“You’ve wasted two words.” My Stanford University poetry professor, W.S. Di Piero, glanced up at me. The poem I’d submitted included a line about how, into the musician’s hat, I tossed a “small, hard coin.” Di Piero explained: “A coin is small and it is hard, so you’ve wasted two words.” He was 100% right. …
I’ve been working 1:1 with a variety of clients lately helping them craft high-stakes communications. For each, it’s essential that they express their perspective vs. deliver a presentation designed by someone else. As I say to them, “You are the CEO for a reason.” There’s a unique view that one has at (and from) the …
A personal post here to acknowledge how –in this changing and uncertain world– time with close friends, family and colleagues makes all the difference. On either side of recent client projects & events, I was fortunate enough to have the time to bracket in meals, mountain hikes, and ocean walks with people I adore–– those …
The community you curate: close friends, family & colleagues Read More »
“How you show up as a human being on the stage of your life will have a direct impact on the quality of your work, your career, and your bottom line.” These are words I speak on stage often…. Over the last few weeks, for various client events in Philadelphia (pics above) Deer Valley and …
Disruption. Shifting trends. Change. These are frequent topic areas for many of my clients, and the concept I’m sharing here from show business —with credit to Reese Witherspoon— provides a valuable point of reference for business. This 90-sec. video clip from a recent keynote offers a few insights. Sometimes it’s easier to recognize a …
This week brought me to three different cities for keynotes & executive-level coaching. It occurred to me during this trip just how much of my time (and in fact all of our time) is what I call “in-between time” and it got me thinking about how we move through it. Here’s a little video …
Over the last few weeks I’ve implemented this simple communication approach, which is incredibly effective and which I thought I’d share here. When someone asks you a question that seems a bit odd or off, or one where the answer may be difficult for you to provide for whatever reason, consider simply responding with, “What’s …
“Uniform platform of excellence.” This was literally the phrase an executive uttered as he was working on his presentation. Me: “What does that mean?” Him: “Everyone from the new hire to our CEO will go through this training.” Me: “Say that.” I call this The Bar Test. Ask yourself, “What would I say in a …
The Bar Test: How not to sound phony or insecure Read More »
“There’s no great art in confusing the reader.” —Isaac Bashevis Singer. This is one of my all-time favorite quotes. It’s one I learned during my years at Stanford University when I was studying writing and literature. And it’s a quote I still reference today when working with leaders, entrepreneurs and teams who are crafting their …
“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 …
A Trap in Seeking Input on Your Communications Strategy Read More »
