Speaking tips blog
Communication matters. What are you saying?
Winning and Success
“Second place is the first loser.” – Dale Earnhardt “If you ain’t first, you’re last” – Ricky Bobby, Talladega Nights “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” -- “Red” Sanders, UCLA Football coach, 1930s. With quotes like those...
Catchy
You’ve got a lot to celebrate this week! May the Fourth be With You (Star Wars Day, followed shortly by Revenge of the Sixth) and Cinco de Mayo(interestingly, more popular in the US than Mexico). While I will leave the merits of celebrating – and how – to the...
Funerals
It’s likely a statistical blip. Maybe it’s the phase of the moon. But after years of going without, I’ve been to four funerals in the past six weeks and have three more coming in the next few days/weeks. With one notable exception, these are “expected” deaths;...
Practice Makes…
Finish this sentence. Practice makes… I learned from the world of sports that “perfect” is not the right answer. Just because you put in the time practicing does not guarantee that you’ll get good at something. Shooting baskets for hours may make you...
Being Memorable
Years ago I coached a Fortune 500 executive on her quarterly Town Hall meetings for her division. She wanted something fresh. “It feels like I say the same thing every quarter.” When I inquired further, she really was saying the same thing most every month but did...
Opening Well
I love the New Year. It’s a chance to reflect on the past. To revel in the present and enjoy some time off with those we love. But it’s also a chance to start anew. Hang a new calendar. Clean up the office. Turn the page. Promise to do better. Plan for the future....
What’s Your Gift?
As we careen towards year end, most of us will participate in the traditions of giving and receiving gifts. No matter what metaphor we use around gifts or what they represent, it’s no mystery that most people enjoy receiving gifts. It’s a wonderful metaphor...
The Most Important Thing
On the first day of my son’s Tee Ball practice, dads and coaches shouted the immovable rule of baseball to anyone who would listen: “Keep your eye on the ball!” It’s good advice for baseball players (and fans). It’s good enough advice that it’s still given by...
A Happy Ending
Don’t look at the calendar. It’s October. October!? Where did the time go? For many of us, October means the fourth quarter is here. Quotas. The rush is on. Throw in holidays, the changing weather, shorter days (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere), the...
Stage Presence
About the time you are reading this, I’ll be involved in a new project that includes being the emcee/host for a series of live seminars. This involves weaving video, introductions, live panelists, a little content, and audience participation into a cohesive hour on...
Making Your Audience Remember – Even After You’re Gone
In a few short weeks, a day I’ve long known was coming will be upon me. My youngest – my baby – the beloved daughter we call Sweet Pea – will leave to start the next chapter of her life. Rest assured I am as proud as a daddy can be. She has excelled at what...
Independence Day – Going All In
In America, we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day. That’s the day fifty-six rebels signed a document that meant they either fought and won or lost everything they had. Maybe a more proper label would be “All In Day”. No more wishing. No more hoping. No more...
