Sometimes, even if you’re a lovely person, even if you have best of intentions, things go awry. Communicating helps you create great things. But when communication breaks down, the way out can seem impossible to find. Kerry Patterson, Joseph … [Read more...] about What to do when things get sticky
The ‘Seven Habits’ approach to delegation
You know that whatever your professional goals, you can’t achieve them alone. You need a team. The definition of ‘scalable’ in a human is the ability to successfully find, delegate to and manage great teams. Here’s Stephen Covey’s exceptionally … [Read more...] about The ‘Seven Habits’ approach to delegation
Innovation occurs elsewhere
Joy's law, attributed to Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, is this: "No matter who you are, most of the smartest people work for someone else.” The short version is more elegant: “Innovation occurs elsewhere.” There are great people making … [Read more...] about Innovation occurs elsewhere
The power of the Spring
Pablo Neruda said, “You can pick all the flowers, but you can’t stop the Spring.” Maybe it’s seeing all the flowers of our glorious San Francisco spring after a super rainy winter that keeps putting this quote in my mind. Maybe it’s that I keep … [Read more...] about The power of the Spring
Find your crescendo
In last week’s post we talked about the danger of artificially choreographed presentation technique. Your audience hopes to connect to and learn from the real you. You hope you’ll convert them to your big idea when you’re on stage. What we’re after … [Read more...] about Find your crescendo
Too much technique?
Lots of presentation coaches focus on things like assertive hand gestures, frequency of eye contact, commanding tone of voice, etc., as if learning a choreographed routine will make you a brilliant communicator. How much you do or don’t extend … [Read more...] about Too much technique?
The nine virtues of innovative leaders
The Innovators Way remains one of my favorite books when I’m working with an innovator scaling up to become a great leader and evangelist. If you’re courageous enough to take on changing the world you are a person who demands a lot of yourself. … [Read more...] about The nine virtues of innovative leaders
What to say, how to say it, why to say it
I always say that I “pair the principles and practices of executive coaching with 30 years in communications – a rare and powerful combination.” But what does that mean? Well, in helping innovators become great communicators I do basically three … [Read more...] about What to say, how to say it, why to say it
The River of Money
Thirty years in tech PR taught me a few essential truths. The first is that you CEOs are desperate to get glamorous, expansive coverage in the business press. A big Fortune or Forbes profile is the most magnificent and satisfying reward for years of … [Read more...] about The River of Money
Say it artfully!
You know your message is the most important part of being a great communicator. How can you make your message not just useful but artful too? How can you grab your audience’s hearts as well as their minds? Use the magic that’s already out there. Tell … [Read more...] about Say it artfully!
