The story of two men who started at the same firm

Late afternoon one sunny day two young students graduated from law school.

These two lawyers were very much alike. They both had about the same marks, the same ambitions, and the same intelligence. They even had the same work ethic and drive.

30 years later, they met again.

Still, they were similar.

Both were married. Both, it turned out, had gone to work for the same firm.

But there was one major difference…

One was a partner, and doing well. The other had risen further, sat on the board of international banks, and was now President of the largest firm of its kind in the world.

If you’re like me, when you hear a story like this, you ask yourself one question:

What made the difference?

We’ve all heard stories like this, haven’t we? And we all have the evidence showing that it’s not down to natural intelligence or determination, or even ‘blood, sweat, and tears.’

It isn’t that one of them has ‘drive’ and the other doesn’t.

So what’s the difference?

Authority – and how it’s cultivated.

Why is it that when you go to a summit or conference or think tank or roundtable or whatever name you want to give a gathering of minds, most of the people you hear from fade into the mists of ‘not worth remembering’?

And why is it that one or two stand out?

Again – authority.

What do I mean by authority?

The word comes from the Latin auctoritas, which means ‘a view, opinion, or judgement; influence’.

So authority means having an opinion or a clear view… making a judgement… and communicating that to someone else.

The ability to influence.

So the difference is in how one person is continuously and effectively selling their vision to those around them… while the other does not.

That’s the difference that makes a leader.

And that’s why the ability to speak with authority is so crucial for anyone wanting to stand out – whether you’re already a leader or you want to become one.

Anyway, if you want to see that difference in your own life, that’s the difference I provide. With over 1,053 speeches under my belt and a track record of 159+ a year, I help you speak with the authority and impact you deserve.

Hit ‘reply’ and let’s talk.

Alexander