May 25, 2009
I admit it. I got in trouble with ODFW (Or. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife) this weekend. And in front of my own kids no less!
It was a gorgeous day, so we packed the boys into the car with water and otter pops and hit the road. We headed for a beautiful fish hatchery about 40 minutes away. When we got there we found a fly fishing clinic going on. Great Big Fish in a large pond with newbie fisherfolk intently, vigorously and joyfully flailing the water.
After watching this show for a bit, I got curious. “Just what would it take to entice one of these big, dumb monsters (the fish, that is)?” A short while later…
“You can’t fish here!”
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May 12, 2009
This past week I was asked a very good…no…I was asked a transformational question, one which forced me to give considerable thought to a core belief. Happily, the more I thought about it the more certain of this belief I became. For those of you who are unaware, my work is helping individuals and organizations uncover and develop the stories which identify who they are at their very best. Having worked through this process they are then able to become the very best versions of themselves – a goal to which each of us should aspire!
The question revolved around the topic of authenticity. I have publicly stated that the language of commerce has changed. It is no longer driven by discussions of features and benefits. In this new commerce, the language is ‘authenticity.’ Today we are required to share who we are at a deeper level than we have known in decades. It is my belief that the stories which illustrate us as professionals are the best tools we have to communicate our authentic selves.
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May 5, 2009
The moment arrives. You begin to speak. Within minutes you notice a few audience members drifting away. A couple are mezmerized by their cell phones, a few are diligently making doodles on your handout and several are giving significant consideration to the cobwebs on the ceiling. “What is going on?” You think back on your preparation…
- The research is sound.
- Your slides are just right.
- The topic is pertinent to the audience.
- You’ve given some thought to your voice, hands and posture.
- You even had a good writer check your speech for structure and clarity.
Where did it all go wrong?
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