Jan 22, 2021
Using Your Speaking To Influence
James Taylor interviewed Karen Leong and they talked about Using Your Speaking To Influence
In today's episode Karen Leong talk about Using Your Speaking To Influence.
Karen Leong is a sought-after keynote speaker and Influence thought leader. A TEDx speaker, and the author of the book ‘Win People Over – 75 Simple and Powerful Ways to Influence Anyone’, she was featured as one of the ten influential professional speakers in Singapore by the Singapore Business Review. A regular guest contributor on television, radio and print, Karen was on Channel News Asia’s panel as an Influence and Body Language expert, where she analysed the last US Presidential Debates “live” in the studio. Karen is the co-founder of Influence Solutions, a leading learning and development organization, headquartered in Singapore with offices in USA, India and Sweden. She has been profiled on Channel U’s CEO series and in the media as one of the “10 Fearless Singaporean entrepreneurs who made it happen”. In leading organizational development projects, Karen builds upon her decade-long corporate career specializing in audit, consulting and IPO projects with KPMG in Singapore, Hong Kong and China.
What we cover:
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Productivity, Performance and Profit
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Using Your Speaking To Influence
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Words, Voice and Visuals
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The 2 Pillars of Influence
Resources:
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Read full transcript at https://speakersu.com/using-your-speaking-to-influence-sl093/
James Taylor
Hi, it's James Taylor, founder of SpeakersU. Today's episode was first
aired as part of International Speakers Summit the world's largest
online event for professional speakers. And if you'd like to access
the full video version, as well as in depth sessions with over 150
top speakers, then I've got a very special offer for you. Just go
to InternationalSpeakersSummit.com,
where you'll be able to register for a free pass for the summit.
Yep, that's right 150 of the world's top speakers sharing their
insights, strategies and tactics on how to launch grow and build a
successful speaking business. So just go to InternationalSpeakersSummit.com
but not before you listen to today's episode.
Hey, there is James Taylor and I'm delighted today to welcome Karen Leong. Karen is a sought after keynote speaker and influence thought leader, a TEDx speaker and the author of the book win people over 75 simple and powerful ways to influence anyone. She was featured as one of the 10 influential professional speakers in Singapore by the Singapore business review. A regular guest contributor on television, radio and print. Karen was on Channel News Asia's panel as an influence and body language expert where she analyzed the last US presidential debates live in the studio. Karen is the co founder of influence solutions, a leading Learning and Development Organization headquartered in Singapore with offices in the USA, India and Sweden. She has been profiled on Channel us CEO series and in the media as one of the 10 feelers, Singaporean entrepreneurs who made it happen. In leading organizational development projects, Karen builds upon her decade long corporate career, specializing in audit consulting and IPO projects, with KPMG in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. It's my great pleasure to have Karen join us today. So welcome, Karen.
Karen Leong
Thank you, James. And it's such a pleasure to be speaking with you
and, and really adding value to your amazing platform.
James Taylor
So share with everyone that's watching right now, what's happening
in your world just now know, lots,
Karen Leong
lots of things are happening. In fact, you know, a lot of companies
are seeking to help their people to be more influential. And one of
the two most important things that are happening, there's a lot
happening in the leadership space, and now especially in change,
helping companies to deal with disruption. So life is very
exciting. We live in very interesting time.
James Taylor
Absolutely. And that was a Chinese thing he was he said he was it
beware of living in interesting times, because it's a bit of a
double edged sword is it has opportunities and threats, as
well.
Karen Leong
No, no, absolutely. And this is also one thing that we always focus
on, you know, in every situation, there is a problem, and there is
an opportunity. So whichever every, you know, whichever point that
you focus on becomes your reality. So the good thing is, you know,
again, the more we start to see these interesting times as great
opportunities, we are going to be finding them
James Taylor
tell everyone, how did you get started into this world of speaking?
I mean, I mentioned before you work with KPMG, big consulting type
projects as well. But when did the person we know us today that can
speak at a keynote speaker? When did that part begin?
