Impactful Communication: Maher Elusini On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Be a relentless learner, get guidance, and keep practising over and over again.
In an age dominated by digital communication, the power of articulate and effective verbal communication cannot be understated. Whether it’s delivering a keynote address, leading a team meeting, or engaging in a one-on-one conversation, impactful speaking can open doors, inspire change, and create lasting impressions. But what truly sets apart an effective communicator? What techniques and nuances elevate a speech from mundane to memorable? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Maher Elusini.
Maher Elusini, Author, and Award-Winning Speaker, also known as “The Maestro”, is an international authority in public speaking, leadership, sales, and executive training, boasting 15 years of experience and accolades. He’s garnered global recognition, including features on Dubai TV, solidifying his credibility and influence.
His captivating presentations have resonated with diverse audiences, from luxury brands to government entities, earning him prestigious awards like the International Award of Inspirational Leadership. Endorsed by industry luminaries and acclaimed for his visionary and passionate approach, Maher is shaping the landscape of communication excellence worldwide.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about communication, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Absolutely, I would love to share my backstory!
Firstly, I want to express my immense gratitude for this wonderful opportunity to share my journey. I truly believe it’s a higher calling, so let’s take a trip back nearly seven years ago when my amazing wife surprised me with tickets to a business seminar, but fate loves irony because I almost missed out on this pivotal event, as I initially delayed attending due to other commitments. Little did I know, this moment would shape where I stand today.
We attended the three-day seminar, aimed at helping business professionals, entrepreneurs, and salespersons enhance their skills. On the first day, amidst the buzzing atmosphere of networking during the break session at 10:30 AM, in that conference hall, I found myself seated in the front row. You can hear the chatter around me, but a quite yet clear voice echoed in my mind, urging me to rise and speak to the speaker.
As you can imagine, the limiting beliefs clashed with empowering thoughts as I wrestled with the idea of approaching the speaker. It felt like a brewing storm, reminiscent of the intensity in the scene from “300” where Gerard Butler screams, “This is Sparta!”
Despite my reservations, something propelled me forward. Suddenly, I found myself on stage, standing to the right of the speaker.
He turned to me, confused, and asked if he could assist me.”Can I help you, young man?”
Frozen momentarily, I managed to utter, “I just want to be like you. I want to be a speaker.”
His surprise was unmistakable as he invited me to meet him after the seminar to discuss further. As I came down the stairs, a wonderful lady approached me, having overheard our conversation. We quickly chatted and she introduced me to Toastmasters, an organization dedicated to nurturing aspiring speakers. Astonished by the idea, we exchanged contact information and a few weeks later I attended my first session, where strangers applauded and shared speeches. However, the real challenge came during the impromptu speaking segment, where I was randomly selected to speak first by the table topic host for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes on a given (random) topic without any preparation.
Remember, I have no idea what to expect, and I have never spoken on a whim like this in my life.
With nearly fifty people in the room and all eyes on me, my heart started to race, it was pounding hard, and nerves consumed me. I could feel the beads of sweat cascade down my spine. Right when I was about to speak, I faltered, unable to utter a word. I said, “Sorry everyone” and sat back down. It was a moment of sheer embarrassment and humiliation.
But I’ll never forget the moment when I sat back down because I recall thinking two things: One was, “go home, no one will know about this and retreat into anonymity, or right now, embrace this moment and rise to the challenge.”
Opting for the latter, I remember telling myself, “You must become the best speaker you could be, Maher.” So I signed up that evening, seized every opportunity to speak, devoured every book I can get my hands on the subject, and sought guidance from seasoned mentors. Through dedication and perseverance, I progressed swiftly, four months I was elected the president of the club, then a few months after that, I got invited to compete in a speech contest internationally- ultimately winning the provincial district title within just 12 months and finishing in the top 30, out of 45,000 speakers who competed on a global scale.
From there, my passion for speaking only intensified. Today, I find myself consumed by this obsession, driven to share my story and inspire others.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Undoubtedly, one of the most surreal moments of my journey was receiving an invitation to speak at a leadership summit in Dubai, UAE. What’s even more intriguing is how they stumbled upon my profile online and recognized my numerous speaking accolades. And after a quick Zoom call, they offered me a speaking slot to address esteemed individuals, including members of the royal family in the UAE.
