“Should I start with this story?”
“Should I open with that statement?”
Twice this last week,
new Rock The Room® clients
eager for input have asked
me these types of questions.
The truth is, if I’m just meeting with them,
it’s too early to say.
The full landscape of their content,
upcoming communication opportunity,
and intended outcomes
all need to be carefully considered.
While it’s tempting to fall into
The Quick Fix Trap,
(and while it’s tempting
for many consultants to fall in as well)
it’s strategically and tactically unwise.
Shrewd, effective guidance requires
first understanding the situation
and asking specific questions
to shed light on key perspectives & variables
which the individual may not have
yet considered, but which ultimately
affect everything.
Risk Forward & Rock On,
P.S. Photo here is a throwback from 12 years ago (!) working with a Fortune 50 executive for a large-scale arena event. At this point in the coaching process–the “Delivery” phase–we had been working together for weeks and had the entire narrative, context and structure of his presentation well-orchestrated and prepped.