Karen Leong
You know, you know, that's, that's a really interesting question,
James. And a lot of people always ask, how do you get started in
the speaking business? How do you become an entrepreneur because I
speak a lot on entrepreneurship as well. So one of the turning
points came when I decided that, you know, I had a burnt out when I
was working too hard in audit, and consulting. And I decided to
take a break. So I took a year long sabbatical in Amsterdam,
helping women who are trafficked in the sex industry, and just take
stepping out, changing my perspective, really helped me to discover
that it's not just success, I'm gunning for but significance. So
that's when I started my first business and fashion, and helping
people look good. And then I realized that, hey, what I really want
is not only to help people to look good, but to feel good, and be
at their best. And this is now my second business influence
solutions. I co founded it. We've been within business for over
seven years now. And it's really exciting. You know, now that we
have offices in three other continents, and I think so. So I always
tell people, you know, just step out of the comfort zone, try
different things and you never, you'll be amazed at the kind of
doors of opportunities that opened up.
James Taylor
And as you started moving into becoming a speaker, who were those
early mentors for you who the people that maybe have taken you
under their wing have helped support you and can provide advice and
mentorship.
Karen Leong
One interesting tip that I always give aspiring speakers is to
surround yourself with people who are very different from you. And
I would say that, you know, one of my closest partners and mentors
is Mike Harmon, co founder and director. We started the company
together. Seven years ago. And the interesting thing is because he
had such a different perspective for me, in fact, we still debate
and Quarrel a lot. But that, but you know, when you surround
yourself with with people who are different, you expand your
worldview, you do not get limited by how you see things. So that
helped me to see beyond a one dimension perspective of the
business, that I not only honed my craft in speaking, but also
running a speaking business. And I think for every speakers, you
know, how to excel on stage is important. But yet how to excel off
stage is equally important, because we often spend more time
building the business to preparing to speak on stage,
James Taylor
essentially, as I've been interviewing all these incredible
speakers, one of the things that I've seen, it's not with every
speaker, but I would say probably the majority of them, there is a
creative peer there there is someone else, they have the help
support them in their speaking, it could be spouse, it could be a
business manager, and usually that person is the complete opposite
of them. So usually, the speaker is a person who obviously very
happy getting up on stages, and being that person, and the person
is more in the office, it loves all the detail and going to the
fight near the fine detail of things and the selling and making
stuff happen as well. So it's great that you have in your business,
one of those creative pairs, you have someone that can it can act
as the opposite. I mean, this is one of the things I was you know,
from your time at KPMG that now in organizations, you know, after
the last big crash in the US and the worldwide crash, when they
looked at it, they said one of the things that they found is those
companies that took the biggest crash with the least diverse in
terms of their their senior leadership, as well. So in a lot of
companies has spent a lot more time on having much more diverse
boards in them as well to to have a different different views
coming.
Karen Leong
No, absolutely. And we need to remember one thing you know, as
speakers, why clients seek us out is because they're having a
problem. And one of the biggest problems that companies all face
are the problem with people and performance. And, and so you know
that being able to help companies to tap into diversity is always
going to be a powerful way of solving real problems, that almost
any company with more than a couple of people will face. Because
you know, you think about it, you know, if you have a team of 10
people all who are cognitive and intelligent, there is bound to be
conflict, there is bound to be different viewpoints. So, for us,
like you know, at influence solutions, we have a mandate, where we
are focused on helping companies be more profitable by helping
people be more productive, and productivity performance. These are
the two peas, that companies are all looking for the end of the
day. I mean, they might hire us for for being an expert in change
in leadership influence. But at the end, it is performance. It is
productivity, its profitability that companies are seeking
solutions for so and so that's that's one thing that I want to ask
people to do. You know, it's like when you become a problem solver,
you would always be in demand.
James Taylor
So you are known as being like present terms of being an
influential person yourself and helping others become influential,
whether that's as CEOs or speakers or whatever their their role in
his life in life. I'm interested like that, that whole thing about
insurance, we hear that phrase batted around a lot. But can you
actually say, what really is influenced? What does that? What does
that mean? And what are the component parts of it of being
influential?
