A simple way to stand out as an entrepreneur

Greetings, Chief Storytelling Officers.

Talk about a crazy past 48 hours in the tech world. The Sam Altman news was shocking and one of the most impressive things about how it all played was the public outpouring of support from investors, other founders, and his team at OpenAI.

A good reminder to do right by people. Inspire people and watch what happens.

-Robbie

An under appreciated skill for entrepreneurs

Great public speakers seem like they have a gift that many wish they could figure out. 

You probably want to know how to be that captivating public speaker, just like your favorites – Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King Jr, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Tony Robbins, Brené Brown, Oprah, Denzel, Sara Blakely, Brian Chesky... the list goes on. 

It appears effortless for them but daunting for many. 

This difference stems from a lack of understanding of what it takes to be a great public speaker and the realization that they all practiced and worked hard to reach where they are. Today, let's explore how you can be one of those great public speakers, because being adept at public speaking is a pathway to leadership in various domains.

Great public speaking is something you need during fundraising, board meetings, all hands, recruiting, and all of those public appearances you will be making as you move into the growth and later stages of the startup journey.

As a founder your job is to evangelize and inspire. That comes from public speaking to make your message reach hundreds of thousands of people and even millions.

Going back to Sam Altman, there’s a reason he speaks on major stages and platforms so often.

When you speak well publicly, your confidence soars. This newfound confidence makes you appear more competent, charismatic, and leader-like. 

Remember, none of the great speakers were born with this gift; it was developed.

Public speaking is fundamentally about being comfortable in your own skin. 

It requires introspection and understanding who you are. 

Why should the world take you seriously? 

Because you have something unique to offer. You've seen and experienced things, honed talents, and developed gifts. Identifying and believing in these aspects of yourself is crucial.

A founder once asked me how to overcome imposter syndrome. My response? Do the deep work to understand what makes you special and what you can offer the world. 

Everyone has something unique to contribute.

Identifying your core values is essential. 

They inform the stories you tell, the perspectives you share, and the people you call into your talks. 

(This is a key part of developing the Founder Origin Story. Check out Potential AI to work through this fast and without guessing on anything.)

My favorite speaker, JFK, and his adviser, Ted Sorensen, resonated with me due to my core values. Watching trial lawyers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys helped me understand different styles of arguing and communicating.

I've learned a great deal from observing others, whether it's lawyers in courtrooms, politicians, actors, or even fictional characters like those in "The West Wing." Consuming and analyzing great public speaking plays a significant role in developing your own style.

Pay attention to the people who inspire you when they speak. Figure out why you like listening to them. Then start putting it into practice.

Now here’s a few quick tips for public speaking mastery.

1. To captivate your audience, start with a strong hook. 

   -Use stories, questions, shocking statistics, or recognizable quotes. 

2. Develop a theme and ensure your speech has a through line. 

3. Finish with an emotional impact.

4. Pausing strategically can focus attention and give you time to think. Even in moments of forgetfulness, a pause can be perceived as thoughtful rather than a mistake.

5. Speed up your speech to demonstrate mastery over a subject, showing confidence and control. Those bursts should be for 15-60 seconds and be around 180-220 words per minute. The typical pace is about 130 to 150 words per minute, but mastery allows for flexibility.

Becoming a great public speaker is a journey of self-discovery, practice, observation, and strategic execution. 

It’s about finding your unique voice and style, learning from others, and continuously refining your skills. Remember, everyone has something valuable to offer; it's about finding your way to convey it compellingly. 

With these insights and strategies, embark on your journey to becoming a captivating public speaker.

Resources of the week

Here’s an article from Nancy Duarte on how to measure the success of your talk.

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An amazing video and breakdown from IBM Communication Designer Jeremy Connell-Waite on what it takes to turn a story/presentation from good to great.

Looking to work with me on your storytelling or fundraising?

1. Early users are already getting help from Potential AI on their storytelling to raise capital. The waitlist is open and we are onboarding founders we see as a good fit. If you think that’s you, sign up and reach out to talk with us.

2. My 1 on 1 coaching is for founders that want me side by side with them throughout the storytelling and/or fundraising process. To date we’ve now raised over 660 million dollars through this work in the last 26 months. It’s for founders that have a budget for high touch strategic work to make sure their company can raise their series a round or later. You can apply here to work with me and the standards are high.