How to speak to build authority

I have a confession to make.

When I was growing up, I never had any authority.

I know what you’re thinking.

Most kids don’t have any authority.

But as the youngest child in an extended family of teenagers and adults, I was often left out of my cousin’s games and “private” conversations.

My opinions and thoughts never mattered.

This of course made me hungry to build authority.

So I dedicated my 20s and 30s to studying, observing, analyzing and building that authority. And I’m sharing the blueprint that I created with you.

You can use this strategy whether you’re talking to your team, giving a presentation or speaking on camera.

🔥 Balance aspiration and actionability in your words

Aspiration gives your audience goals.

Actionability gives them concrete next steps.

Too much aspiration = empty promises, low trust.

Too much actionability = low motivation, high stress.

You can’t look up to someone you don’t trust.

And you can’t trust someone who has something to hide.

But watch-out: Sometimes transparency about things that are beyond the team’s control might make them feel helpless!

When you’re speaking, learn to read the room.

Are people listening?

Are they speaking up or are they bored/afraid/uninterested?

The earlier you can engage your audience, the easier it will be to get their buy-in.

Asking questions is great.

But asking a lot without standing for something doesn’t help build a “leadership” persona.

Too many questions = interrogation.

Too much advocacy = forcing your point of view.

Keep in mind what you want to stand for, and what you want to inspire in your team or audience: integrity, curiosity, grit etc.

Find different stories from your everyday life that contribute to those values and tell them in every speaking opportunity.

Sending you lots of love this Saturday for a great week ahead where you SMASH speaking every chance you get.