Karen Leong
You know, you hit upon a magic question. Because a lot of times
influence is such a broad word, like like, you know, so how do you
actually break it down to something simple? If you really think
about it, I'm going to ask you to do an experiment, which is to
look into your head, when you meet somebody for the first time.
What happens?
James Taylor
Right, so
Karen Leong
two questions pop up. Let's look at the first question. When you
meet someone new, the first question you ask yourself is do I like
this person? And this happens in a matter of seconds. So it's not
logical? It's an intuitive, it's an emotional answer. So the answer
is, No. What happens is that the conversation ends, there is no
incentive to really want to know that person. But the answer is
yes, I like you, then we are more motivated to start, continue
interacting, continue listening to that person. So what does like
really mean? It actually the mind is actually asking us do I trust
this person's intentions? So that's the really first pillar of
influence which is likability, which is to have people trust your
intentions. And let's look at the second pillar of influence. When
people like you, they will ask a second question, do I respect you?
Now what this really means is do I trust your capabilities. So
influence is broken down into whether somebody trusts your
intentions, and trust your capabilities. And when some, when you're
able to help people to like and respect you at the same time,
that's when you are in a zone of maximum trust. And so a lot of
people tend to veer more towards using like, or more towards using
respect, but I want to share with you this magic sentence, like
opens the door to influence. And it's respect that keeps the door
open. So any, whether you are a speaker, or you're an executive, or
just anybody who wants to get buy in from people do remember,
number one, the power of helping out letting people know that your
intentions are pure. So they trust you, they lead you. And
secondly, to showcase your expertise, so that people trust your
capability.
James Taylor
So just thinking about breaking that down and the like, and the
respect, and I'm almost thinking that now, when a speaker goes out
on stage, isn't that great speakers I've seen rather than start
with all the very tactical things, the start is like Simon Sinek,
they'll start with why they're why they're in it, which is
basically pulling, going to the intention, do I trust this person
is what this person is saying? Do I Do I trust that their intention
is right there why connects with me as well. And that kind of then
helps with that that like part. And then they will then go on?
Sometimes it's done beforehand, by the by the person that's
announcing them on saying this person is the top of this and has
all these awards? And sometimes that speaker maybe they weren't
necessarily right at the start. But relatively early on, usually in
the first 15 minutes. They'll say something along the lines. So why
should you Why should you listen to what I'm saying? And and
they're basically kind of laying out the risk, the respect part,
they're laying out their qualifications as to why why you should be
listening to them on this particular topic,
Karen Leong
and very well said. So I think the key thing is understanding the
sequencing, a lot of speakers who are eager to showcase your
expertise, job flying, but a lot of people don't realize the
importance of opening the door first. And I like how you talked
about the why, you know, when people feel your passion, and they
feel that your heart is in the right place, not so much focusing on
yourself, but on giving, on helping the audience benefits, perhaps
because you have a cause it's bigger than your own. That's when
people decide that, hey, I'm going to let you in, I'm going to
listen. And only when that happens, can you then have your message
Connect really powerfully with them?
James Taylor
Now one of the things that you've done before is I know in on news
channels, analyze the body language, and I'm interested on that on
that, like factors especially, are there things that you see from
the speakers who are able to connect very, very quickly, and build
that likability with the audience very, very quickly, that they all
have in common,
Karen Leong
you know, it's so likeability is one of the simplest way to show
likability is when you know, when you are really, you know, when
you when you show that you like the other person, so people, so two
things happen, people like people who like them. So which means
that you know, starting out and just, you know, being real smiling,
and just having open gestures tell people that, hey, I'm open, I
like you. Well, the second thing is people like people who are like
themselves, so which means that, you know, if you're able to
connect with people at the same level, as opposed to looking down
at people, where people feel that, hey, you know, they can really
relate to you. Perhaps even the way you speak the more
conversational it is, it feels like they are having a talking to a
friend talking to somebody who cares. So the more people feel that
they are like you and you are like them, again, that connection
becomes a lot closer and they are going to let you in. Because
likability is about closing the gap. The same thing, what is
rapport, rapport, establishing rapport is from a French word needs
to bring back, which means that you're able to close the gap to
make people feel that hey, you are actually in sync with them. So
body language definitely plays a very, very strong role in
communicating the message, not just your words,
James Taylor
and it's interesting because I remember seeing it there was there
was that famous stat years ago and it's probably probably wrong,
but it was something along the lines of it's 7% is what you say.
