Be Yourself, Not Simon Sinek

Bring *Your* voice to ted

By Devin D. Marks | Published May 17, 2022

You've likely watched a LOT of TED Talks. So names Sir Ken Robinson, Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, and my “alumni” client Dr. Robert Waldinger are familiar — or will be soon.

They have tens of millions of views and each enjoy TOP 10 TALK status. Nearly every hopeful TEDster fantasizes about the same, wondering...

“How’d they do it?”

Well, know this...

And I say this, personally knowing the backstory of a number of the TED luminaries:

They are true to their own true self and own true personality.

They didn’t succeed on stage by adopting a persona.

Each brought their authentic selves to stage. And in doing so, their message radiated.

Please. Do. The. Same.

Studying Simon Sinek and bringing a version of him to stage is, well... comical.

Even cringe-worthy.

[ ] Hand mic.

[ ] Stickie flipchart.

[ ] Winsome phrasing.

[ ] Rolled up shirt sleeves.

[ ] Sharpie-drawn framework.

None of that is WHY his message radiated.

Believe me. You know that too, right?

Well, we all do, but then again, I know a popular brand guru who actually attempted just that.

Were you to dig up his TEDx Talk out of the YouTube cemetery, you would check off this list:

[ y ] Hand mic.

[ y ] Stickie flipchart.

[ y ] Winsome phrasing.

[ y ] Rolled up shirt sleeves.

[ y ] Sharpie-drawn framework.

#PainfulStuff

He had a good insight set to share. But his inauthentic delivery sapped the talk's TED Spread™ potential.

And at last count, there are 4 similar talks languishing away on YouTube’s TEDx channel.

Yes, in studying the top TEDsters, there are some best practices worth gleaning. But they’re overarching commonalities — principles — not techniques.

Garb and stage props aren't part of the mix.

In your center stage moment, you want both your message and who you are — as in how your family, friends, and coworkers know you to be — to be aligned.

Audiences can sense inauthenticity. They recoil from it.

And the video views will reflect the same.

So wear what you’re comfortable wearing. (More on that later.) Use the technologies that are most natural for you. (Yep, more on that later.)

And bring your message to stage in your style.

Let Simon be Simon.

DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and short-talk speakers — including Harvard’s Dr. Robert Waldinger for his all-time Top 10 TEDx Talk. The result: 100s of millions of views for clients. He helps niche experts, authors, and leaders spread world-changing ideas. 

You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here. His newsletters are here.

LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGE™