Update: Do you have a favorite author, talk show host or celebrity chef you'd love to know better? Is there something about her that sets her apart? Does she make you feel good when she's engaging you?

Pastor Harry Kuehl is one of the finest communicators I've ever met. His style, delivery and message leave me having multiple WOW moments. And best of all, I get to see him every weekend. But not only that—I can grab a bite with him almost anytime.

If you are moved or inspired by a certain speaker, coach or leader—are you seeing them as often as possible? Have you studied their resources? Have you performed a Youtube search (if available)? You may be in for multiple WOW moments.

Feature Article: Being True to Yourself

Resource: How to Get Back to Basics of Powerful Self-Presentation

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To Pause or Not to Pause...

Carol Cretella, a yoga instructor, stated, "I like how you use your pauses."

I responded, "Thanks Carol, after each presentation people have mentioned that same thing to me. I did a critical self-analysis and I don't think it's the pauses that are so poignant. It's the powerful thought and the delivery that make the pause necessary."

Now some of you might disagree. I'm okay with that. I think what we can agree on is to make your speech into the most powerful, engaging and stimulating talk you've ever given.

Yet people continue to ask about a technique I follow regarding the pause. Truth is I don't have any.

I don't consciously try to add pauses into a speech. What I do is listen to, and with the audience. If it feels like more time is needed to absorb the last thought, I pause. This will make you appear rather spontaneous and less scripted.

Being True to Yourself

Dear Associate,

At a recent speaker's engagement celebrating the brand new year, each member was required to give a toast honoring someone, something or somewhere that benefited each of us. We were given a few days notice, which gave me a chance to reflect and prepare instead of creating off-the-cuff.

I honored one of my mentors. A super successful entrepreneur who speaks on prosperity consciousness and mind expansion. The gist of it went like this:

"He has shown me the value of knowing myself, embracing that individual, and then projecting that person onto the world arena. In short—being true to yourself. Thank you Mr. Mentor for giving all of you, so I can become all of me."

It was short and sweet. And to the point. It cradled a lot of meaning for me. And I'm sure this toast's three-step formula can become meaningful for you.

Because if people know you're a speaker, a celebrity or some pop culture icon and they've asked you to speak without any notice, this formula can save you.

If you can: Imagine this was your final speech.

What would you give your audience that would impact them so much they would never forget you? What life lessons (the good and bad) would you hope they'd take with them? What gift would you leave them that would help them stay on the straight and narrow?

You can wrap these together into your life story. A story that centers on you. A plot that opens, thickens and closes around you. So let's begin...

1) Who are you?

If you're giving a talk, probably the most important factor your audience craves and silently demands is to know you. The person behind the stories. Your beliefs, desires, values, experiences, hopes and dreams. That's a lot easier if you know yourself first.

Are you living the life you were meant to live? Are you truly happy? What do others say and think about you? Is your life perfect? How do you define success?

The majority of people will paint a self-portrait of what they want you to see. And that's due to watching everyone else doing the same thing. But today's audiences want to put their arms around the original and authentic you. (Warts and all.)

If you think that was easy, ponder this thought...

2) Do you love yourself?

After discovering who you really are, can you still love yourself? Maybe you wish you could have behaved or done some things differently. Perhaps you thought you took the wrong path. Maybe you've never told that special someone you love them. Perhaps it's time to forgive yourself.

This is where the self-denial stops and the healing begins. It's really hard to push forward in life if you're subconsciously holding yourself back with your past. If there are any circumstances you want to address but haven't, it's best to confront them before moving forward.

You know you've come to terms with yourself when you can...

3) Share your message.

You've probably heard you have one book inside of you. Probably more. You have an abundance of experiences that could fill a library. Or in today's hi-tech world—a computer chip smaller than the tip of a needle.

You can share your experiences in books, on radio, via satellite, in cyberspace, or on the platform. Even if you're not a speaker, you can start your own blog and tell the world what you're thinking. (With regard to others of course.)

But don't forget this one crowd-engaging factor...

Be real and authentic with your audience. Don't hold back from being your true self. Don't allow professional etiquette to rob your audience of knowing and loving the real you. Audiences are starving for more genuineness from the platform.

If you apply this three-step formula, you'll probably give the most meaningful, compelling and inspiring talk of your life. Congratulations.

Warm regards,

Let's say you're ready to give your final speech. Let's review some of the ways you can make it as powerful as you can. Speaker/storyteller Chris King gets back to presentation basics with: How to Get Back to Basics of Powerful Self-Presentation