30% is exactly how you say. And the vast majority is like body
language you mentioned, like open gestures and things as well. And
I'm guessing one thing that you always noticed about speaking in
Singapore is, is a very global audience that you speak to them.
Because people it's a, it's a meeting point, it's a hub from people
all over the world. Obviously, a lot of big companies there. So you
might be speaking to a room of 100 people, and there's like 50
different nationalities in that room as well. So you've kind of got
you've got to kind of figure out then about how to how to connect
with, you know, with with people have got maybe very different
backgrounds to you different kind of cultures to use, or is there
any any advice that you would give for speakers, when you are
speaking to those more global audience is not quite as homogenous,
you're speaking people from all over the world, different cultures,
different backgrounds? Is there anything you can do to increase
that likability factor early on, you know,
Karen Leong
he, as I speak, you know, in so many different countries across so
many different industries, and it's really fascinating how similar
people are. Because if you look at that, we all have the same
emotions, we all, you know, have the same primary fears, the same
primary dreams. So the key thing about likability, you talked
about, you know, the three B's that 7%, where, you know, we
communicate three ways, using words, using a voice. And also using
visual like body language, people like you when they feel that you
are congruent. What this means is that your words match up to the
tone of your voice, which matches up to your body language. And
when people feel that, hey, this person is in sync, that means
you're authentic, you're speaking from the heart. That's when
people feel that, hey, you are real. So just a really small tip,
like, you know, during one of the presidential debates, I wouldn't
I wouldn't let I will let you guess who which candidate we were
talking about, then? You know, so the person was actually speaking
something that was, you know, positive, but suddenly shaking the
head. So it's really interesting. Imagine if you're saying
something, which is, you know, you're saying that, yes, I said,
Yes, but you're shaking your hand. The thing is that we all give
out micro expressions. And when we don't believe what we say, when
it's not congruent, our body actually speaks louder than our words
do. And that's when people go, I'm not really, really sure whether,
you know, I really trust you. So here's the tip, when we share
something that we're really passionate about, for speakers who want
to who want to, you know, to build a brand, the key thing, go back
to your passions, because passions, helps us to keep it real. And
you can't fake it, people connect to the see passion, people can
feel passion, and that's when you are most.
James Taylor
So though, that it's interesting, you know, you're just talking
about that, you know, those micro expressions and I was thinking
about the other day there was in sports, they have tells on Poker,
they have tails in in betting and things. And I remember listening
to something recently, it was a very famous tennis player, I think
it was like, maybe Boris Becker or Andrew Andre Agassi or someone,
and he consistently would beat this opponent for years and years.
And it was always these big matches a lot of tension. And it was
all be them. And his opponent could never quite work out how he was
beating him every single time. And it was only after I think was
accuracy after he retired. They were having dinner together. And he
said to me, oh, the guy system, I can never look at how you managed
to beat me. I always knew exactly what I was gonna be playing next.
