A few days before a business networking event, I found out that everyone would get 60 seconds to introduce themselves.

Perfect, I thought.
Sixty seconds to make an impression. Sixty seconds to show what I stand for.
So I spent hours crafting and rewriting what I proudly called the best 60 seconds of my life.

I wanted it to sound sharp, emotional, memorable.
I practiced it in the mirror, in the car, while brushing my teeth.
By the morning of the event, I could deliver it with military precision — perfectly timed, perfectly rehearsed.

And then… the event started.

As I waited for my turn — ninth in line — something started to shift.
By the time the fourth person finished, I realized I hadn’t actually heard much of they said.
I was too busy replaying my lines in my head.

My heartbeat quickened.
I started sweating.
And then came this quiet, crystal-clear inner voice:

“Don’t do it. Just speak from your heart. Throw it away.”

But I didn’t listen.

When my turn came, I gave the speech.
Except it wasn’t me speaking anymore — it was the version of me that wanted to look good, sound good, and impress.
Halfway through, I lost my words. My flow. My connection.

And right before the last two sentences — the ones that were supposed to make it all land — the timer rang.

End of speech. End of story.

And how did I feel?

Like crap. Embarrassed. Frustrated. Disconnected.

Not because I failed the speech.
But because I failed myself.
I ignored my intuition — the most honest compass we have.

That moment reminded me of something powerful:
True leadership — like true presence — doesn’t come from what we prepare to say.
It comes from what we allow ourselves to feel.
It comes from having the courage to call ourselves out when we sense we’re out of alignment.

Because sometimes, authenticity sounds a lot like this:

“I had something prepared, but right now, I just want to speak honestly.”

That’s the moment people actually start listening.

Reflection for Leaders:

• How often do you override your intuition because you want to “sound right” or “look professional”?
• What might change if your next 60 seconds — in a meeting, on stage, or at home — came straight from the heart?

Love,
Laszlo