1. Tell us more about what you do and what led you to speak on this platform.
I am a chartered accountant turned thought leader, coach, speaker, and educator. I work in the space of leadership, human potential, organization development, sustainability, and consciousness and help my clients to champion the EXTRAordinary. I empower them to realize their full potential; build ethically and culturally conscious workspaces; develop authentic leadership; foster high-performance teams and create profit maximization strategies.
Known for “breaking the complex into simple actionable & measurable results”, over the last 40+ years, I have helped thousands in India and abroad. My clients have often reported that after my talks, coaching, and workshops they are Thinking Sharper – Solving Smarter – Innovating Faster.
When I look back on my journey ending with what I am doing today, I see the hand and design of providence in it. By making me experience the good, bad and the ugly, life has taught me, what is not taught in schools and universities - namely (1) to excel and thrive in life nothing less than an integrated approach works, and nothing more is required; (2) money and spirituality are not enemies, they are friends who love to co-exist, and (3) to transform self and others you need to share and help with an open heart. This unique perspective sets me apart in my field.
As for what led me to speak on this platform, it was a serendipitous moment. When I received Himanshi’s request for this interview and I visited the platform’s website, my institution spoke to me, urging me to participate. I am someone who often follows his instincts, and in this case, it guided me to say yes.
2. How do you choose and prepare for a talk?
Mark Twain says “There are only two types of speakers in the world. First – the nervous and second – liars”. I fall in the nervous category. Nervous because my audience looked up to me. They invest their time, energy, and money to listen to me. And I know, I have the power to influence them either way. Therefore, to ensure that I deliver insightful and valuable content, content that adds value to their life and they do not feel cheated of the trust they impose in me, I follow a focused and deliberate process to select and prepare my talk.
There are broadly six steps that I follow. It starts with “accepting the speaking assignment”. This is the most difficult part of the process. Many times we speakers get an invite to speak on topics that do not fall within our expertise but we know we can speak. I will not deny that in such times we do get tempted to say yes. But, for the reasons mentioned above, I like to stick to my areas of expertise which encompasses leadership, human potential, organization development, sustainability, and consciousness.
This is followed by understanding the “why of the event” from the organizers. This enables me to align my content with the event's goals and objectives. Next is “understanding audience demographics”. This is crucial as it helps in tailoring my message for maximum resonance. Once the above is clear I get into “research and message development” to find and bring in the right angle or perspective to make the message meaningful for the audience. I also add a few “action points in the script”.
Action points increase the recall value of the message. This is followed by “practice” – pacing, tone and clarity. And lastly, “reach at least 30 minutes early” is a must for me. This allows me to familiarize myself with the physical environment, set up any technical equipment, and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
3. How can one become a public speaker?
My take on this question is that we do not need to become public speakers because we are already public speakers. Aren’t we speaking in private and public right from the time we are born? The correct question is ‘How can one become a better speaker’.
To become a better speaker, we need to work in three areas. The first is to identify the areas or topics in which you want to speak. Objectively assess your expertise in the identified areas or topic. If you find yourself deficient then you need to research and equip yourself with knowledge. It is said the best speakers go one inch wide and one mile deep.
The second is your stage presence and ability to connect with the audience. Your body needs to be relaxed, your breathing calm and voice-controlled. You need to develop the ability to look at the audience with love like an elder brother or sister. And lastly your presentation abilities. This involves the script, talking points, language, take-home points, emotions, voice manipulation, and body language.
If a person is really serious about becoming a better speaker or a professional speaker, my suggestion would be to hire a coach. It might cost a bit of money but then the advantages would outweigh the costs. Mindfully listening to great speakers also helps tremendously.
One needs to remember, that becoming a better speaker is a continuous process of self-improvement and refinement. By working on the aspects mentioned earlier and seeking guidance when needed, one can enhance his/her public speaking skills and effectively connect with the audience whether in public or private.
