Vollständiges Transkript von The Truth About Standing Out on Stage with Sarah Archer

all the judges, but what brings you back year on year? speaker-1: I think the idea of the awards is really good because I do think the whole reason you set it up, as I understand, was because there was this gap in the industry of an independent awards to sort of showcase what's good about speakers. And I think what I really enjoy, I enjoy seeing the variety of speakers. I also am interested to see you know, where speakers are in terms of standard and what's going on in terms of the way that they're sort of presenting the ideas that presenting and so on. So I just I enjoy seeing that variety. I enjoy seeing great speakers. You know, I still think that there is there a minority in some cases. And I like to showcase those people who have. put the time in to get great content and great delivery because it is about those two things. It's about substance and style ⁓ and where we can really showcase those great examples of that, I think it's a great thing to do. speaker-0: Great. So as I said, we're always grateful for yourself and any judge to get involved, right? And you're doing it three years running. So three years, this is your third year. So for the last two years, what, you know, what does good look like? What have you seen that really stood out for you? What are the kind of applications that you're like, yeah, before we go into no, but what are the, what are the, yeah. speaker-1: I you know, I've mentioned this before, but I think the ones that take it to the next level in terms of performance, in terms of, you know, that owning the stage, that commitment to their message, you know, because there are a lot of speakers who will half ass it in some sense. And I don't know if like in, I'm an actor and, ⁓ comedian as well. I, when you watch an actor, for instance, that doesn't commit, it really falls flat. I think, you know, whilst speaking isn't like jazz hands, you have to commit and perform. And I'm going to say perform in a way that you have to be authentically you and your personality has to shine through. but we have to bring the words alive in a way that engages, that moves and all, know, emotionally engages and grabs attention of the audience. And I think the, that's for me, what makes the great application stand out is those people who you can tell the passion, you can see the attitude coming through, you know, you can see the variety in, in the shape of the application and you can see someone who has crafted that piece of work and been committed to getting their message across in a way that absolutely lands with impact with the audience. speaker-0: So there will be one person that does jazz hands and that would be jazz on par far. She's the only person that would have jazz hands because her name is jazz and she has hands. So jazz hands, that's when you would accept jazz hands, but jazz isn't allowed to enter anymore because she's in the hall of fame. So in that respect, you won't see any jazz hands. So tell me why I really want to pick up

that is, you know, a bit like an actor commits to the character, right? They're fully in, they're immersed, right? That's how they become, that's the great actors. They're pretty, like you say. as well, if you've been seen. What is a speaker that commits to the craft of speaking in your mind? speaker-1: So, you know, I can give you some examples from last year. So Dell, who won, she won best storyteller. Yeah, Adele Bates and she you can see in that entry, you know, she created a whole scene for the audience to step into with minimum. is not like she had a whole set and props. She had one chair. speaker-0: Adele, yeah. speaker-1: ⁓ and she created a scene that really hit home the point she was making. She became a different character and she took the audience with her on that journey. And I think that's that for me, it stood out really from, the other, you know, heads. It's in show that there was there was a few but this one was the reason that it stood out is because I could see this whole thing being brought to life it was an experience for the audience as well as being a really important message and audiences you know you can have slides and I'm not nothing against slides slides are great but if you can create that for the audience it lingers in the mind and that message land so much harder so that's that's one of the key things that stood out for me. I think Nicola was the one the other category that I was judging ⁓ in relation to her entry. I think her message was, you know, and it's Tedx, so we want to have that super, super clear idea that whilst it's simple, is profound and lingers. And I think the thing with Nicola is she that stood out is her personality shines through so strong and and still she lifts the thing up into a performance level without you know without anyone thinking it's you know it's stage you know overly performance it just it was just really really strong and she she embodies that commitment I think to the piece in terms of she she gives it leaves it all on that on the table and And yeah, it's really, really strong. So those are the things, you know, yeah, I think it's, it's so important that you, we don't want to become someone else when we are speaking. We want to be ourselves, but we want to use all the tools that we have to bring that message alive for our audience with this voice, you know, the, the, you know, choreography for the talk, ⁓ body language. you know, creating those pictures for our audience that help the message land. So, yeah. speaker-0: love that. Adele was on this podcast, so anyone listening want to hear what Adele had to say, we do have a podcast with her. Also, Adele, show, so we have a resource page now, Sarah, I don't know if you knew that. I don't know why I said your last name there. I don't know why it's trying to sound all official. I could have just called you Sarah, right? Anyway, there's a resource page on the speaker awards.com that and we actually feature Adele's entry. So this year, what we've done is we featured, we've highlighted a few, do know what does excellence look like? people can actually see, but not go, ⁓ my God, they're so good, because, okay, that's what I need to look like ⁓ to get some inspire inspiration from. ⁓ the last thing you want to do is compare to despair. ⁓ my God, they're so good. I know I'm as good as that. That's not true. Our message is always back yourself, right? And