“You can’t quit on a bad day.” Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth. I’m re-reading the best-selling book, Grit. The quote above is a part of the author’s Hard Thing Rules. It reminded me of when my son David was twelve years old. He was the starting fullback for the Aurora Youth League…
Have you ever turned yourself down before asking for something that you really wanted? For example, you tapped-out before asking for a job, promotion, raise, or a date? In other words, you said “no” before they said “no.” You took yourself out of the game. In the words of the Hall of Fame speaker, Patricia Fripp,”The…
Click play below to listen in! I was recently interviewed by Tim Shurr! During this mesmerizing conversation, I share proven leadership and communication formulas for building powerful alliances and mergers in high-stakes situations!
Early in my career I worked for a major computer company. Before we were unleashed on the world, we had to go through the typical technical and sales presentation training. Regardless, if you were prepared or not, you had to give your presentation to the instructor and your peers at the end of your training.…
“There is no room for the dilettante in this business” Are you a professional, an amateur, or a dilettante? Worse than an amateur is a dilettante. A dilettante is defined as a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts (speaking), without real commitment or knowledge. Synonyms: non-professional, non-specialist, layman, layperson, dilly-dallier.…
What can the moviemaker, Pixar, teach you to make your next story a box office hit? Pixar Animation Studios has created some of the most magical, memorable, and mesmerizing movies of all time. For example, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, and Up! all have worldwide gross revenues in excess of $725 million each. What, you ask…
29-year old, Shurooq Al Banna, is the first Arab to compete in the finals of the Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking contest. She is a Master of Strategic Marketing graduate from the University of Wollongong in Dubai. Her prize-winning speech, Finding the Pearl, touched on the importance of looking past people’s external appearances to find…
How can Benjamin Franklin and Lil Wayne teach you how to find your voice and be an outstanding presenter? There are no cover bands in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Comparably, there are no “cover speakers” in the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame. A “cover speaker” is a speaker who uses other people’s…
This week, I am honored to present an interview with nationally acclaimed leadership and communication expert, Christie Ward, Leadership Facilitator and Principal of the Impact Institute™. Since founding The Impact Institute in 1999, Christie has focused on communication, leadership and team-building topics that result in more productive teams and effective leadership. She is known for…
How would you like to inspire your next audience like your favorite clergyman, coach, or keynote speaker? Well you can with my latest lesson: The Secret of the inspirational Speech – From Descriptive to Generative It is said that the inspirational speech is the highest form or oratory. It ranges from a clergyman delivering a…