YOU ARE THE VESSEL, NOT THE SOURCE.
everything is a remix
Keep it general and take the pressure off
The Pressure of Being an Executive Voice
As an executive, you’re accustomed to carrying immense responsibility—for your company, your shareholders, and your broader community. It’s no surprise that this weight often translates into a belief that every public appearance, especially a TV interview, must showcase groundbreaking, original thought.
But here’s the truth: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be impactful.
When speaking to TV journalists and general audiences, your role is to be the vessel for meaningful insights, not the sole source of revolutionary ideas.
Everything Is a Remix
Artists and creatives often live by the rule that everything is a remix. Acknowledging this frees them from the overwhelming pressure to create something entirely new with each endeavor. The same rule applies to you as an executive.
Chances are, the trends and insights you share won’t be completely unheard of. But that doesn’t diminish their value. Audiences appreciate perspectives and the delivery of information as much as the content itself.
Shift Your Perspective: The Value of Intentions Over Originality
Constantly striving to say something groundbreaking will only lead to disappointment and unnecessary stress. Instead, focus on these principles:
Authenticity: Align your message with your company’s mission and your personal values.
Personalization: Share stories or insights that humanize your message and make it relatable to a wider audience.
Interesting Findings: Incorporate data, statistics, or trends to provide context and reinforce your position as a thought leader.
Audiences are not expecting a Ph.D.-level dissertation—they’re looking for insights delivered with clarity, purpose, and relatability.
Two Key Elements of a Great TV Interview
In my experience interviewing Heads of State, Fortune 500 CEOs, and award-winning leaders, the best interviews share two critical elements:
Personalization: Human stories or anecdotes make your message relatable and memorable.
Data and Findings: Numbers, trends, and statistics strengthen your credibility and keep your company relevant in the conversation.
Together, these elements not only establish your authority but also ensure that you’ll be invited back to share more input on industry-related topics.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Role as the Vessel
Stop holding yourself to an impossible standard of perfection. Instead, recognize that your insights are valuable because of your unique perspective, not because they’re entirely original.
By focusing on delivering a message that’s authentic, aligned, and supported by relatable stories and data, you’ll communicate with greater ease and confidence—and leave a lasting impression on audiences.