And I think was agassi said, well, you have a tail, you have this
microexpression that you do every time I know you. And for him it
was if he was going to hit into the left corner, let's say he
would, he would do something with his lips, or as nice as you can
put into the left. And if it was the right it was to the right. And
he said all I had to do was just watch your face. And I could tell
exactly what you're gonna hit that shot. So I knew and this this I
wish it is so obvious or obvious. And and I think that's one of the
things that's interesting is I noticed I don't know if you do this,
but I do this and it's extremely uncomfortable. I find to watch
your videos of after you're presented on something and you see all
those little micro expressions, those body language things and you
can start to pick up actually, I can hear what I'm saying. But like
when I switch the volume when I put the mute off, it just is not
marrying up with with what I'm saying. When you when someone's
built that respect, they say that they've got the like, they've got
the respect How do they How do they leverage that respecting
they've built the gone audience the the audience is liking them,
the audience now respect them. How'd you How can you then leverage
that for something else,
Karen Leong
you know, I love the story, but talking about legacy and and
building upon it to the power of respect. I mean, just just to
share with you that, just just take the example, that about how I
wanted to build on respect, because, you know, when I wrote the
book when people over and that was the book on influence, I, I was
not yet an authority on influence. And I wanted to become a thought
leader in influence. And that's why I decided to write a book. But
the key thing is, a lot of people think that you need to be an
authority first, before you become an author, before you get that
respect, actually, it's the other way around, you know, when you
become an author, you actually become an authority. So So, you
know, to deciding that I'm going to write the book to win people
over and through interviews, more than 100 interviews, and, and
then designing and running my influence 247 programs for executives
in 13 countries, and, and having an influence profiling tool, and
we had 10s, of 1000s of profiles. See, that whole process actually
helped me to hone my expertise, and help me to hone and clarify
what exactly a person can do to become effortlessly naturally
influence. So what I want to just point out is that, you know, just
get started. And writing a book is one of the best credibility,
indie caters the best way that you can add value to your audiences.
So you're going to ask everyone just start writing, if you haven't
had a book, you know, but it's writing on blogs or writing on
social media, that process is going to sow the seeds for you to be
able to write a book and become that thought leader, and the
authority
James Taylor
and the fact you've influenced, you've interviewed all those, you
know, 100 plus people about about influence. So you have all that
primary research that you've done as well, was there anything as
you were interviewing all these people, and it was something in the
book, which maybe sounds a little bit counterintuitive, about an
influence you can have shouldn't really work. But you just found
time and time again, this is this is a really powerful way to
influence anyone,
Karen Leong
let us show you something, which is interesting. A lot of people
think that in order to really influence somebody, I need to put in
a lot of effort. But the key thing is, we actually don't need to
put a lot of effort in order to be able to win somebody. So just
share a really short story. And it came out from what is one part
of my book and how you can transform any relationship. So there was
a there was a guy in the audience. And, you know, I asked him, I
mean, he he actually said that, you know, he had somebody he wanted
to influence. But the person so often what's the first word that
comes to mind? And this was actually during a keynote? What was the
first one that comes to mind when you think of that person? And he
said, Well, you know, the person is really selfish. And so I said,
Okay, so you could change the word into a neutral word, what would
it be? And, you know, the whole audience actually gave him a lot of
suggestions, a word that can replace selfish, but that's very
similar in meaning that doesn't have a negative connotation. After
about easily 20 suggestions, he couldn't find a word until somebody
came up with a word, guess what it was? It's a magic word. It's
called Word misunderstood. misunderstood? And he said, Yes, I think
I think I could replace selfish with this misunderstood, and it
didn't have any negative connotation. So you know, I said, Why
don't you every time you see this person, you're going to replace
that word? And can you let me know how it went? Do you know like,
one month later, he actually shared with me that, you know, his
relationship with a person changed. He was actually a colleague of
his. And, you know, nothing happened in the first few days. But
after missing the word misunderstood, he had a deeper conversation
with her. And, you know, and then he realized that actually, she is
a single mother and bringing up a daughter. And that's when it hit
him that she's actually far from selfish because everything she did
was for the daughter. So what I wanted it self love. Yeah, so just
a really simple tip. We put words on everybody, but it's a client,
whether it's a colleague, you know, whether it's a friend or purse
or anybody, we slap a word on them. If the word is a negative one,
your relationship would tend to be negative. But if the word is if
we can change the work to neutral or positive The interesting thing
is, we will start to open channels of communication. And, and that
would actually allow us to understand the person and we'd be amazed
at, you know, again, how people start to view and, and, and view
people differently. So, so all of the things that we're all a mixed
bag of words. And when you change the word into a positive one, you
will have a positive relationship. And that's a simple tip in terms
of transforming any relationship you want.
James Taylor
And as you were going in through your journey in terms of becoming
a speaker, and speaking more internationally, was there a key aha
moment and insight, light bulb moment you went, Oh, okay, this is
maybe the direction I want to go with my speaking or these are the
types of clients I want to work with, or you made some kind of key
distinction in your speaking work.