4. Can motivational speaking become a full-time career?
My answer is YES, motivational speaking can become a full-time career. But if you are asking whether you can earn enough from motivational speaking to run your household, the answer would be NO, provided you join the league of Deepak Chopra, Tony Robins, Marshal Goldsmith, Gaur Gopal Das, Orphrey Winfrey who charge millions to deliver a talk.
These names are a good inspiration to design your motivational speaking journey and aim to reach where they have reached. However, they do not represent the reality of the growing population of motivational speakers. The reality is that most motivational speakers across the world are finding it difficult to live a decent comfortable life purely from motivational speaking income. Most motivational speakers supplement their speaking income with coaching, training, and workshop incomes.
I do not want to discourage aspiring and existing motivational speakers. The world needs quality motivational speakers and one can definitely carve out a full-time career in motivational speaking. But then you need to go beyond emotional statements like – I want to give back to society, my purpose in life is to help people, I want to make the world a better place.
You need to be clear about what you want to give back to society and how you will give back, in what area will you help how will you help, and how will you make the world a better place. You need to approach motivational speaking like a business. You need to learn the skills of what to sell, why to sell, and how to sell. And also remember, one who speaks from life experiences is always heard.
In conclusion, while making motivational speaking a full-time career is possible, it requires diversified income streams, a clear sense of purpose, and a business approach. With dedication, expertise, and a genuine desire to help others, you can carve out a rewarding career in motivational speaking. Success in this field may not mirror the success of the few high-profile speakers whose names we often hear.
5. Which is your favorite talk ever and how did it change your life?
Life is not binary. It is made up of many different dimensions namely physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual. These dimensions are further subdivided and depending on the admixture of these four components and subcomponents, different personalities get created with each having its own unique development need.
A balanced growth and evolution of these four dimensions is critical. For example, when the material dimension grows disproportionately with spiritual and ethical growth, it leads to a society focused solely on material gains without any consideration for moral values. Conversely, if the spiritual dimension is cultivated without attention to material well-being, it results in a society where people struggle to meet their basic needs.
Against the backdrop of this reality, I do not limit myself to one favorite. I draw inspiration and value from different thought leaders across dimensions and would encourage everyone to do so.
In my case, talks of HH Prof. PS Satsangi, and Jean Huston have helped me understand the quantum dimension of life. Bruce Lipton, Dan Seigal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn have helped me understand the human behavioral dimension. Similarly, Marshall Goldsmith, Tony Robins, and Deepak Chopra have added value to me in the space of authentic leadership. I believe that we should imbibe value from whatever source we can, without playing up one source against the other.
6. What are the best public speaking tips that have worked for you?
I am a firm believer in the maxim that supreme excellence be it of character, manner, style, or speaking rests in simplicity. The three simple public speaking tips that have worked for me are –
- when on stage don’t speak from your head, speak from your heart. This builds a bond with the audience, there is an exchange of emotions, and your message is received better;
- prepare one inch wide and one mile deep. We have a tendency to pack too much in the time allotted to us as a speaker. Packing too much makes you ramble and you end up confusing the audience. When you keep your focus narrow but deep, the audience loves it and finds your talk insightful and meaningful;
- don’t take the audience for granted, they are more intelligent than you. The biggest mistake one can make as a speaker is to take the audience for granted. No one wants to be taken for granted. Taking anyone for granted is a sure-shot recipe for rejection as a speaker.
7. What impact do you want to make in the world?
Honestly, I find this “impact” question rather cliché. For me, the better question is what would I like to contribute to the world. Nature makes each one of us unique. Some of us do realize our uniqueness, some of us recognize it but allow it to pass, and some of us just do not realize it. I have gone through all three stages and experienced the transformation that manifests in you when you realize it and share it with an open heart full of love.
