I got to meet Rick Bayless a few weeks back during a gathering I attended in Chicago, Illinois, with a group I belong to called Epic F.I.T. The acclaimed chef, known for his expertise in traditional Mexican cuisine, led a session where he taught us how to make guacamole. 🥑
At first, I was slightly disappointed because I love cooking, especially Mexican food, and I fancied myself a pretty good guacamole maker. Not to mention, I lived in Mexico for six months and visit often, so I must know everything there is to know about guac, right? I mean, how hard could it be?
But I chose to walk my own talk and listen with a beginner’s mind.
Here’s what I discovered: where I was making it my way, I was actually overcomplicating it, adding seasonings and ingredients that weren’t necessary. It’s not that experimenting is wrong, but it’s always good to know the basics first. 😊
For instance, I learned that white onions are used if you want to make a more traditional Mexican guacamole. I didn’t know you should rinse them after chopping to mellow their flavor.
I also learned how to cut cilantro properly by folding it over and finely chopping the leaves and stems together. Before, I treated it like parsley and plucked the leaves from the stems, missing out on extra flavor.
And did you know the best way to check if an avocado is ripe is to press slightly on the top, not squeeze the sides? They also keep best at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and only start to ripen after being picked from the tree, unlike fruits that ripen on the vine.
This got me thinking about you as a speaker. I imagine you feel like you're already a pretty good speaker because everyone tells you how great you did after your talks, or maybe you speak frequently and, because no one has corrected you, you assume you must be doing just fine.
Well, here’s me pushing back a little—with love...
You’re probably not as good as you think you are, and you could benefit from going back to the basics, just like I did with guacamole. If your goal is to leave a bigger impact or truly educate your audience, it’s important to keep finding new ways to do that—one of which is getting feedback and refining your approach.
If you are ready to elevate your speaking skills and captivate your audience more effectively, whether it’s learning to simplify complex ideas, connect emotionally with your listeners, or refine the art of storytelling, there’s always an opportunity to make your message resonate more deeply. Let’s work together to fine-tune your delivery, sharpen your content, and ensure your presentations not only leave a stronger impact but also help you attract more customers.
If this sounds good to you, then click here to book your complimentary consultation!
You know what they say, right? If life gives you an avocado, make guacamole… and throw a party! ✨
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