Karen Leong
You know, it's really interesting, you asked that, because I want
to look back in my journey, it has been so diverse, you know, the
kinds of industries and the kind of countries that I've been in
that, in fact, it's, it's my ability to transcend industries, to
transcend cultures, and even leadership levels that has allowed me
to really hone my expertise and make a big difference. So you know,
even right now, I'm working on my next book, which is called the
catalyst, micro actions that can spark personal revolutions. And
I'm also in the process now of interviewing my next 100 people. And
it's fascinating. It's fascinating that, you know, that there is so
much actually, so much of the same problems, that people who are so
different things. And again, there are so many amazing solutions
that can work across situations. So I think, you know, sometimes
it's good to go wide, before we go narrow, because when we go wide,
and we speak in all kinds of platforms, it actually allows us to
find what is the niche that allows us to make the biggest impact,
no matter what industry and what country,
James Taylor
I think it's one of the interesting things about being a being a
speaker, because you get to speak at so many different industries
and so many different into so many different countries. You after a
while, if you're speaking on one particular topic, and you're
talking to his clients about how that topic relates to them, you
start noticing patterns we've got so obviously the industry is is
neither here nor there, it's you start to see the patterns, or
whether it's in pharmaceuticals, or whether it's in entertainment,
or whether it's in some completely different industry, you're going
to get to see those things and then that can really become more
like principles, and then you're able to kind of feed that back
into your, your speaking as well. So I love that I love the idea of
like finding catalysts, and moments of that, you know, those kind
of catalyst moments that happen. So I'm looking forward to reading
that book as it when it comes out next. And
Karen Leong
I'll keep you posted.
James Taylor
I want to see that book. So I was in your your speaker bag was in
that bag that you carry with you to all of your various speaking
engagements, you never leave home without what's in that bag. You
know, it's
Karen Leong
interesting. I mean, I do have a bag that's kind of packed. And,
but but essentially, it's easy. The key thing is that I always, you
know, like to travel like so even though I pack it, it's like it's
just the same thing, you know, having my clickers having a, you
know, the other tech nail down. But the fascinating thing is that,
you know, nowadays, I also always bring at least just one copy of
my book. Because every, every time I'm being asked, you know if
where is it that they can find my book. And I don't sell my books
at keynotes. But most I mean, unless the conference organizers
package it. But um, but but I realized that you know that that book
has really opened the doors, and has really helped to create
incredible value, especially, you know, whenever I'm speaking. So
it's it's like a very natural calling card. And it's a way for me
to at least give immediate value to to someone who has asked the
best question. I love I love it when people ask questions, and my
keynotes are always so many questions. So I always believe in
rewarding in rewarding curiosity. And the more people are curious,
you know, that's going to change the game for them.
James Taylor
And if you were to recommend one tool, one app, mobile app or tool
online resource that you find really useful for yourself as a
speaker, what would that tool be
Karen Leong
five letters Asana. I, my team because we're a global team. We live
by our sada because you see running a speaking business Just not
about speaking, it's about understanding how you run a smooth
business that provides immediate value to your clients. So for us,
you know, we work also virtually, across so many different time
zones, and the ability to hold each other accountable. The ability
to ensure that projects are done to expect a quality and to expect
it speed. Because we pride ourselves on being fast in responding to
clients, and ensuring that our clients are successful. So the only
way that we could train companies and teams on how to be better
leaders, how to be more productive, how to thrive on change, is if
we embed the same principles within the organization. So I highly
recommend productivity tools like Asana, so that we are efficient,
highly productive, able to deliver massive value in the shortest
amount of time. And what about a
James Taylor
book, if you do recommend just one book, not one of your own books,
but maybe a book that is influenced your life, it could be on
speaking or it could be on on influence? Or another topic, do you
think would be a real value to the attendees here just now? What
would that book be, you know,
Karen Leong
the book that has made the biggest change for me is Victor
Frankel's Man's Search for Meaning. I have reread the book a couple
of times. Because the thing is, you know, a lot of people want to,
you know, embark on a journey to find success. Many people also
want to do this to find happiness. But knowing what I know, now,
you know, it's really doing something that's meaningful, that will
allow us to play the long game, because the speaking business, you
know, it's ultimately fulfilling, it can also be a roller coaster
of challenges. And so, tying back to really doing that something
meaningful, I think it gave me the resilience to go the distance,
it gives me the gumption to really continue, and to do my best
work. So that's the one book that I might go to,
James Taylor
I love I love that book as well. Um, I think, Mike, my take on that
book is, I don't know, I don't know what your thoughts are better.