My uniqueness rests in my ability to decipher life’s complexities and distill them into actionable insights. My aim is to empower people and organizations to unleash their own innate potential and give meaning and purpose to their lives by learning to think, solve smarter, and innovate faster.
I am committed to freely sharing with the world, whatever I have inside me. Whether individuals choose to embrace or reject these insights is a personal choice. I believe that, as the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. My mission is to facilitate the journey of self-discovery and growth for those (people and businesses) who are willing to take that step.
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
When it comes to choosing a favorite book, I have several that hold a special place in my heart. However, I’d like to highlight two in particular that have played an important role in shaping who I am today.
The first is 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' by Richard Bach. This deceptively simple story revolves around a seagull named Jonathan who dares to defy the established norms of his seagull community in pursuit of personal growth, freedom, and self-realization.
Through the lens of this avian society, the author masterfully mirrors the behavior of human society. He effectively illustrates how, under the guise of tradition and convention, society often stifles the innate desire for exploration and self-discovery. Jonathan's unwavering determination resonated with me, as it highlighted how society can both isolate and idolize those who dare to challenge its norms.
This book provided valuable insights into human behavior and equipped me with the courage to navigate various life situations, even when I found myself standing alone.
The second book, 'Eternal Values for A Changing Society,' Volume 1 – Philosophy & Spirituality, by Swami Ranganathananda, has been nothing short of a guiding light in my life. It serves as my philosophical and spiritual compass, helping me understand the intricate dynamics of the universe, the evolution of humanity, the concept of consciousness, and the principles that underlie our existence.
This book seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with modern scientific understanding, presenting timeless life principles in a secular and relatable manner. It emphasizes not renouncing life, but rather living it more fully, actively, and efficiently. I consider this book my 'Bible' for comprehending the essence of existence and building a meaningful life.
Both 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' and 'Eternal Values for A Changing Society' have had a profound impact on my personal and intellectual growth. They continue to be sources of inspiration and wisdom, enriching my understanding of the world and my place in it.
Bio:
Sandeep Gupta is a ConsciousnessPreneur known for seamlessly blending economic and human needs for EXTRAordinary gains in business and life. He is a Chartered Accountant turned Thought Leader, Coach, Professional Speaker, Sustainability Expert and Educator. His 40+ years’ of experience comprises consultancy, c-suite leadership, coaching, mentoring, speaking, and teaching.
With specialization in human potential, leadership skills, sustainability (ESG), and systems thinking he has worked with numerous clients globally and helped them in crafting conscious workspaces, fostering culturally agile businesses, building high-performance teams, and unleashing their untapped potential. Focussing equally on ethics and profit maximization, at the heart of his BESPOKE solutions lies the understanding that self-awareness and a growth mindset are distinct yet interconnected. His clients report refinement of their thoughts, decisions, and actions, leading to greater success and fulfillment in business and life.
Sandeep is acknowledged for connecting from the heart and communicating complex ideas in a simple manner, for which he has time and again received appreciation and gratitude.
He speaks and has spoken and conducted workshops and training at numerous forums across India and abroad and have his writings been published in prestigious books and journals in India and abroad.
Sandeep is President, of the Delhi Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association of India (PSAI); and Chair, of the Professional Speakers Summit 2024. He has taught Strategic Management at BITS Pilani, Theology at DEI (Deemed University), and NeuroLeadership and Mindfulness at Ubbiquo Business School, Miami.
For his work in the space of consciousness, leadership, and organization development he was awarded the 'Glory of India Award 2022' by the Indian Achievers Forum, and the ‘Spirit of Service Award 2022’ by the Professional Speakers Association of India. In 2023 he was named as one of the “Inspiring 25 Coaches”.
On the qualifications front, he did his Chartered Accountancy in 1979, Post-graduation in Theology in 2010, Certification in Interpersonal Neurobiology in 2022, and holds many more certificates and diplomas.
For more details please see:
Interviewed By - Himanshi Ahuja
Edited By - Aarya Gode
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