to be there - yet, never attempted that. Why? Maybe the fear of public speaking, fear of lack of content, or the worst, “I do not have the leadership skills to be on stage and no one is interested to hear me or my thoughts.” This is my attempt to help overcome that crisis. I have gathered these nuggets by listening to many self-help and motivational speakers and reading many books on how to grow as a person and be yourself. Over the years, I have been intending to practice some of these principles myself. I hope this helps a few readers to elevate their life.

“Leadership’s not a title. It’s a behavior. Live it.” – Robin Sharma, the author of “The Monk who sold his Ferrari.”

Principle 1. Be yourself. No one will value you more than you value yourself. Everyone has unique potential and the world wants to know about the same.

Principle 2. Start with your story. You are never out of stories for the audience to hear. I have heard interesting stories during my Uber rides which can be good movie scripts! The experience, the struggle, the achievement, the inspiration, work ethic, the history of the place you come from, are very unique to each of us. You can engage any audience with the same - it just needs a little bit of finesse if you are on the podium.

Principle 3. Create a leadership role for yourself. Growing up in India, I have seen fewer leadership positions available for our previous generation. There were a few government positions that were widely regarded as the leaders of the small city or town. The officials were invited to every other function as the guest of honor, speaker, or chief guest. There were very few voluntary organizations/clubs and were never respected by society to be invited for any function as guest speakers. The majority of the generation is retired now with private life and has never been on the stage speaking to an audience. They never had the opportunity nor the platform which is available to all of us. We can be the title-less leader of our own world and create opportunities to speak to an audience. Here are some ideas to inspire -

a.    Monetize your skills: I do not mean literally when I say ‘Monetize.’ It’s more about leveraging your skills to speak to an audience. If you are on a job, you have some unique skills for which you are paid for. There are a few in the society who would like to hear and learn from your experience and expertise. Don’t know who would that be? Look at the educational institutes, community colleges, small businesses - they are always eager to hear!

b.    Voluntary or Charitable Organization: if you are engaged with any of them, you have the opportunity to speak about the organization to a group to promote and speak about the activities. Someone needs to speak to attract more charities - be that person!

c.    Community organizations: there are hundreds of community organizations for various categories - there is a community group corresponding to every WhatsApp group??. Be the voice for some cause which is close to your heart!

d.    Create a self-help group on something relevant to a group of people: it can be something related to learning a new technology, project management principles or a group to exchange ideas on Investment planning. You can start with a small presentation in your apartment community’s annual function!

Principle 4. Express Right. I picked up this name from a business run by my friend to help kids from a young age to develop public speaking abilities ( www.expressright.com). With the easily accessible platforms, training coaches these days, one has unlimited resources to overcome the fear, prepare for a topic, and deliver. It’s always about the content and delivery. Find your sweet spot with a lot of practice and a right coach.

Principle 5. Never stop learning.  The curious “you” should stay alive until the end. That will ensure to provide you a topic for any audience!

Principle 6. Onwards. I am fortunate to have worked with many good speakers in India and the USA. There are many in my LinkedIn connections from that list. I am looking at those illustrious connections to add and grow this list of principles. Keep watching the comments section!

The bottom line. As the saying goes “Vision without execution… is just hallucination.” Dream big, be the leader and be on TED or TEDx somewhere talking on some topic of your choice!

References:

• TED Conferences LLC (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an American media organization that posts talks online for free distribution under the slogan "ideas worth spreading". TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an invitation-only event where the world's leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration. https://www.ted.com/
• President John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1PbQlVMp98)
• I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King. Jr (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP4iY1TtS3s)
• The Speech that Made Obama President (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFPwDe22CoY)
• The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life – Robin Sharma
• Talent Platform for the younger generation – Express Right(https://www.expressright.com)