As coronavirus seeps into every nook and cranny of our lives, America is getting a master class in change management. One of the biggest changes I’ve seen in my profession is clients’ jumping off stages and onto video screens. Since social distancing restrictions forbid us from interacting in person, some companies have no choice but… read more

  Imagine you’re pouring an ice-cold glass of water on a blazing hot summer day. As you watch the freshly squeezed lemons dance around the top of the pitcher, the water in your glass reaches the top. Fully aware of what’s happening, you continue to pour until water is spilling all over the countertop and… read more

Depending on your perspective, I’ve been fortunate or insane enough to have been given the opportunity to deliver hundreds of presentations to audiences large and small. I’m often asked by my coaching clients and training participants, “what is the most difficult speech you’ve ever delivered?” Of course, those particular speeches stand apart from all the… read more

You are sitting front row center in a large hotel ballroom filled with 1500 people. Everyone has gathered to learn about what is being touted as a medical miracle . . . a new pill that whittles you down to your desired weight in 24 hours or less. (I know. I know. Stay with me.)… read more

A few days ago, I had the good fortune to have afternoon tea with Jon, a legendary speaker who was instrumental in helping me enter the field. Although I’m far from the afternoon tea type, his sage advice was worth suffering through every swallow. We crisscrossed every speaking topic under the sun, from content to… read more

Let me begin by assuring you that the title of this article is not meant to challenge or double-dog dare you in the way you might think. In fact, if you look closely at the last word in the title, you’ll see that I’m actually just wishing you a piece of timber. This writing is… read more

  If you’re anything like most people, when you hear the word, “autopsy”, your thoughts immediately turn morbid. If you don’t mind removing your grim reaper hat for just a moment, you might be surprised to learn that autopsy, in the broader sense, means an analysis of something after it has been completed. Of course,… read more

  For the last five years, like clockwork, I’ve received a call from my longtime client, Rodney, who engages me once a year to help him prepare for his company’s annual holiday party. Rodney is super smart, strategic and a little goofy, which he freely admits. Traditionally, during his holiday speech, he would thank everyone… read more

One of the many joys of my work as a speech coach is my great relationships with clients, one of whom is Steve. (I’m intentionally omitting Steve’s last name for reasons that will soon become obvious.) Steve is a busy CEO of a $15 million-dollar company with about 150 employees. One of the reasons Steve… read more