What’s a “gimme” anyway? It’s that thing that makes you stand out when you’re talking about your business, whether you’re involved in one-on-one-conversation or a talk in front of a group.
In golf, a gimme is a shot you don’t have to take – it just counts automatically. In speaking, your gimme is a skill or talent you don’t have to work at. It’s something you already naturally do or have. You don’t have to cultivate it; it’s already yours.
The trick is to count your gimme – most of us overlook our natural abilities precisely because they’re so natural. So count it, value it … and make the most of it in every business presentation.
Maybe you have years of experience in your industry. You can use that vast experience to increase your credibility and authority.
Some people have a natural warmth that makes others comfortable. And when they’re at the front of the room, that warmth makes it easy for them to connect with their audience. Their listeners just seem to be automatically drawn to them.
Or maybe you’re tall. Taller people are perceived as more powerful and more intelligent, which probably explains why average salary increases with height.
Being attractive creates a similar advantage. Pretty people are seen as nicer and smarter than the rest of us; the research shows that teachers favor attractive students and employers are more positive about good-looking professionals. It’s no wonder audiences are drawn to speakers who look appealing.
If you have a killer sense of humor or a special way with words, that’s an asset that you should be taking advantage of.
Maybe you can draw – you ought to be using a white board or flip chart during presentations, or even sketching something out on a napkin during a business lunch. Your artistic ability will make your message memorable and make you stand out from your competition.
I got a glimpse of my own gimme when I was in the Hell Yeah Stars program with Larry Winget and Suzanne Evans. During our boot camp Larry commented on my voice: “You just open your mouth and people automatically pay attention to every word you say.”
Silly as it sounds, I can forget how huge that is when I’m in front of an audience; I take my voice for granted. (After all, I hear it all the time!) Larry reminded me to make the best use of that natural talent.
So my question is: are YOU making the most of your natural talents? Are you giving yourself full credit for everything you bring to a presentation or a conversation? Are you capitalizing on that special gift of yours to connect with an audience, make a strong impression, and get results?
You know I coach clients who want to speak with more power and presence to position themselves as experts and attract new clients. A big part of our work is helping them see what they already do well … then we build on that. And use it to offset whatever doesn’t work in their favor.
We can always learn something new. We can refine our language or our use of gestures or facial expression, we can start from scratch to develop skills we don’t have yet. But being comfortable and confident in front of an audience (of any size) starts with using your gimme well.
So my question is: what’s your gimme? Post a comment and let me know how you’re putting your gimme to use when you talk about your business.
