How to Prep for a Speech & Other Q&A
Our new episode of the Super U Podcast is live! The Super U Podcast delivers curated tips to help you unlock and unleash your superpower on the world. On this week’s podcast, bestselling author and international keynote speaker Erik Qualman answers his fan’s burning questions.
Click here to subscribe to the Super U Podcast. Need a sneak peek? Below are the main takeaways from How to Prep for a Speech & Other Q & A:
[1:12] If You Were to Win a Billion Dollars, What Would You Do?
Erik: I use the phrase ‘memento mori,’ meaning remember that you will die. Embrace this phrase and use the opportunity to pursue something that makes you absolutely happy. What brings you and others joy? Understand that money and success doesn’t lead to a fulfilled life. After you answer the above question … the next question should be, forget the billion dollars, why aren’t you doing it now?
[2:29] How Do We Achieve Ultimate Happiness?
Erik: Steve Jobs said it best—“If you start to consistently not enjoy what you are doing, you have to ask yourself: Should I be doing this?” There is importance in analyzing where you are and how happy you are in your life right now. Consider thinking about how you can make a change and achieve a higher level of happiness.
[2:52] If You Were to Tell Your 20-Year-Old Self Something, What Would it Be?
Erik: My father gave me a memorable piece of advice. He said, “You’re not going to remember, ‘man, I wish I went to that party’, but you will remember, “I wish I hadn’t quit the basketball team in college.” This might be a hard pill to swallow, but believe it or not, we are in control of our lives and decisions. We are blessed to be in a country that grants us opportunities to try everything. Do as many things as possible, find what you love, and go all in.
[4:00] How Do You Warm Up Before Going on Stage?
Erik: You have to always go back to the basics. Whether it is for a big meeting, job interview, or performing on stage, always remember who your audience is and what is on their mind. It’s not about you, it’s about them. And, remember that not everyone will agree with you. Remind yourself that they will have some cynicism and remember to face that head-on. Your audience is trying to figure out why they should believe you. Show them that you understand their opportunities and challenges and then enjoy the ride together. Right before I go onstage, I remind myself who is in the audience. It’s more important to know the audience than to know your material.
[5:39] How Do You Keep Yourself Grounded?
Erik: Everyone is different in this regard. For me, it’s my family and faith. We have a 52-night rule—we as a team make a point for me not be away from my children for more than 52 nights. For others, it could be exercise, meditation, or even working. We have a gravitational pull toward all the shiny objects and all the things we want to do but it’s really all about getting back to that baseline and being grounded. Also, understand it’s a constant work in progress.
[7:29] What Is Your Management Style at Work?
Erik: Always think about how to align your team with everyone’s different strengths. For example, my team talks about rowing—everyone’s in the boat, we’re trying to get to certain islands, and everyone has a specific job to do. It’s making sure that you nail your job because everyone is dependent on you doing your job, and occasionally you may have to pick up someone else’s slack. In the end, it’s really about getting diverse talent and making sure you are surrounding yourself with positive people.
It’s all about giving as much ownership to the individual; giving them as much help to get where they need to go and understanding what they need to derive joy from their work. No one is going to win if a certain team member is not in the best position for them to succeed and be happy. In my experience with outside organizations, when I see an organization flourishing, not only do they have the right people in their boat, but they also have each person in the right position within that boat that they are collectively rowing together.
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The Super U podcast is hosted by #1 bestselling author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman.