that's kind of, you've to back yourself. ⁓ and the key thing that we're finding from generally speaking, from a lot of people that applied a lot of people on one and even with them, one, ⁓ they talk about how the process helps them streamline and get very focused in, right? So from a judge's point of view that sees the end result of that, you've told us what excellent looks like. What does not, what does not excellence look like? No names mentioned. speaker-1: No, no, no. And you know, I did actually do a podcast episode on this. If people want to go deeper, did sort of do the good, bad and the ugly, but not naming names, just, you know, Yeah, absolutely. I think there, when you get to the level of Nicola and what they have done is they have built up speaker-0: Yeah. speaker-1: additional skills and invested in, you know, perhaps some, some comedy, some, you know, improvisation they've done, they've, you can see they've invested in their craft. think what's stood out from the other side of the coin is where people haven't really thought through, how is this going to come across to the audience? How am I going to keep this? audience engaged. There were people who were very much telling rather than showing. I think this is a huge thing. know, we cannot tell our audience anything. Our job as speakers is to lead them to see it for themselves. And especially in a storytelling category. Right. You know, and I would say, to be honest, any category, you know, telling a story, bringing the narrative to life, bringing the message to life is something that needs to be there at a minimum. Because people don't want to be told. They will encourage resistance. So making sure that you are sharing a bit of narrative so that people can see themselves in the message. Also, ⁓ Not you know, you can tell the people where it felt like there was a it was a pitch going on. Okay, yeah. speaker-0: Yeah, you're the second, no, third judge to mention that by the way. I want to back to your flow, but Ricky, Dom, and you now have all mentioned that people have felt the pitch. speaker-1: Yeah. And even to the point, you know, where some people were showing their books in the video. I don't, you know, I'm not interested in your, as it from a judge's perspective, particularly, not interested in what you're selling. What I'm interested in is, well, I am actually, qualify that I am interested in your selling your message. What I'm not interested in is you selling your products or services or books or whatever it is. You know, my job is to assess whether you have sold

me on your message. Have you got me bought in to the idea that you're trying to get across? Have you got me bought in to you being committed to, you know, that message? And, you know, as you said, the thing behind the awards is back yourself. And I think there is a back your words as well ⁓ in terms of speakers. And that comes back to that commitment. I think there are some simple things like if you're telling a story about you as a younger person or a child or whatever, don't put things that an adult would think into the perspective of that child because it breaks that fourth wall. you like, your audience is going to be stepping out and going, well, that doesn't make any sense. And I think that's the thing is, again, you've got to be ahead of your audience. If I say this, if I ask this question, what am I audience going to be thinking? And I need to be delivering, you know, or answering, you've got to be one step ahead of your audience. So I think there's, you know, the things that stood out on the other side was a lack of preparation, the pitching, just in not paying attention to what the audience needs in order for this message to land. ⁓ Yeah, I hope that gives you some help or not. speaker-0: Yeah, yeah, definitely. For me, I can't apply, so... speaker-1: Not you particularly, but you the wider audience. speaker-0: Yeah, so would you say then you've come across quite a lot of over indulgent, like people get too self indulgent in what they're putting forwards versus something that would sell their message, their speaking, their delivery better. speaker-1: Definitely, think, and I think this works on two levels. And this is something that you see, you know, is this for you or is this for your audience? So is being absolutely ruthless in cutting things which aren't relevant to your message. And you know, there's a lot of fluff in some senses. And I think being also, when we look at self-indulgence, is your message, like is your talk. going to be relevant for people and be relevant for a commercial market, ⁓ whether that's corporate, whether that's individuals, are people gonna wanna hear this message or is this ⁓ a pet thing for you and no one else actually cares about it? So it's thinking about that as well. And I think one of the criteria often comes up is bookability, not in every category I don't think. But are you solving, is there a real issue out there that this is solving for people? And is this message gonna be landing with that target audience in the way that you want it to? speaker-0: Right. You know, there is, there is the bookability now, isn't it? And that is judged by speaker bureaus. they're judged by bookers. ⁓ you know, it's kind of like the people that enter that are either already very established and want to get an extra kudos or they want to get in front of, so they go for the bookability category. So what are you excited about this year? You know, for us, it's year five, for you it's year three. What excites you about the

