May 8, 2019
Kymberlee Weil, Strategic Samurai, and Mark Sylvester join the
show to discuss the world of High-Stakes, Short-Form talks. They
discuss what really makes an idea worth spreading, the power of a
story, and what they have learned running High-Stakes, Short-Form
speaking events in Santa Barbara. They give advice to people who
may want to give a High-Stakes, Short-Form talk, share the
qualities of the best speakers, and explain the importance of a
unique perspective.
Key Takeaways
[4:55] Mark and Kymberlee met while creating a software
application for speakers and attendees to use. That turned into a
business, which then turned into a partnership in all forms.
[5:03] “High stakes and short form talk” might be a metaphor for
tackling a challenge worth diving into headfirst .
[6:37] Although Mark has produced many high stakes and short
form talks, he was blown away by the amount of work it really takes
to put one together. For his own talk it took: 19 drafts, 3 drafts,
and 2 consultants. Even knowing the innerworkings, there was so
much prep.
[7:50] Mark and Kymberlee tell the guests on his show to talk in
tweets.
[11:57] Great leaders know they can always improve, and they are
never done learning. The people that choose to find the time are
the ones we never forget.
[14:11] Idea first. People second is one of the main mantras
when they are putting together new material. Be sure you have a
unique angle and perspective. You must be willing to fight for your
idea no matter what.
[19:04] High stakes and short form talks talks are less about a
one-way sharing, and more about connecting with the audience to
show authenticity and vulnerability.
[25:33] Facts and figures light up two regions of your brain,
while storytelling lights up seven! This even goes back to the
caveman days when we had to be both storytellers and story
observers.
[29:02] Tips for making a high stakes and short form talk and to
be a great storyteller:
- Open with story, land the core idea, show why it’s important,
and justify why it matters now.
- Make it topical and timely.
- There are usually three lessons within a talk.
- Give a call to action such as a challenge or invitation.
[42:40] The original high stakes and short form talk
commandments
1. Be sure it’s a story you
have never told before.
2. Be vulnerable.
3. Don’t try to sell us
anything.
[51:50] Mark and Kymberlee challenge: don’t wait to tell your
story, and everyone has a story inside of them that they need to
honor.
How to Contact Mark & Kymberlee
Quotes
“As a leader, we are always doing high stakes
communication.”
“Leaders need to have an arsenal of stories.”
“Start with one story and develop it.”
“If you don’t have a conflict or struggle, you don’t have a
story.”
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