What’s the difference between getting yawns and really nailing it? I am especially proud of a long-time client who has chosen to go where others in her field have never gone, as the newly departed and beloved Mr. Spock might have said. She could have taken the...

The directions by the workshop leader seemed simple: “Share the story of how you started your business or why you chose the profession you did.”   To my surprise, the stunningly beautiful young lady I was paired with immediately paled and grew frustrated,...

Part of why some of us dread meetings within our company or nonprofit organization is because they often force us to do “public speaking.” We are called upon – or expected – to say something of value.  I believe everyone who goes to a meeting needs to be ready to...

I was doing a late afternoon consultation with a client in Colombia recently and hadsuccessfully tested the online software that morning with no issues. At first, after just a few hiccups, everything seemed fine. About 10 minutes into a two-hour session, my client...

To prepare myself for speaking engagements—especially when I’m doing a new presentation for the first time—I activate a few practices that have helped me over the years. The right scents. In the shower, I put on a lavender scented body lotion, which seems to calm my...

When you walk into an office, are you greeted in a friendly manner or made to feel as though you’re interrupting something more important? How do people answer the phone when you call? Do you get a returned call in a reasonable time? While a certain amount of stress...

  I’ve seen all kinds of extremes in working with business and community leaders over the past two plus decades. You’ve probably experienced some of these types – and may even be one yourself! In the first group are the outstanding speakers but terrible leaders. They...

When 17-year-old Wachira Laonipon – better known as Mint – delivered her farewell speech as a Rotary Exchange Student recently, the room was filled with tears,laughter and admiration for this remarkably brave young visitor from Thailand.   “Imagine if you had to...

If you travel to Europe, in many countries, the tip for the server is built into your bill for dinner and into the cost of an excursion, for your tour guide. You’re usually not expected to pay anything extra. When visitors come to the US for the first time from...