awards this year before we change angles? speaker-1: think the same things as before in a way, is how much have people grown? People have seen what's happened in the past. Have they taken that on board? ⁓ In a sense, every year the awards is a year older, you have an advantage over the previous applicants because you can sort of see what kind of things are winning and getting shortlisted. How can, How can I, and we don't want to copy, but how can I, back to that sort of bar, how can I make sure that my stuff is reaching that bar? Now, that's not to say that you need to be a 10, 20K speaker to enter the awards, but we do want to see a level of investment in yourself and the message. to the point that it lands and it comes across and we can see that you've paid attention to the important things around story, engagement, all of that stuff. So yeah, so I'm looking forward to seeing that whole, whether the bar has lifted again. And I actually just love hearing these new ideas. I've got a curious nature. ⁓ And I think also the world can seem, especially at the moment, quite a dark place. And I think what's also really lovely is that most of the people that speak have an important message to share. And it's a message of hope often, of light, and it's a lovely antidote to what is going on in the wider context. So that as well. speaker-0: Brilliant. of course, it's a great day and a great evening on the third of July, which is where the winners are revealed. And of course, where we have the Speaker Summit, which is run during the day, which is a separate thing to this. when you set off, I'm going to ask you this question, actually, because somebody emailed it in. Right. And so. talk in their living room for the awards. How much would that impact your perception of them? Or does it not matter because you're judging their speaking? speaker-1: To be completely honest, I... a conscious I wouldn't let it influence me if I had an amazing speaker and I mean sometimes we can't you know there are some professional speakers out there who are getting paid maybe they haven't got that professional on stage video done ⁓ so at a conscious level I wouldn't mark them down except I would say that if you aren't on stage. I think the people who have got that stuff on stage have got an advantage because they are, you know, they're on stage, they're using the full range, you know, they've got more space to bring the message alive. And I think that, you know, that does give them an advantage from being viewed from a judge's perspective, because I'm seeing that whole thing. If there was a story, if it was storyteller, for instance, I would still be able to judge their ability as a storyteller, whether they got me into the story, their skills. But again, would I be able to Adele one because she was able to create that scene? So it would depend. If you're going to film at home, you've got to film it to the point where I can see everything. I can see what you're trying to create. can see and hear clearly. ⁓ So I won't mark people down because they're not having a professional video. I would just say that if you aren't, then make sure that as a judge, I can see everything and you're giving yourself the best chance ⁓ to bring that story or whatever it is. I don't know what category I'm judging this year, but that message to life. speaker-0: We haven't revealed it yet. We shall reveal it this week. Everyone's been allocated. I can't remember off the top of my head is the honest answer. Yes, no, absolutely. That's what we say. My response generally is if you feel it reflects your ability as a speaker, go nuts. it in your living room. Just don't have dirty washing in the background or anything like speaker-1: No, mean, yeah, that I would absolutely, you know, if they hadn't, they hadn't been even couldn't be asked to clear the space and make it look then yes, I'd be like, you aren't taking this seriously. speaker-0: Right, exactly. No dirty knickers in the filming. speaker-1: Exactly. Yeah, so like just treat it like a, you know, this is if you're making the time to bother to do this, then give yourself the best chance and think how am going to come across as professional as possible ⁓ in the space that I have available. speaker-0: I think that's great advice good and I'm glad because she emailed in today well today and then I responded but why I will do is I'll let her know that we answer this question on this podcast Yeah, so really good really exciting times. We're seeing the applications come in I don't know how many of the weekend have completed we almost a hundred in total that includes in draft though ⁓ I don't know how many have crossed the line ⁓ But I can't reveal who and what but this year we actually have a celebrity enter speaker-1: ⁓ there you go. speaker-0: So yes, I was like when I was going through, oh my gosh, it's that person. This is someone that was in my youth. I was growing up. I can't give too much away because then people might be able to anyway. So wow. Brilliant. Let's see. But you know what? This is the point. Everybody's going to be judged equally. It really doesn't matter who they are. It matters what you do because this is a speaking competition. Ultimately. And like you mentioned, you don't have to be a 10 or 25K speaker weekly, get those enter and some of them don't, doesn't, that doesn't automatically mean that they're suddenly going to win, right? Everyone's measured equally. Everyone's marked equally, regardless of status, earnings, et cetera. So just want to reiterate everybody that is listening and watching live on YouTube. And just remember that the applications as this has been recorded closing 10 days of the speakerwards.com is the place to go. So get your application in, don't leave it to the last minute. Give yourself time. You can edit up until the actual date can close and it will close midnight 30th. There's no haggling. There's no bribing. It shuts. That's it. It's done. Window

closed, locked, sealed, nailed in. It's not opening. So make sure you get applications in 10 days to go as a record this. So by the time you listen to it, it might be less. I don't know. Sarah, outside of being an amazing speaker, what's Judge? Tell us a little bit more about what you do beyond. the judging because there's a tiny tiny part of what you do. speaker-1: Hmm. So basically, there's a few things. So I am an international speaker myself. I speak on ⁓ communication, strategic storytelling for ⁓ organizations to help them get buy in, to help their leaders ⁓ launch change effectively, ⁓ all sorts of all stuff around that. So giving people a cheat code for communication. ⁓ speaker-0: I like speaker-1: Yeah, so that's that. I also work with ⁓ individuals. it could be corporate leaders, ⁓ authors. I work a lot with business authors who want to turn their book into a profitable talk ⁓ and experts who absolutely want to nail their signature talk. So I work with them to help them nail their talk and get them booked and getting paid. And I also write plays and do comedy and so I have a theatre company that also goes out on the road ⁓ doing shows so that's the majority of what I do. speaker-0: So you do many things, but all kind of in the same space. You're still kind of all involved stage, performance, delivery. speaker-1: Storytelling I think is like my, I think that's the golden thread through everything