“A confused mind says no but a clear mind says go.” Craig Valentine

I remember my very first speech when I had newly arrived in the United State. I had arrived at a new job and stood in front of a group of successful sales people. I was asked to introduce myself and remembered every second of the 3 minutes as if it were three hours. I had never done this before and had no idea where to begin. My mind was so full of information, thinking all of it was important to share that I truly didn’t know where to begin. I ended up providing too much information and felt I hadn’t introduced myself or really shared who I was. It was clear the audience was confused to the point of asking a lot of follow up questions to get clarification. Needless to say, I was very embarrassed and frustrated. It would have been easy to share that English wasn’t my first language, but that would have been an excuse that would have hurt me the most. Instead, I made the choice that this was a “Golden Opportunity” to improve connection with others and communicate with influence.

If you are planning to launch into any of these areas or currently are a public speaker, in sales, feel you need to increase on making an impact in meetings, presentations or interviews, read on, as this can benefit you. In the next three minutes you are about to learn some basic fundamental skills about the Power of Speaking with Influence.

By the way, just to finish my story, 15 years after that defining moment, I now have the honor to coach and mentor thousands of professionals and have been invited to speak with highly influential people throughout the world. I am fortunate to work with talented sales teams in offices regionally, as a sales manager and executive coach, speaker and advisor. This brings me great pleasure as I continue to develop and define my efforts as a sales manager, executive coach and speaker.

5 Fundamentals to Speak With Influence:

1. Tell Your Story – You create an invaluable connection when your audience feels your emotion and can relate to your story through similar experiences, whether it’s a challenge, opportunity, or growth. Let your story lead to their

“Connecting with the audience isn’t just a skill, it’s an art.” Farshad Asl

2. Make Your Point – While you share your story, make clear strong points that frame what you’re telling your audience. Your audience will remember you through the story you tell because of the “Golden Nuggets” shared.

Golden Nuggets = The Value Added to the audience

3. Use Emotion – As you take your audience through the journey of your story, help them to feel the emotion. Use humor to soften and help illustrate the challenges, ending with a powerful lesson and a positive end to the story. Leave people with a feeling of optimism and eagerness to go forward with their journey. Uncover emotional moments within your story that keep the audience engaged and interested.

4. Visual Goes Before Verbal – You’ve heard the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words”. It’s so true! Use visual aids but keep them simple.   If you are speaking about “Dreams”, show a “mission statement”, “dream board” or a symbolic picture. If you are speaking about “Increasing Sales” show them your “Why”.

5. Close with a “Call to Action” – Speaking with influence requires you to conclude your speech with a “Call to Action”.  This is often overlooked yet so critical to everything you’ve said up to this point. Make it clear and simple, customized to each audience. Include a strong invitation to have your audience act upon it. Focus on clear results with a sense of urgency to act NOW.

Additional examples might include:

• adopt a new business process
• increase month-end sales
• sponsorship and event
• attend a sales meeting or workshop
• donations or funding for research
• join a club or organization

It’s important to stop in our busy lives and remember that God has a plan for each of us. We all have an individual purpose to be our best in his great plan. There will be set-backs that occur from time-to-time. Do not let them get in the way of your talents and gifts that have been given to you.

Most important, never lose hope and never give up! You have a unique story to tell to the world.

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And more…

“Leadership is influence, nothing more…nothing less.”

~John C. Maxwell

My journey with leadership began about 20 years ago. During the last four, I was fortunate to be mentored by Dr. John C. Maxwell, the #1 leadership coach in the world. From his teachings I have made considerable progress which I’d like to share with you.

But first, let me ask you this question. Have you ever worked with a leader who holds you back? Or that you feel your growth is limited, perhaps lacked opportunity or felt you’ve gone un-noticed? Maybe you and your manager don’t have the same vision and this slows down or stops your progress? It isn’t that your manager is a bad person or has it out for you, it’s more likely that they are comfortable in their leadership and lack the effectiveness. We refer to them as “leaders with low lids”.

Let me explain how this works. If you’re a leader who has become comfortable with “what works” you have limited yourself and everyone you influence with a low lid. This goes along with not having any interest or idea how to lift the lid. It leaves the team feeling frustrated. I’ve experienced this scenario in the past and know the feeling. Instead of quitting, I made the choice to learn from the experience and provide effective leadership to the people I coach and influence. Here are the three lessons that I’ve applied to my leadership skills.

1. As a leader, I strive to become a “Lid Lifter” for others and invite open communication, respect and coaching.
2. I never want to be a person comfortable with a “low lid” and hold others back. Instead, I learned to be that “lid lifter ” for the team and everyone I work with.
3. And finally, in “lifting the lid”, it’s a choice that doesn’t happen by accident. It takes discipline, self-awareness and dedication.

I have deliberately created a “growth” environment surrounded with positive people and daily accountability. I decided to challenge and grow myself working with some of the best people in the world. It begins with understanding your level of effectiveness and what you can do to develop it further. This is explained by Dr. John Maxwell who teaches the fundamentals of “Becoming a Better Leader”, with understanding.

Understand the “Law of the Lid”

One’s leadership ability is determined by a person’s level of effectiveness. The lower an individual’s ability is to lead, the lower the lid. The greater the desire to influence through leadership, the greater the effectiveness and ability to increase growth and direction. The issue is not that you have a “lid”, but instead, what are going to do to lift it? You cannot lift the lid on your own, it’s based on the personal and organizational effectiveness of the leader.

Understand the “Law of Influence”

The true measure of leadership is through influence. Without it, it’s difficult to lead others. Watch out for negativity and maintain a positive influence. Leaders have the choice to create a winning environment. Remember, it’s the level of influence and not the challenge that determines our ability to accomplish the end result.

If you want to impact your community, country or the world, you must start at home with yourself and your family.

Understand the “Law of Process”

The secret to success is found in our daily plan. Leadership development occurs daily and not in a day. Growth as a leader takes a lifetime. The plan requires patience and the ability to develop and improve your skills. The process is part of our daily habit to build a strong leadership foundation.

Understand the “Law of Faith”

Get to know God’s plans and perspective in your life. Return to the fundamentals and your purpose becomes clearer as a leader.

The Bible is one of the most powerful leadership books ever written and has some great passages to include in your process of becoming a better leader.

Proverbs 16:9 – A man’s heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps.

Psalm 78:72 (NIV)

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

Romans 12:8 (NIV)

If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

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and more…