If Richard Can, You Can
By Carol Schadelbauer, May 29, 2013
TED Conference via Flickr
If a 12-year-old Masai boy from Kenya can do it, you can too. Chris Anderson, the curator of TED, a nonprofit devoted to big ideas that are presented beautifully and clearly by the idea-owners, writes in the June, 2013 issue of the Harvard Business Review about Richard from Kenya. Richard’s story was discovered randomly by Chris on a trip to Nairobi, and he knew that it was perfect for a TED talk. But, Chris says, “He (Richard) was painfully shy. His English was halting. When he tried to describe his invention, the sentences tumbled out incoherently.”
Chris knew it would be really tough for a pre-teen to stand in front of nearly 1500 people, speak in English and speak clearly. They worked with Richard on his presentation skills and with practice, in the end, he received a standing ovation. Richard’s story of the invention that saves his father’s cattle, and the wild lions roaming near their farm too, is truly mesmerizing. Richard is nervous, but Chris says nerves don’t matter. He offers tips on what it takes to deliver a “killer presentation” and ten tips for how to ruin a presentation…all terrific advice.
Chris writes, “On the basis of this experience, I’m convinced that giving a good talk is highly coachable.” Anyone can be transformed from “muddled to mesmerizing.”