that I do is, you know, stories. Whether that's strategic ones for business or ones for getting a message across in a play or whatever. yeah. speaker-0: Good and and how are you finding with the current climate? Everything that you else you do are you finding that it's affected in any way or you're finding not like I guess it's all different right theaters one thing comedy is another speaker-1: Yeah, I mean, I, I would say theater is one of those luxury items. Okay. In the sense that people, you know, I think it's very hard, especially for live performance. Um, generally people have got into a little bit of a rut with COVID or whatever, and there's so much variety available on TV. Um, all the streaming services now. Um, I think also that. theater is, this is a side thing, but it's becoming quite elitist in the sense that it's very hard to make it pay outside of the West End. And even in the West End, most of the West End stuff has got Arts Council funding. And I think it's such a shame that we're in danger of losing this art form that is so powerful. I love film, I love TV, but there is another... You know, there's just another experience being live in a theater where people are on stage. So yeah, so I, you know, we're doing okay. We're not out until all the time, but ⁓ I do think that it's harder to get bums on seats in a live space. yeah. speaker-0: So here's something that's going to zoom in out actually quite a lot. Um, I wanted to ask you this before, but I think this is the moment to ask you. I'm ready. I'm ready. Locked and loaded. Do you

feel, cause I've been listening a lot around AI and stuff like that. Both the kind of the amazingness and the other side of it. And I wonder, and I've noticed statistically as well that people are craving connection more. speaker-1: locked and loaded. speaker-0: Right, because I think like the data side of our world is easily taken care of the chat duties of the world the clouds the da da da da right we can get information we've always had like it's the next level of getting information but what we're finding for example with Gen Z is they're going less and less posting and more and more connected right so they're going into whatsapp groups or they're going into dark postings like places where they can connect I don't mean dark as in sinister And actually the internet's plateaued and actually content has kind of reached a level where first of all, people don't trust it because AI can generate so much of it. So there's a distrust. So what I wanted to ask is, are you seeing more craving for connection and therefore you're kind of seeing more of an uptake on things because people want to be in a room. They want to feel the person. They want to hear the person, right? Even these days, think now what we're going to see more and more skepticism around video content. So how are you finding that aspect of your, of your speaker-1: Yeah, it's it is it is something I think that's a that's true that ⁓ People are looking to have those Certainly in a in a coaching space. So we I will be doing some live events this year myself around ⁓ You know speaking working with speakers, you know directing them to bring their talk to life But I want to and I feel like people are are actually looking for that high. Yeah touch and connection. ⁓ I think that there is a backlash against AI and I agree, like it's so difficult to know whether this is real or not and it makes you skeptical of anything you see. think, know, fortunately, you know, there are ways you can tell and I think if this is also going to be really important for Creators who have is building up that trust with their audience that there's no way that this could be AI AI and that you are you know, you know showing up as yourself and You know, I'm not saying you know, I think there's a place for AI. I use AI for research It's so much quicker. I will use AI for bouncing ideas off of you know, would never you know I'm just about to start writing a fiction book. I I wouldn't dream of having AI involved in that in any way of the writing in the same way that I would say speakers who rely on AI for talk content. That's a big mistake because it will never, you you can edit, you know, you can get ideas, maybe even get it to edit and help with that, but never, never just do a talk. It'll be soulless. won't be you. Yeah. I think you're right. I think And I hope that that will also translate into more people going to the theater to you know to add live performances but I think I think you're right I think that tipping point has probably been reached. Yeah so and now the question is around money you know can people afford it right so it's like it's it's a challenge it's a really challenging context that we're living in at the moment but I think you're right. speaker-0: Yeah, it is challenging. I think, I mean, I said this post pandemic that, someone said to me, you worried you want a rewards company? It's an events company. essence, we're an events company, right? And we're looking for international growth and things like that. Even the district looking to grow into it was like, ⁓ the war, right? But first of all, the war won't be going on back then. then someone goes, yeah, but that's what they said about the Ukraine. And I'm pretty certain the war won't be going on in a year's time. But they're like, ⁓ but you run an awards company, you run an events company, aren't you worried about people, you know, not attending? And actually, if we look at the data and I look at what's going on, I think people are hungrier than ever for having to have authentic connection, to be in the room, to feel people. Because whatever AI can do, it can never do that. It can never replicate human connection. It can never replicate Smelling the person's perfume next to you right or their aftershave it can have connects the shaking on the hat It can't replace that you know a speaker going wrong on stage and having a laugh about it or you know Playing with the audience right it like on the moment Maybe you can train AI to come but you know who knows who wants that right? So I think in that respect and I think we will see more rooms getting busier Hopefully theaters in your case as well because people will want the live they want the live right we've done the the living in in rooms and streaming and watching talks online and plus you know we have like you said we have information going out of our ears right I always said a very rude word