Matt Abrahams

Through the questions you ask, through the engagement you have, through the relevance you bring, that's how you build credibility.

Yeah.

So I think it comes down to really understanding what's important to you and what you stand for and coming from that place.

So what does that mean?

That means when you're talking about anything on a big stage or in a one-on-one interaction, understanding where the value is for you and then articulating that in as clear a way as possible.

So just be true to your beliefs, but you have to first understand and take the time to think about what those are.

Many of us

are nervous or so worried about getting through all our material, we don't focus on coming from a firm, clear, connected place.

So it really has to do with introspection first, and then you convert that into something that's meaningful for the audience.

Absolutely, 100%.

The more we are in our heads judging and evaluating, the more difficult it is to be present and connected to somebody.

I do this activity in my class on the first day that really shows how in our heads we can get.

I borrowed this from improvisation.

I have my students stand up and for 15 seconds they just point at different objects in the room and the only rule is to call it something that it is not.

So you point at the ceiling and you call it a car.

You point at the floor and you call it a calculator.

And for 15 seconds, this is very challenging.

I had a student once who's pointing at a chair.

Nothing's coming out of his mouth.

And I go up, I say, what's going on?