One power move for every time you present

The humble Caesar salad turned 100 in July this year. This menu staple, from Milan to Mumbai, has lasted over a century.

The origin story of Caesar salad is murky and has nothing to do with Julius Caesar! Most experts agree that it was first cobbled together with leftover ingredients. One version suggests that Alex Cardini was the creator, but his brother, the renowned Italian chef Caesar Cardini, took the credit, putting his first name on it.

A more dramatic origin story claims that an employee recreated his mother’s recipe in chef Caesar Cardini’s kitchen. Chef Caesar Cardini then stole the recipe and slapped his name on it, claiming all the credit. I know, yet again!

Your origin story answers the question your audience is thinking: ‘Who are you, and why should I listen to you?’

When Anna Gare, the new judge of Junior Master Chef in Australia, was introduced to her audience, she shared a relatable origin story: ‘I started cooking when I was your age, and I could barely see over the counter.’ Her young audience, all children between 8 and 12 years old, laughed and immediately connected with her.

Here’s your power move: share your origin story whenever you present. And do it within the first few minutes. 𝐀𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭.

But remember, your origin story is 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 a long or condensed version of your CV. Instead, focus on what your audience needs to know about you rather than what you want to tell them.

To craft an engaging origin story, focus on moments of discovery that shaped your expertise. To unearth your origin story:

1. Travel back in time to when you discovered what you teach/ share to be true
2. Recall a turning point or a time of self-doubt followed by a breakthrough
3. Identify what would resonate with your audience

Every time you present, your audience must trust you before they can trust your message. This is where the power of an origin story comes in. It builds instant trust and connection.

Photo by Chris Tweten on Unsplash