there and I stopped myself but you know I think people are craving connection and they also I don't know how you're finding this this leads to my next question I think people want to see imperfection speaker-1: Yes, yeah, I think that's true. think not only does it give you some sort of, you know, guarantee or in a way that it is like, and also, you know, if we're perfect, we're not relatable. There's no human being that is a perfect human being. And I think that the people relate to you better if you are able to show that you're human, that you bluff things or that you are, like you said, live and in the moment. My dog just coughed a little while ago. I can do about that. We're live. But I think you're right. think that it's showing our humanity. And all that that constitutes in terms of flaws, foibles, quirkiness, that's what makes you attractive to people. But owning that, know, being fully self-expressed is the way that people come to you. And perfection and, you know, ⁓ dashes. You can even tell though when the AI is trying to be human, it's still

like, no, you really caught that up. It's not, know, so yeah, so I think that's right. think we need to embrace our humanity and all that that entails to and share that with people so that it, you know, it builds that connection and trust with our audience. speaker-0: Brilliant love that and on that note. I don't know about you, but in our household The kitchen table is the hub of everything right so I've got two young kids and a wife and then there's me I think I constitute as a young kid as well It seems like our kitchen table is no matter how many times I've tried to move it off the kitchen table get my kids to do things elsewhere The kitchen table is where art craft We eat there, we talk about our future, we talk about aspirations. We also, you know, have stressful dinner times like most families, you know, it's the hub of everything. And that's kind of like, so the kitchen table for us is, the hub of the future. what's on your kitchen table? speaker-1: ⁓ yeah, I think... think so as I mentioned to you before we came on air my my other half is is pivoting in career and so that's thrown up for me a whole you know period of introspection where I'm assessing you know am I joyful in what I'm doing and I think what is what I've conclusion I've come to is that I am needing to speaker-0: Right. speaker-1: follow what brings me joy. And I think, and ⁓ if I can focus on that, so this is what's on my kitchen table, doing projects ⁓ and things that bring me joy. And that is where my creativity and flow come in. ⁓ Also got to put food on the table. And this is what we talk about. We've got to have that Venn diagram overlapping between joy and commercial viability and all of that stuff. But to prioritize that, ⁓ and I'm also a ⁓ bit of a nerd. I play a game called Magic the Gathering and I've set my sights on ⁓ trying to do some competitive tournaments for Magic the Gathering this year as well. So I'm enjoying ⁓ learning and developing as a Magic the Gathering player. So it's very nerdy. speaker-0: What is it? I don't know anything about this game. Go on give us a level speaker-1: It's so top level. It's a it's a trading card game Similar to they know there's pokemon. There's lorcan. There's those that people probably heard of pokemon magic The gathering has been going since the 90s. It's a it's a game where you cast spells And this is the human connection side there because you know, I play magic twice a week We with a whole variety and demograph. You know, we go to the local game store and we play magic in various formats and it's a laugh and it's a social thing as well as a, you know, keeping you sharp strategically. It's a very strategic game, but you know, it's, it's, can learn it easily, but you can also keep growing at it. So yeah, it's, it's a, it's really cool. So I absolutely love it. I've got addicted to it myself and my wife got addicted to it and yeah, I play it at least, you know, once to twice a week. So it's cool. speaker-0: Well, good luck in your competition. You know, it's interesting because I think every now and then, especially as entrepreneurs or professional speakers, you kind of hit that intersection of going, you know, what makes me happy or what brings me. I mean, I talk about fulfillment versus happiness, right? Because I strongly believe happiness comes and goes. We're human beings like we have these days, but fulfillment is longer lasting. If you're fulfilled, you can have happiness and unhappiness within that. But if you don't have fulfillment and you have happiness and it's a lot. speaker-1: Yeah, no speaker-0: like the drop is much steeper. Yeah. Or a life of purpose, one might say, like if you have a life purpose, there's ups and downs, right? Yeah. And it's funny because like we talked to Flair is I'm on an up level with everything around this business, including the commercial aspect of it. And it's interesting because I still coach myself and I still do other stuff outside of the business. But in an ultimate ideal world, I wouldn't write all my energy would go into it. And so part of our uplifting is bringing to that point where I, you know, can phase out other things that I'm doing. And I want to, it's not like I'm resenting. It's like, want to do that. So you do have to find that balance of, you know, the commercial aspect and fulfillment. And so yes, like yourself, we're working on that as well. And, you know, I've got some stuff after this where I need to my head down and get right, which can help make that happen. So it's interesting. And I was at that place. We were talking about last year and for me it was a real interesting, it wasn't prompted by my wife, it was prompted by, I'd done a training down in Sevenhook. So every now and then I'll do like a day training and then a filming day. So it's two days where speakers come, we take them through a structure and the next day they film it. So this year we filmed it live in a theater, big theater, know, great experience. And I remember last year I was there and normally when I finish these trainings I'm buzzing. I'm alone and I'd arranged to meet someone it was her birthday. It's like yeah, know, like how it normally be but finish this particular one I had a headache. I was tired. I didn't want to see anyone. I was like, what is this? And I remember I was in this hotel and I left my phone in the room on purpose because I didn't want to I wanted to sit with it. I want to go is this and I remember sitting there and I'd ordered my dinner and it's just me and no one else and no phone and it just came to me. It's like I just don't want to do this. Right. I've done training for God knows how many years, like well over a decade. I'm kind of done with the training side of things. And that was kind of the beginning for me of removing things, right. Gradually removing things. ⁓ and, and like, and so it's led me to a much better place, but equally things need to up level with that. So was that similar to you? Is it

