The Six Secrets of Connection How’s your funny bone? Can you add a little more fun to your message? I won’t go deep into humor in this book. I already have a workbook that serves that purpose. It’s called “Humor CPR” and you can find it on Amazon. 2. Humility They Don’t Connect to Perfection, but rather to Imperfection The speaking business is filled with people who brag about going from earning zero to six figures of income in less than a year. There is no shortage of Facebook selfies posed in front of fancy houses and sports cars with taglines that say “This could be you!” I have never seen more people openly claim to be the “world’s most sought after” in a world that has no idea who they are—claiming to be experts in an industry that has no idea they exist. I am amazed at how many speakers openly boast on social media about how good they are, forgetting that a true professional would never walk up to a group and start telling them how much money they make and how big their last audience was. That is no way to make friends and form deeper connections. Yuck. Someone once advised me that as a speaker I should never act like I don’t have all the answers. Someone else advised me to “look the part”—meaning I had to invest in a thousand-dollar suit. Not my style. My style is not to come before your group and make sure you realize how high above you I am. My goal is to make sure you realize I’m one of you. I don’t scream my own praises or claim perfection. In fact, I claim imperfection—almost as a personal brand—and this is what makes me connect with audiences wherever I go. It is my secret weapon. The worse I get, the more they love me. It is quite possible to find a happy balance between humility and honoring your achievements. How are you at admitting a little vulnerability once in a while? Try it. You might be surprised. Flaws don’t make you weak; they make you human and relatable.
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