Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Why most public speaking advice is wrong—and how to finally overcome your speaking anxiety | Tristan de Montebello (CEO & co-founder of Ultraspeaking)

Oct 13, 2024

Tristan de Montebello, co-founder and CEO of Ultraspeaking, achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking in just seven months. He shares insights on why public speaking is a transformative meta skill. Listeners learn about engaging techniques like the Accordion Method for talk preparation and the Bow and Arrow Technique for impactful presentations. Tristan emphasizes overcoming speaking anxiety through practical exercises and games, making public speaking enjoyable and effective.

01:56:30

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Episode guests

Tristan de Montebello

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Quick takeaways

Public speaking is a meta skill that enhances various life aspects, boosting confidence and improving relationships and career interactions.

Enjoyment during public speaking is crucial; losing joy can hinder effective communication and authenticity in connecting with the audience.

The Accordion Method helps speakers develop clarity and intentionality by refining their core message through structured, timed practices.

The Bow and Arrow Technique emphasizes crafting impactful speeches centered around a single takeaway supported by engaging anecdotes.

Deep dives

The Power of Conversational Speaking

Many individuals adopt a formal tone when public speaking, transforming into a different version of themselves that feels more professional. However, speaking conversationally is often more powerful and engaging, allowing speakers to connect more authentically with their audience. This episode emphasizes the significance of maintaining a relaxed and comfortable speaking style, encouraging speakers to focus on natural, engaging conversation instead of adhering to formalities. As highlighted, one effective cue is to remind oneself of the human aspect of speaking, to treat it as a means of sharing thoughts rather than performing.

Flow Over Frameworks

01:46

Land the Plane: Close with Confidence

01:24

Intro

6min

Unlocking the Power of Public Speaking

24min

Boosting Public Speaking through Play

7min

Journey to Self-Discovery and Public Speaking

22min

Embracing Discomfort for Personal Growth

3min

Navigating Connection and Growth

14min

Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

19min

Mastering Public Speaking with the Accordion Method

2min

Mastering Public Speaking with the Bow and Arrow Technique

11min

10.

The Journey to Victory: Overcoming Doubt Before the Championship

5min

11.

Enhancing Public Speaking Skills and Resources

3min

Tristan de Montebello is the co-creator of Ultraspeaking, the most effective method I’ve come across for rapidly improving communication and presentation skills. In 2017, Tristan became the fastest person ever to reach the finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking, achieving this feat in just seven months with no prior experience. In our conversation, we discuss:

• Why public speaking is a meta skill that can transform your life

• Practical games and exercises to improve your speaking skills

• The “Accordion Method” for preparing talks without memorization

• The “Bow and Arrow Technique” for crafting memorable presentations

• Tristan’s journey to the World Championship of Public Speaking finals

• Lenny doing some of the exercises live on-screen

Tristan is offering a limited-time discount to Ultraspeaking. Both codes are valid until November 14, 2024:

→ $500 off an Unlimited Membership with code UNLIMITEDLENNY500

→ $200 off a Rapid Tier pass for a single cohort with code RAPIDLENNY200

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