I have been looking forward to this conversation for a while, and it did not disappoint.

Michael Roderick is a return guest, who was on the show back in 2021 (episode 118), in my very first year. We lost touch for a while, and then something funny happened. His name kept coming up in rooms he was not in. A guest from New York turned out to be a friend of his. That friend introduced me to two people right here in Vancouver, and both of them knew Michael too. Before long, I had no choice but to reach out. Which, as Michael himself would say, is exactly how referability is supposed to work.

Michael went from high school English teacher to Broadway producer in under two years, not because he had the right connections, but because he understood something most people miss. It is not about access. It is about interest. Today he runs Small Pond Enterprises, helping coaches, consultants, and subject matter experts build brands that are referable, messaging that is memorable, and ideas that are unforgettable.

In this episode, we get into two things that I think are going to stay with you. The first is his AIM framework for referability, three principles that determine whether people talk about you when you are not in the room. The second is his brand-new Triple Threat framework, borrowed straight from the theater world, which helps experts understand how their natural thinking talents should shape the way they market themselves, build relationships, and get paid for their brains.

And we close with something that felt timely and true, why this moment, with all its noise and uncertainty and AI overload, is actually the greatest opportunity for people who know how to have a real conversation.

Key Takeaways

Referability comes down to three things: AIM. Accessibility, Influence, and Memory. If people cannot easily understand what you do, feel motivated to share it, and remember it well enough to talk about it later, you will stay invisible no matter how good you are.

Stop leading with your solution. Most experts spend all their time talking about what they have solved. Michael makes the case that the real work is in articulating the problem so clearly that the person across the table says, that is exactly what I am going through. Trust follows from there.
Know your thinking talent order. Whether you are a Scientist, Celebrity, or Magician, the order matters as much as the talent itself. Leaning into the wrong talent, because someone told you that is what marketing requires, is one of the most common reasons experts stay stuck.

Magicians show, they do not tell. If innovation is your top talent, the best thing you can do is demonstrate your thinking in real time. Michael did exactly that in this conversation, breaking down my own triple threat live on air. That is the magic trick.

Human connection has never been more valuable. In a world where people are spending more and more time talking to AI, a real conversation with a real person feels different. The connectors who lean into that right now are the ones who will stand out.

I recommend you check out Michael and his work at: smallpondenterprises.com

and if you are interested, sign up for his Daily email musings … you won’t be disappointed.

Or you can reach him directly at: michael@smallpondenterprises.com

In appreciation for being here, I have some gifts for you:

A LinkedIn Checklist for setting up your fully optimized Profile:

An opportunity to test drive the Follow Up system I recommend by checking this presentation page - you won’t regret it.

AND … Don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and be eligible for my complimentary LinkedIn profile audit – I do one each month for a lucky listener!

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