just prompted by my, your wife kind of going, ⁓ I'm going to do this. And you're like, well, what do I want to do? speaker-1: Yeah, I think so. think we are going to shake things up in terms of offerings. I've been reading a great book by a lady called Elsie Lincoln Benedict, who was around in the early 20th century going around lecturing. She was quoted by someone called Napoleon Hill, who is the author of Think and Grow Rich. I took some time out. about a week out just to work through the book is called how to get anything you want. The first you need to be clear on what you want. And so I was literally working through, you know, that whole thing of what does bring me joy of what I do or what I could do, you know, what, brings me joy? What do I, what is my deepest desire that I want to commit to and, you know, work towards myself. And then I do believe in the universe delivering. as to you as well if you're working with it to co-create your future. So yeah, so I spent time out looking at what are the things that I do. you know, will let go of some things. I will introduce some new things. And yeah, we'll be making some changes to the way that we operate going forward in the same way. think, you know, and I think that's the thing if If you do have that sort of, there's another book where the body always keeps the score and your body is telling you that that wasn't what you want to do. And I think if you feel sluggish, if you don't want to jump out of bed and go and, you know, do things, then that's an indicator that you see maybe something needs to shift. yeah, I think maybe it's the time for it. Maybe it's something that's happening because of other things that are happening out there in the world as well that is causing this. shift in people or that period of introspection. So what do I really want to spend my time doing? Yeah, it's interesting. speaker-0: Yeah, I think especially when, you know, quite polarized, divided these days. Unfortunately, it doesn't have to be. I think that a lot of people find themselves reflecting on what they really want. And I think probably one of those periods, I mean, I got there last year, you know, other people get there at different times. And I think we're always evolving, right? So I think this is something that even when you arrive somewhere a few years later, you're like, hey, this isn't what I want anymore, right? I want this. Yeah, I think it's being brave and acknowledging that, know, and it's hard sometimes, especially if you've built mass wealth and you made loads of money. It's like, ⁓ do I really want to leave this and but what's the price? The price on the other side is potentially a life of misery or compromise on who you really, really, really want to be. Right. And I think that's a big. speaker-1: Yeah, definitely. speaker-0: So as we start to wrap this up, I was asked this question. what's, what should be, what should we be speaking about that we're not speaking? speaker-1: Hmm. Interesting one. I was, was on a podcast the other week and they asked me what was I seeing happening in my industry. Um, so obviously, you know, as I mentioned on the other podcast that I was on DEI is taking a bit of a hit because of the wider context of things. I think, I think it's really, I think this really important thing is that What you don't want to speak about is stuff that you perceive is popular and jump on the bandwagon. Because if you're not fully, you know, feeling it and it's not a message that you really care about, then I think if you're just doing it for purely commercial, that's the other side of the coin. It's not going to be coming across as authentic or whatever. I do think, you know, it's impossible not to consider the impact of technology and AI. And I think that there will be for a lot of people angling that into your message, not to take over your message. But, you know, like you asked me that question, it's going to come up in future of work. It's going to come up in anything relating to work. It's impossible not to acknowledge the impact of this going on. I think that if we are craving human connection, might be an avenue to look at how do I speak about that? How does what I do link into that? But yeah, tech, connection, I mean, and you've got those evergreen subjects of communication, leadership and all of that sort of stuff. I think people are going to be coming to a crossroads too. We've been talking about it. I think there will be... a number of people who will be the fallout of AI in terms of their careers will need to shift. I think that there will be, certainly in the B2C space speaking, there will be an opportunity for people to, and potentially in the corporate world as well, if you can talk about what's next for people and how to discover that, that may be a place as well. ⁓ Yeah, so there is a few things that I'm thinking about. speaker-0: So what's one thing you'd like to highlight in this? speaker-1: So in terms of where people, what people. speaker-0: In terms of what should we be speaking about and we're not speaking about bringing bringing to the forefront of conversation. I might not respond, but you know, this is your chance to kind of. speaker-1: So on stage or off? speaker-0: Anything, anything in the world that really you think we should be talking more about that we're not talking enough about. speaker-1: I think one of the things that's really, so I'm a LGBTQIA person and I was talking the other day about how labels are being weaponized in order to sow division. Yes. And how important it is for what can absolutely be an antidote to that is telling the story of a single person and knowing the person. And because as soon as you can understand how things impact one person, then it takes all the power away. I think we should be speaking about ⁓ humanity and human being. I think that connection thing is important from that perspective as well, because we don't want to be talking about big groups and labels. And

