“It’s never easy, but it’s always helpful.” I said this last week to a coaching client who has a big presentation coming up. We’d gone through his material and slides together, but when I suggested he stand up and try it out, he hesitated. Ultimately, he did — and he was grateful. SO MUCH CHANGED. …
How to accelerate your prep before your next presentation Read More »
If you want your message to land, it’s essential to use relatable language, making the obscure become vivid, like a polaroid developing. The opposite often sounds like this: “A uniform platform of excellence.” This was in fact a phrase one of my clients uttered years ago as he was reviewing his planned remarks for the …
Last year, I was invited to present to 3,000 business owners from around the world. And then this happened. Events don’t always go according to plan, so having a Plan B— and a Plan C—is a must. In my Rock The Room® Performance System, PREPARATION is the least sexy module. But it’s absolutely essential. …
The stories we tell influence our culture. And the stories we hear affect how we see the world around us. Whether it’s with your family, team, organization, clients or company— what stories are you sharing? Do they express the values with which you most want to align? Stories have the power to communicate our beliefs, …
The Stories You Tell Influence the Culture You Have Read More »
OTHERWORLDLY. STUNNING. INSPIRING. GENEROUS. and VISIONARY. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. It’s taken me some time to process what I witnessed last week on Sept 19, 2026 in Los Angeles. As a few of you know, I was fortunate to attend the opening party for this new jaw-dropping landmark museum experience which George Lucas …
Being a Visionary: Breaking the Bounds of What’s been Done Before Read More »
I recently listened to an early interview with Howard Schultz, (Founder & Chairman Emeritus of Starbucks) in which he said, “Growth covers up mistakes” and “success breeds hubris.” This really struck me. No doubt, it’s normal to be on high alert when the going gets tough… and less so when the sailing is smooth. How …
One of the most common topics coming up for my 1:1 coaching clients and my keynote clients is, of course, AI… and specifically, how to manage work environments that are changing at warp speed. Many of my clients are at the leading edge, and it’s head-spinning to hear their predictions. But while AI systems and …
“When does the coaching not work?” an executive client recently asked me. We were sitting in a conference room for our initial strategy planning session at the start of a 1:1 Rock The Room® VIP coaching series. He was curious how not to get in his own way. It was an excellent question. My answer: …
Hiring An Expert Coach? Mistakes to Avoid So You Can Accelerate Your Growth Read More »
I’m sure you know them— those people who “pounce” on you while you’re talking. Here’s how it works: the moment you’re done speaking (or even the moment you pause), they “pounce” in with whatever it is they want to say (or ask), often unrelated to the topic you were just addressing. They don’t quite …
For over 20 years, I’ve been teaching this 3-Part Framework to help my clients improve and influence the outcome of any interaction. I shared it last week with three top executives at a leading investment firm who communicate internally with their teams and externally to investors; I shared it yesterday with a family member who …
KDF: A 3-Part Framework to Influence the Outcome of Any Interaction Read More »
