How do you become a sought-after public speaker when you never planned on becoming one? That’s a question Jenni Catron, who’s now a full time consultant and public speaker, had to figure out. She started at age 20 at a record label and soon discovered pitching to people much older than her was part of her job. Promoted quickly, Jenni eventually went on to become the Executive Pastor of two well known mega-churches where, again, she discovered that communicating well was a key to success.
In her latest incarnation, Jenni has become a full time consultant, writer and public speaker. Carey and Jenni share pro tips about what makes for a great talk and introduce something brand new: the Nieuwhof Speaking Team, a curated group of leadership experts and fresh voices that will help you make your next event a success.
Welcome to Episode 270 of the podcast. Listen and access the show notes below or search for the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and listen for free.
Guest Links
Jenni Catron | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | The 4Sight Group
The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership
Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence
Three Keys for Developing a Thriving Team – Free workbook
CNLP 025: The Changes You Need to Make as Your Church Grows – an Interview with Jenni Catron
CNLP 071: Jenni Catron on Becoming an Extraordinary Leader
Episode Links
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3 Insights from Jenni
1. Leaders have the opportunity to offer the gift of belief
Leaders notice the talents that are hiding in the people around them and that insight, that belief, offers quite a gift. The gift of belief sees the potential in others and calls them out by finding opportunities for those people to grow (sometimes even before they’ve even been able to prove themselves worthy of the task). And the best part? The gift of belief can light a fire inside someone and completely change the trajectory of a career.
2. People don’t hear your bullet points until they connect with you
Connecting to an audience, large or small, is crucial to getting a message to stick, but often speakers focus more on content over connection when preparing a talk.
Don’t be so concerned about getting all the bullet points checked off your list. Instead, move that energy toward figuring out how you can connect with the people in the room, because that is what opens up the door to sharing your content and being heard.
3. Create a dwelling space in your talks
Great communicators never seem like they’re in a hurry. They posses a sense of pacing that seems to work effortlessly. But for most speakers, even the naturally gifted speakers, that approach is usually intentional, planned and practiced routinely.
As you’re preparing and writing out your talks, leave time for that space. Offering time for listeners to dwell or linger on the story or the concept you have to tell opens up a place for them to make a better connection with what you have to say.
Quotes from Episode 270
Read or Download the Transcript for Episode 270
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Next Episode: Ken Coleman
Ken Coleman has interviewed world-class leaders in politics, sports, business and leadership for years. He deconstructs his approach and shares how to get the very best out of people, how to get people to share at a deep level and how to network and build your career without becoming a social climber.
Subscribe for free now and you won’t miss Episode 271.
