EN - ARTICLE - BEING REAL

by Natalie Azcona 5 min read · Apr 9, 2024

Is there anything harder than being natural?

Back in 2005, Steve Jobs opened his now-legendary Stanford commencement speech with the line:

“I am honored to be with you today at one of the finest universities in the world. Truth be told, I never graduated from college.”

That ironic confession kicked off one of the most replayed motivational speeches of all time — and if you haven’t seen it yet, you should.

The phrase “I never graduated” was bold, raw, and disarmingly honest, especially in front of a graduating class. It made Jobs seem vulnerable and relatable, like someone who had once faced the same barriers we all do when chasing big goals.

By the time he passed away, Jobs ranked 110th among the world’s richest people. His speech has since been viewed over 40 million times, yet most of those viewers will never come close to his level of success.

So yes, Steve Jobs was the ultimate “influencer” before influencers existed. But instead of focusing on him, let’s look at why that speech worked, and how you can use the same tools in your own communication.

Here are four key ingredients worth stealing:

1. It’s natural. It’s real.

Jobs didn’t try to sound sophisticated or intellectual. His language was simple, direct, conversational, the kind of tone you’d use when talking to a friend.

Too often, we dress up our words to sound “smarter” or “more professional,” but the truth is, plain language connects with everyone, from a CEO to someone stacking shelves at the grocery store.

Natural speech builds trust and confidence. It can communicate authority and humility at the same time. Even when it edges on being blunt or imperfect, that honesty is what makes it powerful.

2. It’s inspiring — but in a grounded way.

What makes something truly inspiring? It’s not the buzzwords, it’s the feeling of possibility that comes from effort and authenticity.

Jobs’ message was simple: work hard, follow your curiosity, and stay patient. These are universal ideas we’ve all heard a thousand times, but they still hit home because they tap into something deep, the hope for a better ending.

A story of struggle followed by success will always stick. There’s nothing more addictive than a happy ending, and nothing more shareable than a story of perseverance.

3. It tells real stories.

Storytelling has been the most effective way to communicate since humans painted on cave walls. It’s how we learn, remember, and connect.

Jobs’ stories, about being adopted, dropping out, getting fired from Apple, all share a common thread: humility turned into growth. He exposes weakness but does it from a place of strength.

Telling your own story honestly, even the hard parts, makes people listen. Especially when it’s told from the other side of the struggle.

4. It’s simple and structured.

Simplicity always wins.

Jobs said it upfront: “I only have three stories to tell you.” Right away, he sets expectations, saves you time, and earns your focus.

Every word counts. Every example is deliberate. He uses the exact amount of language needed to make an impact, no fluff, no filler.

In many contexts, you might feel pressure to hide your flaws or polish your image to fit in. But authenticity, carefully chosen and purposefully revealed, is what makes people trust you.

Jobs let us see “the bad stuff” (or at least the version he wanted us to see) because it made his message believable. It showed humanity behind the genius.

Being real is a kind of formula:

Natural language + Confident vulnerability + A bit of boldness

People who come across as naturally authentic often break unspoken rules, they speak freely, take risks, and don’t filter themselves too much. Combine that with intelligence and clarity, and you have the essence of leadership.

We often think we need to sound “smart” to impress. But in reality, the most powerful messages are those built on simplicity and honesty.

The right words aren’t the fanciest ones, they’re the ones that feel true.

Being real makes your message (and your brand) not just memorable, but human.