I think the more that we can bring it down to the level of individual and bring people's attention to real life stories rather than labels and groups and that sort of thing. That's what I think is really important. You know, we've got to, and this is not where I expected to go with this, but... speaker-0: Okay, that's exactly why I asked this. speaker-1: Yeah, I think, you know, the world is a difficult place at the moment and it's easy to people are feeling anxious and I think it's easy. You've got some people will say, well, I'm not going to look at what's going on because then it won't affect me. But then there's the other, but then the other side of that is how do I be a good corporate citizen, good, sorry, good citizen in the world? And I think it's just by, you know, like make being kind, being human, reaching out. and focusing on the things that you can influence and control. you know, so there's a lot there. So the one thing is, you know, I think, you know, being, kind, I think it's, it's, it's, it's, you know, it's one of those things that's overdone, but like, think about people as people. speaker-0: Can you ever overdo being kind? speaker-1: No, maybe not. But I think it's just recognizing what's the same about us rather than what's different. Yeah. You know, that's the most important thing to speak about, I think, is what brings us together rather than divides us. speaker-0: Yeah. It's interesting. Cause I, when I hear you speak about that, in my new book, I talk about that actually, how do you take on that? talk about certain attitude and how do you do that? If you are, you know, from a different community, a different sexual orientation, a different race, I talk about that. And actually one of the things I do talk about is the way to disarm. is to tell your story and your experience. Right. And I think, you know, cause if you go up to groups, people can't relate often to groups or they just be then, then their stereotype comes projected onto that group. But when there's a person in front of you going, well, this is how it's happened to me. Then it's very hard. ⁓ I didn't realize it impacts you that way. And I want to ask you this and feel free ⁓ not to answer. It's not a controversial question, but I find it's the gray areas. that are the hardest to approach, right? So if someone's outright prejudice, you kind of get, know what you're getting there, right? And then it's a choice to fight them. We're just going, you know what? I'm actually not going to influence them. Then of course you go to people completely on your side, which is great. We want those people. I find when I kind of, cause you know, I'm Argentine, half English. I've got various heritage going on in me. And I find it's the gray area that is more the, the cutty side of things. Cause Then you'll see in there weighing up. Do I, do I tackle this? Is it gonna, is it, or is it, is it not worth it? Like, and that's where I find I've got the most dilemma is in the gray area.

Like when someone's a prick, they're a prick, right? And you're not going to change their a prick and they're racist and they're whatever, misogynist and chauvinist. And sure, there are people that go, you're disgusting and they're going to, but you're going to met with fierce aggression. And then it's a choice. And I completely admire the people that go for it. Right. You take those people on. it's the gray areas to me that i also the most dangerous from your point of view what do you think and speaker-1: I think it's really important in those situations. you know, often people will say things that ⁓ they've heard or whatever, they're not, you know, they're not, and I think it's important. can, you know, like you said, if they're completely at each end of the spectrum, no point, but I think it's important to challenge that, but to do it in a way that is bringing people towards you. often talk about the pull and the push and speakers have a role. And this is something for people to take on board. If you push your audience away by saying something provocative at the start of your talk, by challenging something they believe to be true, ⁓ then you always want to pull them back to you. ⁓ There is a way to challenge what people say or get them to try and see another perspective in a way that builds Bridges in connection rather than tears them down So I I would if it was something that I really wouldn't want them to go on believing this if it wasn't true Then I would then I would probably you know gently try and ⁓ Show them another perspective and I would say that's a really valid View and that lots of people have that same view, but I don't know if you've come across this And then I will try and again, I will always go for a story if I can, because that's the best way to so I don't know, like I would because I think lots of times when these things go unchallenged or that's when that person tells another person that, you know, my parents do it a lot and, they, and that the problem is it's all algorithm driven as well, because the moment you click on something, speaker-0: Yes speaker-1: you're going to get more of that stuff. And also I think the other thing is that people can get in an echo chamber, even the best intentioned people. And I think it's always good to try and see multiple perspectives, you know, before coming up with your own even. So, yeah. speaker-0: And from your world have things got better, the same or worse? speaker-1: in my world in relation to speaker-0: being married to a woman and what you're seeing. Cause you mentioned the DEI space, right? So do you feel that people are more tolerant, more accepting? Do you feel the last few years have destroyed that and there's now a massive separation? speaker-1: Okay. I don't feel, mean, I'm blessed to be honest. live in West Sussex, 20 minutes from Brighton. So I, and most of the time my clients and people I interact with, I don't feel any issue from that perspective. I think in the community, there is still issues around trans stuff. Okay. I'm not trans. I can't speak on that, but I know that that's. a group within this, you know, sex community that is, still having some issues. I would say the biggest thing that I see and feel, not so much myself, but stories of is the difference being a woman. So over being gay, being a woman is still one of the biggest issues that I see. And I think this is something we really have to guard