But the big takeaway I took for it was that sometimes we don't
necessarily know that at the point that we're living in an
experience, what that meaning is, is only when we look back, it's
like, I'm the one who uses it, it's almost like a movie film, when
you can look back or make sense at the end of the movie, but when
you're in the middle of the movie, or the stuff that maybe doesn't
quite make sense to you. But you said, as long as that scene makes
sense to you, and that that scene has meaning, then at the end of
it, then you can kind of see how they all relate to each other.
It's very difficult. You know, someone said, what was the meaning
of life? You know, when you're, when you're, when you're in it,
it's like, that's almost like to be a question, like, what is the
meaning of what I'm doing now and this this part of my life, but
that's that I don't know, how you feel. But that's, that was my
kind of takeaway from that book,
Karen Leong
you know, what I've learned is the incredible human spirit. And it
is one thing I want to leave people with is what I've, through the
work I've done, I realized that everyone is born influential, that
everybody has the capability to influence. And there's just two
things we need to remember. Number one, just have the purest of
intentions. And number two, be generous in giving your expertise
and giving your knowledge. And when you focus on these two things,
you would naturally activate the influencer with him. And that's
also my mission, to help people to tap into that natural
influencer. To me, it's not about learning a technique. It's
actually about freeing and unleashing what's really inside such
that we can do it, you know, so effortlessly. And that's actually
also one of my passions. And my my main aim is to empower more
natural influences worldwide.
James Taylor
So I'm going to ask you to finish up Africa. One of my final
questions is, I want you to imagine you woke up tomorrow morning,
and we say Singapore and Singapore. And you have all the skills
that you've acquired over the years, all the knowledge, but no one
knows you, and you know, no one, you have to completely restart
your career. What would you do? How would you restart things? See,
I
Karen Leong
know James, you like to ask very interesting questions. But it's I
like it, you see if I had to completely restart everything. the
fascinating thing is, you know, I, I have actually started from
zero before. And now that this is my second successful business, I
realized that we actually don't need anything But conviction and
passion to get started. So imagine is a speaking business the best
way to get started because we don't need anything to actually, you
know, get up on stage and start sharing value. So I would just
continue doing what I'm really passionate about and start giving,
you know, giving value speaking to not for profits, helping
companies with CSR, and just getting my talent. And the fascinating
thing is that, you know, the more we give, the more we see the
world as a place of abundance, a world of collaborators, we
actually will start building a very supportive, empowering
networking community naturally. So I would just simply start
speaking.
James Taylor
So I was just saying that like in terms of giving value, one of the
things you're giving value to this audience is you provided a
special report which is the key to effortless influence, we're
going to have a link here just below this video so people can click
on that and go through and access that as well. If people want to
just kind of connect with you reach out to you maybe to learn refer
you for speaking opportunities or just just to connect where's the
best place for them to do that
Karen Leong
so you know I'm available on Facebook at Karen young Connect I'm
also available LinkedIn so and or just drop me an email at Karen at
Karen Jones comm I'm always open to see how I could offer value
connect people and really just make an impact. So you know,
Facebook, LinkedIn, and email These are my three go to places.
James Taylor
Well, Karen, absolute pleasure speaking with you to get today I'm
looking for I know we're probably going to meet up in a few weeks
time I'm going to be in Singapore speaking and so we'll get a
chance to kind of hang out as well. And thank you so much for
coming on the summit today.
Karen Leong
Thank you so much. It's been such an enlightening and inspiring
conversation with you.
It's a pleasure to be here.
James Taylor
Today's episode was sponsored by speakers you the online community
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