This moment held significant weight for me because about three years prior to the invitation, I had scribbled a goal on a piece of paper — a goal that seemed distant and improbable at the time. I dreamt of standing before an audience in Dubai (I was born there), with the iconic Burj Khalifa towering in the backdrop. And guess what? The universe aligned in a remarkable fashion. The venue where I spoke was nestled right beside the majestic Burj Khalifa. It was a surreal moment, witnessing the convergence of hard work, determination, and focus.
To add to the astonishment, I was honored with the International Inspirational Leadership Award and the Global Excellence in Motivation Award by the royal family. It was a monumental milestone in my personal journey, underscoring the significance of perseverance and belief in one’s dreams!
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
The three character traits that I believe were most instrumental to my success are:
1. Willingness to Learn: I consider this trait as the bedrock of all success. Without a solid foundation of knowledge, progress is nearly impossible. It’s crucial to constantly seek out new information, apply it in practical settings, and refine it through experience. For instance, when I first embarked on my speaking journey, I lacked the knowledge and structure needed to deliver a compelling speech. However, my eagerness to learn and curious mind drove me to seek guidance from experienced speakers, educate myself on the intricacies of public speaking, and continually refine my approach. This commitment to learning ultimately resulted in tremendous success and numerous accolades and achievements.
2. Taking Decisive Action Despite Fear: Fear is a natural emotion, particularly when faced with daunting challenges or unfamiliar situations. However, the key to overcoming fear is taking decisive action. Just as everyone feels anxiety before learning to drive a car, I too experienced fear when stepping onto the stage for the first time. Despite the overwhelming nerves and apprehension, I pushed through. Over time, with persistence, passion, and practice, I learned to manage my fear and channel it into confident action.
3. Endurance and Persistence: Success rarely comes without obstacles or setbacks. It’s essential to possess the mental and physical endurance to persevere through difficult times. This trait, coupled with unwavering persistence, enables individuals to weather challenges and continue moving forward. In my own journey, of course there were moments of doubt and adversity, but I remained steadfast in my pursuit of excellence.
Whether facing rejection, struggle, or self-doubt, I embraced the belief that “this too shall pass” and pressed on with determination. This resilience proved invaluable in achieving my goals, whether in public speaking, writing my second book, or my life overall.
In summary, these three-character traits — willingness to learn, taking action despite fear, and endurance/persistence — have been instrumental in my success across various endeavors. By embodying these qualities, anyone can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and ultimately, realize their aspirations.
How can one tailor their communication style to different audiences or situations?
Understanding the audience’s avatar is paramount for effective communication. So, when preparing for a speaking engagement, it’s crucial to gather insights about the audience from the event planner. Asking questions such as goals for the speech, or the demographic breakdown, gender distribution, and the attendees’ professional backgrounds can provide invaluable information.
For instance, knowing whether the audience consists of professionals, students, or aspiring entrepreneurs allows speakers to tailor their content and delivery style accordingly. Professionals might appreciate more in-depth insights and practical advice from your relative experience, while students might benefit from relatable anecdotes and simplified explanations. Similarly, understanding the gender percentage can help speakers gauge the tone and language of their presentation to resonate with all attendees.
By leveraging this information, speakers can adjust their communication style to suit the preferences and expectations of the audience, ultimately enhancing engagement and effectiveness. Therefore, collaborating closely with event planners to gather audience insights is a crucial step in delivering impactful presentations.
How do you handle difficult or sensitive conversations while maintaining open and effective communication?
It’s often our own perspectives and emotional filters that make situations seem more challenging than they need to be. Let me share with you two practical approaches to navigate difficult conversations more effectively:
- Paying attention to your body’s reactions during tough conversations is crucial and often overlooked.
- How you breathe is extremely important, also your posture, can impact the effectiveness of your communication. By maintaining calm and controlled breathing, you can stay composed and articulate your thoughts more clearly. Bringing awareness and being mindful of your physiological responses helps you manage stress and convey your message with confidence.
2. Empathy is a powerful tool for fostering understanding and resolving conflicts. Genuinely put yourself in the other person’s shoes and see the situation from their perspective.
- Despite differing viewpoints, both individuals are valid in their feelings and opinions because they’re influenced by their unique experiences and beliefs. Respect that, and when you lead with empathy, you create a safe space for open dialogue. Taking it a step further and practicing vulnerability can deepen the connection and foster a safe environment for honest conversations to flourish.
