Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But it's not the most effective form of communication! Too often I hear (or read) folks who seem to be "channeling" a way of speaking, whether that of an individual or an industry. And channeling someone else's ideas or thought patterns will never change the world.
We've all admired writers, speakers, and storytellers whose distinct personal style made a real impact on both their audience and their material. It's easy to fall into mimicry, imagining that the mannerisms that work so well for them will surely benefit our own message. Not so! Like an accomplished musician, skillful communicators can credit many different influences to their style, but influence will only get you so far.
Be fresh. Be genuine. Figure out what you have to say, believe in it with everything you have, and then send it out there. You and your audience will both reap the rewards.
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