The Power of Story: Jesse Cruz On Becoming a Stronger Leader Through Speaking

Jesse Cruz

Jesse Cruz is a professional speaker, bestselling author, and speaker coach for leaders. He helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses by mastering communication, developing their story, and speaking effectively from the stage. After experiencing personal loss and finding healing through storytelling, Jesse dedicated his career to helping others communicate with authenticity, purpose, and impact. He now coaches leaders on how to blend personal story with professional expertise to build trust, increase visibility, and powerfully serve their audience.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[01:00] How Jesse became a speaker and coach.
[01:50] Why storytelling matters for leaders.
[02:40] How Jesse’s personal story shaped his mission.
[04:15] Helping leaders share vulnerable stories safely.
[05:00] The essential elements of a well-structured story.
[06:30] Why blending story and expertise creates the strongest presentations.
[07:10] What speakers should avoid when showcasing their expertise.
[08:10] How to simplify messages for greater impact.
[09:00] Creating a memorable three-step process for your talk.
[11:20] Using social proof and client success stories on stage.
[12:00] When entrepreneurs should start speaking on stages.
[12:40] Why healing before sharing your story is important.

In this episode:

Speaking on stages is one of the fastest ways for leaders to build trust, expand visibility, and grow their business. Yet many entrepreneurs overlook speaking as a strategic tool for connection and credibility.

In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit interviews Jesse Cruz about how storytelling and speaking can strengthen leadership and accelerate business development. Jesse shares the emotional story that led him to speak, and he explains why vulnerability, when shared at the right time, can be a bridge to a deeper connection with his audience.

He also outlines the core elements of effective storytelling, the importance of simple language, how to build a clear three-step framework for any presentation, and how blending personal story with professional expertise leads to stronger trust and higher engagement. Jesse discusses when entrepreneurs should start speaking, how to avoid “trauma dumping,” and why preparation is essential for confidence on stage.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

“A well-told story is one of the greatest ways to build trust with your audience.”
“You do not have to share the most painful part of your story first. Start where you feel ready.”
“When you use long, complicated words on stage, you make less impact.”
“The best speakers blend their personal story with their expertise.”
“A simple three-step process makes your message memorable and easy to apply.”
“Heal before you share. Do not use the stage to process your pain.”

Action Steps:

Identify a personal story or challenge that your audience can connect with.
Share only the parts of your story that you have fully healed from.
Avoid industry jargon and simplify your message for clarity.
Build a three-step process or framework that showcases your expertise.
Add social proof by sharing real client success stories.
Practice your talk with guidance from a coach to gain confidence.
Begin speaking on stages as early as possible to build visibility and credibility

Sponsor for this episode:

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