In your experience, how does storytelling play a role in impactful speaking? Why do you think stories are effective in communication?
Storytelling is my favorite aspect of speaking. I challenge each of your readers to master the art of storytelling. In fact, it’s the first chapter in my book “Million Dollar Speaker: Speak with Confidence and Clarity.” Storytelling plays a pivotal role because it can effortlessly simplify complex ideas and facts into digestible pieces for anyone to grasp.
Stories are incredibly effective because, everything around us is a story. If we go back thousands of years, storytelling was the only way generations improved. They gathered around the fire as their leaders shared tales of their experiences.
Moreover, every song and movie we encounter tells a story. Even Instagram has a feature where you post your “story.” Our brains are wired to understand stories easily because they evoke emotions. And when emotions are engaged, information becomes more memorable.
What are your “5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective Communicator”?
1 . Becoming a masterful storyteller.
2 . Master the art of vocal variety.
3 . Understand the impact body language has on your message.
4 . Truly understand the structure of cohesive messaging.
5 . Be a relentless learner, get guidance, and keep practising over and over again.
How do you integrate non-verbal cues into your communication? Can you provide an example of its importance?
Nonverbal cues are crucial for impactful communication, and the best way to integrate them is by first, becoming aware of their importance. When speaking, be mindful that your gestures can significantly influence the message’s impact. Additionally, your vocal variety plays an instrumental role in powerful messaging. Emphasizing where necessary or whispering when appropriate can dramatically affect the message’s magnitude or range and evoke the right emotions.
How has digital communication changed the way you convey your messages? Are there any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered?
The landscape of communication has undergone a profound transformation. For instance, reading (through newspapers or books) was once the primary medium for conveying messages, while today, it’s about condensing ideas into bite-sized formats. From TEDTalks, averaging 18 minutes, to 60 second videos like Instagram reels and YouTube shorts, the challenge lies in shrinking your message while leaving the listener eager for more.
You must develop the ability to deliver concise yet compelling content in today’s communication landscape!
Public speaking is a common fear. What techniques or strategies do you recommend to manage and overcome stage fright?
The first one is never mentioned and often overlooked, but you know what- I’d be glad to say it; The first step, is taking the decision to conquer your fear of public speaking! Once you’ve committed to this, the rest becomes more manageable.
Next, be a sponge of knowledge. Understand the intricacies and strategies of effective communication. As you become more proficient in conveying your message, your fear naturally diminishes. After all, fear often stems from the unknown.
Finally, seek guidance. It’s surprising how many people shy away from seeking advice from those who have walked the same path before. Just as you’d ask a local for directions in an unfamiliar city, you’re new to or visiting, seeking guidance from experienced speakers can illuminate the fastest route to your destination. There’s no substitute for learning from those who have already achieved what you aspire to.
What additional resources do you recommend for individuals looking to improve communication skills?
I might be biased, but I highly recommend purchasing a copy of my book, ‘Million Dollar Speaker: Speak with Confidence and Clarity.’ I distilled all my experiences and filled it with exercises to kickstart your journey, along with a journal to track your progress as you embark on this transformative path. And I’m incredibly honored and grateful to have received endorsements from two million-dollar speakers who generate over one million dollars in annual speaking fees.
Additionally, make it a habit to study speakers whenever possible. For example, watch plenty of TED Talks and try watching some of them on mute to observe how speakers convey their messages using nonverbal cues.
Lastly, study books on public speaking. Some of my favorites include ‘Talk Like TED’ by Carmine Gallo, ‘TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking’ by Chris Anderson, and, ‘The Art of Public Speaking’ by Dale Carnegie.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Look, I am passionate about one idea, it’s my north star sort to speak, which is to inspire one million people to become better leaders through masterful public speaking!
I genuinely believe everyone can go from a terrified fearful incompetent speaker to someone who is masterful and influential. And everyone, I mean everyone, has a change the world speech in them. I really hope everybody attempts to awaken the voice in them!
How can our readers further follow you online?
My website is milliondollarspeaker.me
Instagram handle is @maherelusini — or https://www.instagram.com/maherelusini/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maherelusini/
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
Impactful Communication: Maher Elusini On 5 Essential Techniques for Becoming an Effective… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.