against as a society because there are. speaker-0: Okay. speaker-1: It feels like, and I see things that there are agendas getting pushed to backtrack the ground that women have made up over the years in terms of equality. I feel, I can see that slipping in certain areas. And I think what's really interesting is that, and I said this the other day, the companies who were paying lip service to DI to, you know, women's equality in the past. If all of that's gone now, because it's politically gone the other way, then we can see whether their commitment was real or not. So that's going to be interesting to see when things swing around the other way, they were the ones who kept on going. But yeah, women and women in speaking is a huge speaker-0: There's a big one. speaker-1: Yeah. And you know, I heard story just the other day around fee discrepancy and, and, you know, an agent saying they couldn't put the woman's fee up because it would price her out of the market and the men are charging double. And it's that stuff is still, I would say a big issue. speaker-0: Yeah, no, that's not that. mean, we do our as much as we can. We're not perfect, but we do as much as we can to champion and to get women and to make sure it's an even, you know, even line up as much as we can. If not, like the whole VIP day is women led on the day before the summit. Yeah. Look, we don't always get it right. Something Adele said, actually, when I asked her, like, attracted you? Why? What was it? And she said two things. One, she saw the amount of diversity. And the other thing she said was when she emailed me to challenge me on something she felt was heavily on the man's side, I was like, thank you for your feedback. We don't always get this right. You know, and she just my response, which was genuine, like, you know, thanks for highlighting this. Um, that also kind of brought her in and jazz often talks about when she comes in the room, she feels like she's in the room with her people. There's diversity, there's, you know, inclusivity. And that's something that's very important to us. And if you look at the team alone, we're very diverse. ⁓ you know, and it's just something that's on the forefront and is important to us. You know, we're in the process of choosing the lifetime achievement award. And we were like, look, we cannot like, it's funny because when I interviewed Jazz as well, she's like, am I the only woman? And at the time I said yes, but actually there's two because Ricky, Ricky is a, you know, is a woman now, right?

And so by the time I said, ⁓ yeah, we're really bad. We've only got one woman in a hall of fame. ⁓ that's really bad. So this year we literally have gone out looking for a female. So I agree. There's a lot more can be done. There's a lot more should be done. And I think, you know, that there's no excuse anymore. I just don't think that's like, I don't know if there's excuse in the past, but there's definitely shouldn't be an excuse now. Period. Women have proven to be better leaders, proven to be better business leaders. They've been, it's been proven scientifically. This isn't me putting men down, right? It's true like you know that just the brain works differently women think differently they think more inclusive they think more communal they lead better because they're more aware of other people versus the hunter mentality and i think that should be encouraged that should be encouraged and should be brought more to the forefront so there we go. speaker-1: But one thing that's important to flag just for men listening, watching this as a judge, it doesn't matter to me whether you're a man, woman or I am judging on the same criteria across the board. So I just want to make that point really clear. And it's important for you as a guy not to like you should enter 100 percent. you know, so I just want to make that clear. ⁓ speaker-0: Yes, no, everyone's judged equally. And I think I said that we talked about a celebrity entering, right? Yeah. You know, everyone's judged equally, regardless of gender, race, race. It's all about your speaking and that's speaker-1: Absolutely. Exactly. It's about merit. That's what that's what it's about. ⁓ speaker-0: Brilliant. So last message as we wrap this up, any final words of wisdom to the people who are hopefully going to be applying or listening to this? What would you to say to them, Sarah? speaker-1: I would just say if you have thought about it and haven't done it, but you know that you have a great message, a great story, do enter the awards and, you know, back yourself as Elliot mentioned earlier. If you've got it in progress, get on and finish it. You literally got less than two, you know, less than was it 10 days now? Ten days today. know, between five and ten days to get this done. You don't want to have a regret, you know, get it done. And if you are going to film it at home, there's nothing wrong with that. Just make sure you give yourself the best chance. speaker-0: Love that. Thank you. Thank you so much. So everyone listening remember head to the speakerwards.com you can apply there you can also look at the resources we talked about today you can ⁓ definitely start your application everything is transparent we have what the judges are seeing you can see the exact same scorecard that they used to score you on the judges guideline the code of honors we put everything to the front we hide nothing So if you want to look and review and there's Q and A's on there, there's videos, there's how to's, there's everything on there to get you going. So get going. SpeakAwards.com 10 days to go. From the moment we recorded this, not necessarily when you're listening to this. So get in back yourself and we'll see you hopefully on the shortlist thing, which is happening on 26th of May, by the way. So see you all soon. Thanks for tuning in and we will end this here. Bye everyone. speaker-1: Bye! speaker-0: Thank you for tuning in to this week's Front Row Podcast. Remember to like, subscribe and comment it through your feedback that we grow. We hope you've taken lots of notes, benefited from the wisdom and are now going to turn everything into action. Remember to keep an eye out for our next episode of the Front Row Podcast and remember to like, subscribe and of course leave us a five star review. We look forward to connecting with you and hearing the progress of your journey in the professional speaking world. Tune in next time for the Front Row. podcast.