Written by: Dario Cucci, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Hey my name is Dario Cucci and here is my story.
Imagine, as a Keynote speaker, flying from Switzerland to London for a special event...
An event you’ve put your heart and soul into promoting, an event where your close friends are the organizers, and now, at the final hour, you may have to let them down...
Many people will try to be positive… “Just try your best, you’ll be great!” “Put on a big smile and everything will be ok…”
Great attitudes, but just one problem.
My situation occurred in an air bnb studio, on 21st April 2017 (the evening before the event, where I suffered a serious Bells Palsy attack and being able to put on “a big smile” (or any type of smile for that matter) was now physically impossible.
Before I continue, to those who don’t know, let me briefly explain. Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis. The most commonly affected muscles are the closure of your eye and half of your smile so you are unable to close your eye or smile on half of your face.
So, as I was tweaking my Presentation, at around 21:15 PM, I felt a cramp on the left side of my face, under the chin and going up all the way to my upper cheek, it was very intense, just like when one has a cramp in their legs, but I would say about 5 times more intense, very painful.
That pain from the cramp lasted about 10 ‒ 20 seconds, then, suddenly, it disappeared and the left side of my face, including the mouth area went “Numb”.
We as humans take our ability to smile as something that is normal, it’s really a miracle to have that ability and have a broad smile, because it can influence people in such a positive way, cheer them up, make them laugh.
When one side of your Face can not move because of a disease that prevents that from happening, it is devastating. “How can I go on stage for such an important event when the audience can’t clearly understand my speech… When I can’t even smile at them?” This thought kept me up all night, knots twisting in my stomach at the thought of not being able to give my all to my audience and for my friends organizing. When I woke, after a very disturbed sleep, I knew the option was there to call my friend Michelle, explain what had happened and was sure she would understand. But it didn’t feel right. I have had this type of attack before. Was I to live my life in fear of this happening to me? Or could I perhaps use this as a beacon of hope, a way to raise awareness to this disease that is not well-known to the general public? I chose the latter… I still remember going out on stage that day. There was no predetermined script, there was no PowerPoint.
I took a deep breath and went on that stage authentically and honestly. I opened myself up to my audience and explained to them what had happened, that they may need to bear with me, to let me know if they couldn’t understand some of what I was conveying to them.
Because professional speaking isn’t about you, the speaker. It’s about the audience.
The reason so many people are terrified of speaking to groups (more afraid than of death… That’s a fact!) is because they are too focused on their own feelings, they get in their own way. If you open yourself fully to your audience, express your truth and constantly ask the question “how can I serve them?” then you can focus on simply enjoying the experience. The audience were fantastic. They stayed with me the whole time. I engaged them with humour, truth and explained the importance of communication, mindset and leadership. They could see I “walked my talk”. A particular member of the audience that day became a long term client who remains my friend to this day and he openly admitted my strength to still go on stage inspired him to take action. My bells-palsy is 95% recovered. I am grateful for my returning smile. I no longer take it for granted and the positive impact something so simple can have on people.
So… If you are looking for help with your business, my coaching can help you overcome the obstacles you face.
My clients tell me that, although my credentials speak for themselves, the years of success as a coach and business leader… It is my empathy, warmth and willingness to give all of myself that they hold dear to their heart in their journey of business growth with me. That, for me, is the biggest compliment I could receive...
So, next time you see me, come up to me with your big smile and say hello!
Dario Cucci, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dario Cucci, is an International Speaker, Bestselling Author, and Holistic Business & Sales to the Professionals. He discovered that many Professionals, Experts & Coaches out there struggle to get repeat business, due to their Mindset, Communication Skills & Business Strategies in place, to support their growth.
His career in Sales started within the Self Development & Events industry over 20 Years ago, back in Australia when he worked with the Ton Robbins Team as a Sales Executive, based on commission-only income. During his first year working with them, he generated over 1 Million additional Sales Revenue for the Company.
7 years ago he started his own Company “Entrepreneur Growth Ltd” that focuses on providing Training & Coaching, with a unique approach to help them shift their Mindset, improve their communication skills, customer care structure & sales strategies, to help small Business Owners, breakthrough their limitations, boost sales & build a stellar public reputation with their customer care service.
