TLP373: Unlocking Hidden Talents with Mohammed Qahtani

Mohammed Qahtani, a five-time TEDx speaker, co-founder of the Saudi Stuttering Association, and winner of the 2015 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. Mohammed shares his journey of overcoming severe stuttering to become a dynamic motivational speaker. He emphasizes the impact of words and the importance of humor in public speaking, encouraging tailored approaches for effective workplace communication. Mohammed's insights into high-performance leadership involve unlocking hidden talents in team members, fostering a positive work environment, and adapting to evolving work trends, including a balance between office and remote work. In negotiation and cross-cultural leadership, Mohammed advises against rigid goals, highlights the significance of understanding context, and recommends using local phrases to connect with diverse audiences. He also champions perseverance and learning from mistakes to achieve seemingly impossible goals.     Key Takeaways [01:22] Mohammed Qahtani – a five-time TEDx speaker, co-founder of the Saudi Stuttering Association, and a dynamic motivational speaker who has left his mark in over 40 countries with more than 1000 inspiring events. Despite childhood struggles with severe stuttering, Mohammed's journey led him to embrace the power of public speaking. Through resilience and determination, he not only conquered his speech impediment but also discovered the transformative impact of words. Mohammed's story serves as a reminder that every word we choose holds the potential to shape lives and leave lasting impressions. [06:08] Mohammed shares insights on infusing humor into talks, emphasizing the audience's love for stories and laughter. Shifting to workplace communication, he advises tailoring your approach using the "DISC" personality test, adapting to different personalities for effective conversations. He also provides tips on balancing participation in meetings, recognizing cues, and encouraging quieter voices to contribute meaningfully.  [13:21] Mohammed also talks about high-performance leadership. He uses the analogy of squeezing an orange to unlock hidden talents in team members, emphasizing personalized roles, skill development, and fostering a friendly work environment. As for remote work trends in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed notes a mix of office and remote work, with an emphasis on work-home separation. [20:06] Mohammed offers insights on effective negotiation and cross-cultural leadership. He highlights avoiding rigid goals, understanding context, and not showing weakness while negotiating. Mohammed recommends using local phrases to show respect and tailoring communication to audience concerns. Mohammed also encourages listeners to overcome self-doubt and challenges, emphasizing that achieving "impossible" goals is attainable through perseverance and learning from mistakes. [27:51] Closing quote: We don't always have an accurate view of our own potential. I think most people who are frightened of public speaking and can't imagine they might feel different as a result of training, don't assume you know how much potential you have. Sometimes the only way to know what you can do is to test yourself. — Scott Adams   Quotable Quotes "Impossible does not exist."   “The only way to overcome any kind of fear is to face the ultimate.”   "You might be having a bad day and say something you didn't really mean, but it leaves a scar in people's hearts."   "The audience will always love two things: stories and laughter."   "The most important thing is understanding the person that you're talking to."   "If you start speaking in front of people, you will overcome the fear and the stuttering will go away."   "Injecting humor gets people on your side."   "There will be moments when you cry in the shower wondering why I didn't get to where I want to go. But when you pick yourself up and try again, every time you try again, you're learning a mistake that you're not going to repeat again."   "Your first obstacle is yourself."   "Always put your audience first and then you as a speaker come second."   "Sometimes the only way to know what you can do is to test yourself." Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Mohammed Qahtani Website | Mohammed Qahtani Facebook | Mohammed Qahtani Twitter | Mohammed Qahtani Instagram |