Podcast Summary: Help Wanted – "How to Speak Confidently With Anyone"

Episode Release Date: February 27, 2025
Host: Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur
Co-Host: Nicole Lapin, Money Expert

Introduction

In the February 27, 2025 episode of Help Wanted, hosted by Jason Feifer alongside co-host Nicole Lapin, the duo delves into a common workplace challenge: overcoming nervousness when engaging in conversations with important individuals. Aimed at professionals seeking to enhance their communication skills, this episode provides actionable strategies to build confidence and foster meaningful dialogues in various professional settings.

Listener's Query

The episode kicks off with a listener named Meg reaching out with a pertinent question:

"I'd love to know how you overcome any nervousness or fear when talking to powerful people. Are there any rules or guidelines you follow when prepping for these conversations?"
— Meg [03:04]

Jason Feifer responds by introducing a singular yet powerful rule to mitigate anxiety in important conversations.

Understanding the Root of Nervousness

Feifer explores the underlying reasons why individuals feel nervous when interacting with others, especially those perceived as powerful. He challenges the conventional belief that power differentials are the sole cause of intimidation:

"I’m actually not sure that power differentials fully explain it because, like, power isn’t always intimidating."
— Jason Feifer [04:10]

Instead, he proposes a more nuanced perspective:

"Sometimes we believe that we need a conversation more than they do. If a conversation feels more valuable to you than whoever it is that you're talking to, then you will be self-conscious about every minute of that conversation."
— Jason Feifer [05:00]

Feifer identifies this perceived imbalance of need as a significant factor contributing to nervousness, applicable not only to high-stakes meetings but also to everyday interactions like sales calls or meeting new people.

The Core Solution: Treat Conversations as Joint Projects

Feifer introduces his primary strategy for overcoming conversational anxiety:

"Treat the conversation like a joint project. This lowers your stress and increases your focus, allowing you to have more meaningful conversations with anyone."
— Jason Feifer [06:15]

By redefining the interaction as a collaborative effort rather than a one-sided exchange, individuals can shift their mindset from feeling vulnerable to acting as partners working towards a common goal.

Implementing the Joint Project Approach

Feifer provides practical examples to illustrate how to apply this strategy across different scenarios:

1. Interviews with High-Profile Individuals:

   Reflecting on his experience interviewing celebrities and CEOs, Feifer shares his approach:

   "I said, 'Entrepreneurs want to learn from you. They want to know what you have figured out so that it can help them in their own business. Today, through this conversation, we are going to teach them some of the things that drove your success.'"
   — Jason Feifer [07:30]

   This preamble establishes a shared purpose, making the conversation collaborative and goal-oriented, which in turn relaxes both parties and fosters a productive dialogue.

2. Sales Calls:

   When conducting sales calls, Feifer frames the interaction around mutual success:

   "I begin by asking them about their event and how we might make it successful together. I always use phrases like 'if we work together.'"
   — Jason Feifer [09:00]

3. Networking at Events:

   In social settings like conferences or parties, Feifer suggests initiating conversations with a shared objective:

   "If I'm alone at a conference or a party, I generally look for people who seem unoccupied. And then I walk over and I might say, 'Hey, don't know anyone here either,' or 'Hey, I will be the awkward guy starting conversation at this party.' Either way, our shared goal is to escape isolation."
   — Jason Feifer [10:15]

4. Providing Feedback:

   When offering feedback to colleagues, reframing it as a collaborative effort can mitigate defensiveness:

   "I might say, 'Okay, we both want this project to work, so let's look at ways to refine it together.'"
   — Jason Feifer [10:45]

Addressing Situations with No Apparent Shared Project

Feifer acknowledges scenarios where one party might not have an obvious contribution, such as Meg's impending conversation with a billionaire advisor. He advises setting a clear, purposeful goal to ensure the interaction remains valuable:

"She should say, 'I know that you've been successful in [specific area], and that's important for me to understand because [specific reason]. So I'd love to ask you some specific questions about how you've done that, which will help me achieve [specific outcome].'"
— Jason Feifer [11:20]

This approach demonstrates preparation and respect for the other person's time, transforming the interaction into a mutually beneficial exchange despite the apparent imbalance.

Key Takeaways

1. Redefine the Interaction: Viewing conversations as collaborative projects shifts the dynamic from anxiety-inducing to goal-oriented, fostering confidence and meaningful engagement.

2. Establish Shared Goals: Clearly defining what both parties aim to achieve in the conversation creates a framework for cooperation and reduces self-consciousness.

3. Preparation is Crucial: Understanding and articulating the purpose of the interaction ensures that it remains focused and productive, even when there's no obvious mutual benefit.

4. Universality of the Approach: Whether dealing with high-profile individuals, conducting sales calls, networking, or providing feedback, the joint project mindset is versatile and effective across diverse scenarios.

5. Humanizing Powerful Individuals: Recognizing that powerful people are also humans with their own goals and desires fosters a more relatable and less intimidating interaction.

Conclusion

In this enlightening episode of Help Wanted, Jason Feifer provides listeners with a transformative approach to overcoming conversational anxiety. By treating every important conversation as a joint project with a shared purpose, individuals can navigate interactions with confidence and achieve more meaningful and productive outcomes. Whether you're preparing to meet a potential investor, engage with a colleague, or network at an event, these strategies offer a reliable framework to enhance your communication skills and professional relationships.

For further assistance or to have your work-related questions addressed on the show, listeners are encouraged to email helpwanted@moneynewsnetwork.com.

Production Credits:
Help Wanted is a production of Money News Network. Hosted by Jason Feifer and Nicole Lapin. Executive Producer: Morgan Lavoy.