“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.