Hi Reader

A few days ago, I got off a coaching call. He's the Vice President of IT Applications at a large enterprise.

Brilliant guy. The kind of leader who can walk into a room full of consultants and challenge their recommendations.

He's leading a multi-million-dollar transformation program. His job isn't as an individual contributor. His job is something much harder.

He has to become the bridge between business leaders and technology.

When third party vendor proposes a solution...the CFO depends on him to answer questions like:

"Will this really solve our problem?"

"What are the risks?"

"Is this the right investment?"

Think about that for a moment.

His expertise got him into the room. But what he says determines whether the business makes the right decision.

Then he told me something I wasn't expecting.

He said...

"In small meetings, I'm completely comfortable. But when I have to lead a workshop with fifty or sixty people. Something changes."

His thoughts start racing. "What if I get exposed? What if I fail? What if they realise I'm not as good as they think I am?"

I found that fascinating. Because this wasn't someone who lacked confidence.

His own team had won leadership competitions because of him. He could answer difficult technical questions without hesitation. He knew his subject inside out.

So why did the fear still show up?

After the call ended...I just sat there.

Because it reminded me of something that happened to me fourteen years ago.

I had just lost a key and important speech contest in Connecticut. I did everything I can. Followed all the steps and techniques in the book.

But when I did not even place in top 3, I was devastated. And what did I do?

Went clothes shopping (ok, wandering in shops) in a mall in Connecticut.

My mentor called me. His name was Jerry Ayyathurai.

I kept ranting about unfair the world is. He listened patiently for few minutes, and said something I'll never forget.

"Rama... you're not intelligible."

I remember thinking..."What does that even mean?"

I believed what most people believe. Public speaking is about confidence.

More practice. Better delivery. More experience.

But listening to Raj...Jerry's words suddenly came flooding back.

Maybe...we've been trying to solve the wrong problem.

Maybe public speaking isn't the problem at all.

Maybe confidence isn't the problem either.

Maybe there's something deeper..

Something I've been seeing for years...in my own journey. In the hundreds of responses I've received. And now...in leaders like Raj.

Tomorrow...I'll tell you what Jerry meant when he used the word "intelligible."

Because once I understood it...I couldn't look at communication the same way again.

On a side note, if you are reading this, thank you so much. I want to help you get results if you are looking for accelerated transformation. I've shot a 3 minute video for you. ​

Please watch it once and let me know if you'd be interested in this.

As always, thanks for being awesome!

Rama