You are not a houseplant

Have you seen Rabbit OS? Launched at #CES 2024. A new AI device that, like Hu.Ma.Ne's AI pin is going for the smartphone. The R1 by Rabbit is a device we talk to rather than stare at. Chat with instead of tap tap tap. The product launch by the co-founder was slick. Inspired by the launch of the product, it is looking to replace.

Of the 25-minute keynote, the opening 6 minutes is good. We see and hear the co-founder talk us through the why, the what, the how, and the who of Rabbit's R1. But let's go deep on one aspect.

His gestures.

They are limited and very repetitive.

In the opening 1m 32 sec, he uses one core gesture. And repeats it a lot. Over 50 times. There are subtle variations. Hands wider apart. Pinching the thumb and forefinger. But essentially, he has his hands in front of him in an unnatural pose. It's like he's holding a volleyball. His hands jitter about. Is he fidgeting on a caffeine high? Or it's almost like someone is yanking invisible puppet strings. It is distracting and takes away from his connection with the audience.

Plus, he doesn't smile - he doesn't look happy to be there - but that is another post. At this frequency, the gesture becomes detrimental to his performance. By the way, Tim Cook does the same. He overuses "fingertip triangle hands".

Watch any of his keynotes - it's like his fingertips have magnets in them. The Apple and Rabbit CEOs are not gesturing naturally. They are moving how we do when we are overthinking it. Almost stressed. Limited and repetitive. They are in a gesture rut.

What can you do to avoid getting stuck in a rut?

01 - breath

02 - don't recite a memorized script

03 - move around

04 - pause

05 - smile

06 - be you, not who your coach, advisors, assistants and press secretary are telling you to be.

When you speak, and it's natural, you do all six things above. When you stop doing these, you become less natural. You are trying too hard. If you watch any of the benchmark-setting talks by Steve Jobs, he moves around a lot, He uses all his of the stage. The better TED speakers do the same. They are told to stay in the red dot. But the red TED carpet is not tiny. Even one step forward. To the left or to the right has a huge positive impact.

Tim Urban is excellent at this. Movement helps the performance energy flow. Move nice and slow. But move. Don't stand two feet stuck to the floor. You are not a houseplant.

Think about it like this. Who's in charge when event production dictates too much about the speaker's outcome? Who's the focus? You, the leader, should be. Even with recorded product launches - move around. Yes, it might make the production more expensive as there is tracking to manage. But when you launch a new device to the world, is it not worth it?

You have spent the big money.

Going premium and being natural in the launch video. The one you use for at least a year in all social media is worth investing in. The alternative is being told not to move. And getting stuck in a rut. Looking, sounding average when this is the moment to be historic. It's the reason why, 12 years after his passing, Steve Jobs is still cited as the benchmark for public speaking. Even when new devices are coming to take over the smartphone market.

So Relax.

Move.

Be you.

Be prepared.

Be a leader.

Be amazing.

Look at the two waveforms below in the comments. Be A not B. When you speak, have gestures with an intentionally different shape. Rhythm. Flow.

Public speaking. Presenting. Pitching. Are stressful. I was so overwhelmed by my TEDx Beijing talk I almost bolted off the stage like a startled rabbit. I get it. I've been there. That experience taught me a massive lesson.

Preparation is key. With preparation, we get better very fast. It's a hockey stick. A surge of progress comes from intentional practice.

If you are working towards a keynote talk at a marketing conference.

A company intro at a business breakfast.

A 5-minute speaker spot at a product launch.

A long-form podcast conversation.

An investor pitch.

A TEDx talk.

Come and talk to me. I have services at all levels. I will share how you can be the best speaker at the event.