Podcast Summary: Young and Profiting (YAP) with Hala Taha – Episode E320 featuring Yasser Khan
Release Date: December 9, 2024
Introduction and Guest Background
In Episode 320 of "Young and Profiting (YAP)," host Hala Taha welcomes Yasser Khan, a distinguished public speaking coach and founder of "Speak Like a CEO." Yasser shares his transformative journey from an introverted child to a confident public speaker who now coaches top CEOs worldwide. This episode delves deep into the art of effective public speaking, tailored specifically for entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their communication skills.
Importance of Verbal Communication for Entrepreneurs [04:19]
Hala emphasizes that communication is the backbone of entrepreneurship. She asserts that whether entrepreneurs are on stage, in boardrooms, or engaging in virtual meetings, mastering verbal communication is essential for success.
Yasser echoes this sentiment, highlighting that verbal communication defines one’s brand:
“When you open your mouth, that is your brand. And you'll be shocked, Hala. In fact, you probably won't be shocked with the amount of people you talk to.” [04:19]
Yasser Khan's Personal Journey into Public Speaking [05:36]
Yasser recounts his early struggles with public speaking during childhood. An introverted individual who often avoided presenting, Yasser's transformation began when his parents sent him to Canada in hopes of alleviating his shyness. Loneliness and desperation led him to join a Toastmasters Club, where his initial attempts were fraught with anxiety. However, encouragement from the club’s host, Karen Knight, motivated him to persist. Over time, Yasser honed his skills, eventually winning a public speaking contest and evolving into a TEDx speaker and coach for high-profile CEOs.
The Role of Voice and Tone in Communication [10:01]
Yasser discusses the critical role of voice and tone in communication, using personal anecdotes to illustrate his points. He explains how over-eagerness can negatively impact perception:
“When you're trying to impress that you talk a lot. And when you talk a lot, you talk fast, you mumble, you go high pitch, and you're trying to get your approval.” [10:21]
Yasser advises speakers to modulate their pace and volume to project confidence and maintain listener interest.
Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety [12:45]
Yasser identifies that much of public speaking anxiety stems from self-esteem issues rather than the act of speaking itself. Building self-confidence is paramount to overcoming such fears. He shares:
“If you constantly need to practice your public speaking just to feel good about yourself, that's not a public speaking issue. That's a self-esteem issue.” [14:08]
This realization helped Yasser shift his focus from merely improving speaking techniques to enhancing his overall self-confidence.
Techniques for Effective Public Speaking
Volume and Pace [22:02]
Yasser emphasizes the importance of varying volume and pace to capture and maintain audience attention. He demonstrates this with an exercise, transforming the mundane topic of "washing dishes" into an engaging narrative by modulating his voice:
“Washing dishes is one of the most exciting things you can do because every single day when I make dinner, it makes me feel present in the moment...” [22:55]
Body Language and Hand Gestures [33:03]
Effective body language should complement the story being told. Yasser warns against excessive movements that can distract the audience. Controlled gestures convey confidence and stability:
“If you ask me a question...what you should do is vary your pace a little bit as well when I talk.” [34:12]
He also highlights the psychological impact of open palm gestures, which signal transparency and friendliness:
“When you reveal your palms, it shows that you're friendly, it shows that there's a lack of I'm not hiding anything.” [35:21]
Authenticity vs. Memorization [27:29]
Yasser advises against memorizing speeches word-for-word, as it can make the delivery sound rehearsed and inauthentic. Instead, internalizing key points allows speakers to remain present and responsive to the audience:
“Memorizing is you putting on a performance on stage... you have to be able to be in the moment with the audience.” [27:40]
Storytelling Techniques (PAM) [42:13]
Introducing the PAM technique—Phrases, Analogies, Metaphors—Yasser explains how simplifying complex ideas through familiar comparisons can enhance understanding and retention:
“Phrases would be your one-liner... use analogies and metaphors to help others understand concepts.” [42:13]
Engagement Strategies [31:26]
To maintain audience engagement, Yasser suggests regular check-ins such as quick questions or addressing individuals by name. This approach ensures the audience remains attentive and feels personally acknowledged:
“Raise your hand if I'm on the right track, or nod your head if you've seen this before.” [33:03]
Storytelling and Its Impact [47:56]
Yasser emphasizes the power of storytelling in making communication memorable and emotionally resonant. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how stories can leave lasting impressions:
“People just remember for much longer... if they don't feel anything, they will not remember it.” [47:56]
Building a Personal Brand Through Storytelling [52:08]
While initially focusing on tips and tricks, Yasser learned the importance of incorporating personal stories, especially those highlighting past struggles. Sharing authentic experiences fosters relatability and strengthens personal branding:
“Emotion creates devotion... people relate to your mess-ups and your journey.” [52:44]
Final Advice and Key Takeaways [60:01]
Yasser advises entrepreneurs to integrate storytelling into their communication to make it impactful and memorable. He encourages preparing story journals to recount significant life milestones and using impactful narratives to engage audiences.
He shares a powerful story about Mary, a midwife, to illustrate the importance of responsibility in communication:
“It's not your job to rehearse. But if what you're talking about is important, it is your responsibility to prepare and rehearse for every single time you open your mouth.” [63:49]
Conclusion
Hala and Yasser conclude with actionable advice, highlighting the significance of storytelling and authentic communication in building a profitable personal brand. Yasser leaves listeners with a profound mantra derived from his coaching experience:
“Be better at being different.” [65:00]
This episode provides entrepreneurs with invaluable strategies to enhance their public speaking and communication skills, emphasizing authenticity, emotional engagement, and effective storytelling to build and sustain a profitable brand.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Brand Representation:
“When you open your mouth, that is your brand.” [04:19] -
Self-Esteem and Public Speaking:
“If you constantly need to practice your public speaking just to feel good about yourself, that's not a public speaking issue. That's a self-esteem issue.” [14:08] -
Volume Variation:
“It's the up and down and up and down. That's what makes it interesting.” [23:31] -
Authenticity Over Memorization:
“Memorizing is you putting on a performance on stage.” [27:40] -
Power of Storytelling:
“People just remember for much longer... if they don't feel anything, they will not remember it.” [47:56] -
Final Mantra:
“Be better at being different.” [65:00]
Actionable Insights for Entrepreneurs
- Vary Volume and Pace: Use fluctuations in your speech to emphasize key points and maintain interest.
- Control Body Language: Use hand gestures that complement your message without distracting the audience.
- Be Authentic: Focus on conveying your message naturally rather than memorizing every word.
- Utilize Storytelling: Incorporate repeatable, emotional, and belief-reframing stories to make your communication memorable.
- Engage Your Audience: Conduct regular check-ins and personalize interactions to keep your audience attentive.
- Prepare Story Journals: Document significant life events and milestones to draw upon for impactful storytelling.
By implementing these strategies, entrepreneurs can significantly enhance their public speaking abilities, thereby strengthening their personal and professional brands.
Learn More:
Visit Yasser Khan's website at speaklikeaceo.com and follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @speakingwithyasa for more insights on effective communication and public speaking.