Creating Golden Buzzer Moments

How Do You Help Leaders Experience Golden Buzzer Moments?

One of my guilty pleasures? Watching auditions on American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and The Voice. I love it. Always have. There’s something powerful about watching ordinary people step onto a stage, pour their hearts out, and get a shot at something they’ve dreamed of their entire lives.

And let’s be honest—there’s nothing more emotional, more inspiring, than the Golden Buzzer moment. 🎉 The gold confetti rains down, the crowd erupts, and at least two judges are crying. It’s pure magic.

But here’s the thing…

That moment isn’t just about talent. It’s about someone being seen, being recognized, and having their potential validated. It’s about a judge saying, I see something special in you. Keep going. Don’t stop now. The world needs what you have to offer.

Leadership is About Creating Golden Buzzer Moments

As leaders, we should be in the business of creating Golden Buzzer moments for others. Because the truth is, most people never experience that level of encouragement, validation, or belief in their potential.

Think about it:

• How often do we stop to truly see the people we lead?
• How often do we take time to recognize their potential, not just their performance?
• How often do we call out greatness in someone before they even see it in themselves?

Leadership isn’t just about getting results, meeting quotas, or hitting goals. It’s about people. And great leaders don’t just manage people—they empower them to reach their full potential. They create moments that change the trajectory of someone’s career, confidence, and leadership journey.

So, how do we do it? How do we, as leaders, create Golden Buzzer moments for the people we lead?

1. Speak Potential Into People

Simon Cowell, love him or hate him, has a gift for spotting talent before the world sees it. He’ll watch a nervous contestant walk on stage, listen to their shaky first note, and before they even finish their song, he’s already calling out their potential.

As leaders, we need to do the same for our teams.

Most people don’t realize their own potential. They need someone to say:
➡ I see something in you that you don’t see yet.
➡ You’re capable of more than you think.
➡ You have what it takes—now let’s build on it.

A simple sentence from you might be the exact moment that changes someone’s trajectory.

Try this: Take five minutes today to send a text, write an email, or pull someone aside and tell them what you see in them. It might feel small to you, but to them? It could be the Golden Buzzer moment they’ve been waiting for.

2. Create Opportunities for People to Shine

Most of the contestants on those talent shows have been singing in their bedrooms or small-town coffee shops for years. They’ve been preparing, waiting for their shot.

The Golden Buzzer moment happens when someone gives them the stage they never thought they’d get.

As leaders, we need to give people opportunities to step into their greatness. That might mean:
✅ Inviting them to lead a project for the first time
✅ Letting them present in a meeting they’d normally sit out
✅ Giving them a shot at something outside their comfort zone

People grow when they’re stretched, but they won’t always step up unless someone pushes them forward and says, You’re ready for this.

Try this: Look around at your team. Who’s ready for more but hasn’t stepped up yet? Who’s playing small because they don’t realize they’re ready? Give them a chance to shine.

3. Celebrate Their Wins—Big and Small

The Golden Buzzer moment isn’t just about recognizing talent—it’s about celebrating it.

People need encouragement and acknowledgment more than we realize. And the truth is, most people only get noticed when they mess up.

But when we celebrate wins—big and small—we create a culture where people feel valued, seen, and motivated to keep going.

That could look like:
🎉 Publicly recognizing a team member’s hard work in a meeting
🎉 Sending a voice memo or video message thanking them for their effort
🎉 Giving a meaningful reward when someone reaches a big milestone

People will run through walls for a leader who sees them, believes in them, and celebrates them.

Try this: This week, intentionally celebrate someone’s win. It doesn’t have to be a big one—just something that lets them know you see them and you appreciate them.

4. Help People Overcome Their Self-Doubt

A powerful moment on talent shows is when a contestant walks on stage full of doubt. Maybe they’ve been told they’re not good enough. Maybe they don’t believe in themselves.

But then, they sing. The judges see something in them. And suddenly, their entire belief system shifts.

As leaders, we need to help our people push past their self-doubt. We need to be the voice that says:

🛑 You don’t have to be perfect—just start.
🛑 Stop waiting until you feel ready—step out now.
🛑 You’re better than you think. Keep going.

Most people hold themselves back because they’re afraid to fail. But when a leader stands in their corner, they find the courage to step forward anyway.

Try this: If someone on your team is hesitating or second-guessing themselves, be the voice of belief they need. Push them forward, and watch them rise.

5. Lead with Encouragement, Not Just Expectation

One of the reasons people break down in tears when they get the Golden Buzzer? It’s because someone finally believes in them.

Too many leaders lead with expectation instead of encouragement.

Yes, we want high performance. Yes, we want people to grow. But the leaders who truly inspire change are the ones who encourage more than they criticize.

People don’t just need correction—they need confidence. And it’s our job as leaders to give it to them.

Try this: Make sure your leadership balances expectation with encouragement. If you challenge someone, also encourage them in the process.

Your Leadership Can Change Lives

Golden Buzzer moments aren’t just for talent shows. They happen in offices, in teams, in businesses, and in everyday leadership.

Someone on your team is waiting for their moment. Waiting to be seen. Waiting for a leader to believe in them, challenge them, and give them a shot.

Be the leader who creates that moment.

And if you’ve had a Golden Buzzer moment in your own life, when someone saw something in you before you saw it yourself, drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear your story.

By Jason Raitz - CEO, Speak with People  With over 25 years of experience, Jason has spoken from stages across the country, inspiring and motivating his audiences with stories, laughter, and practical tools to succeed. Book Jason for your next conference or workshop.