Get ready to unleash your presenting superpower with your unique X Factor!
When you hear the term ‘X Factor’, what comes to mind? Is it the X Factor TV show? Or maybe a super talented artist whose star quality just shines above the rest (hello, Bruno Mars!).
In this episode, you will discover that everyone – yes, that includes you – has X Factor. It doesn’t have to be big or shiny, but it has the potential to help you stand out, supercharge your presenting abilities, and leave a lasting, positive experience for your audience.
And I am thrilled to welcome Yamini Naidu back to the podcast.
Yamini is the world’s only economist turned Bollywood dancing business storyteller. She is one of only 150 Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP) in Australia – which basically means she’s one of the best!
She pioneered business storytelling in Australia and co-founded Australia’s first business storytelling company. She is rated among the top three business storytellers globally. Her clients include Google, Atlassian, Ford Motor Company, Tiffany & Co, Adidas, ANZ and Goldman Sachs. She works at board and CEO level across the world, moving leaders from spreadsheets to stories.
Yamini first joined me in Episode 165, where we explored business storytelling and why it’s so powerful.
In this episode, Yamini and I talk about the concepts in her new book, X Factor: Unleash Your Presenting Superpower.
Connect with Yamini:
- Check out her website
- Grab a copy of her book, X Factor
- Follow Yamini on Instagram
- Follow her on Linkedin
Notes from the episode on uncovering your unique X Factor:
- Your presentation should be 30% content, 30% delivery, 30% inspiration and 10% x factor
- Vinh Giang’s model
- We shouldn’t be delivering content “to” our audience. We “co create” content with the audience.
- Ask the audience “What does this mean for YOUR context?” – you customise it on the spot as you go.
- It’s respecting the audience. You need to be keen to hear their approach.
- We think X Factor is something we’re born with. X factor lives at the intersection of purpose, value, service and alignment.
- Think of X Factor like personal tagline
- X Factor starts where brand STOPS.
- Yamini shares how she brings her X Factor statement to the stage
- She teaches some of her content through Bollywood dancing
- Everything about x factor is counterintuitive – don’t think about your audience. It’s about YOU.
- Always check with the audiences if something is appropriate.
- Your X Factor is not your standard schtick. Some clients won’t want certain elements. Tailor it to them.
- Less is more – don’t do too much! Leave your audience hungry.
- X factor can replace a boring elevator pitch when introducing yourself.
- By using X Factor in your presentations, you can create the start of a journey that starts with the EXPERIENCE in the room.
- “You’re starting to really unlock your audience, you’re starting to loosen them up, open them up to a world of possibilities.”
- X Factor can become part of your identity – it influences how you show up in the world
- Your X Factor is already there. It emerges from instinct, from your gut.