My brother, the legendary guitarist Robert Fripp, wisely says, “Never be afraid to let go of a good thing.”
Celebrating GGBC: A Gem of San Francisco History
Since its founding in 1946, the Golden Gate Breakfast Club (GGBC) has been a vibrant part of San Francisco’s history. It was born post-World War II, when communities were eager to rebuild, reconnect, and find purpose. Over the decades, GGBC became a unique space for camaraderie, creativity, and fellowship.
Read More...Imagine you have just thirty seconds to transform a room of strangers into a captivated audience that will hold on to your every word.
This is your moment to make a powerful first impression in any presentation—whether it’s a high-stakes sales presentation to win a training contract, an educational seminar, or a keynote speech to your ideal audience.
I believe your presentation’s opening needs to arouse interest in your subject.
At the beginning of a speech, presentation, seminar, client meeting, report to senior management, sales presentation, or any presentation you deliver, you need to arouse interest in the subject. After all, we stand in the rain to watch a movie. Would you stand in the rain to listen to your presentation? You have thirty seconds to command the attention of your audience immediately. Please don’t waste it.
Specific speech openings captivate, mystify, and create an emotional bond that keeps an audience riveted to the speaker’s words.
Read More...Recently, I received a call from a 90-year-old woman who said, “I bought Chicken Soup for the Soul when it first came out. My children and grandchildren still read it. I wanted you to know that three generations like your story.” Like many of the stories that Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield collected from their friends, these were profound in their simplicity.
My short, simple story was told to me decades ago while jogging with my friend Bobby Lewis in Oklahoma City. I would list it under Honesty, Ethics, and Parenting.
My friend and proud father, Bobby Lewis, took his two little boys to play miniature golf. He asked the attendant, “How much is it to get in?” He replied, “It’s three dollars for you and any kid over six. They get in free if they’re six or younger.”
Bobby said, “Well, Mikey’s three and Jimmy’s seven, so I owe you $6.00.” The attendant looked surprised. “Hey, mister, do you like throwing your money away? You could have told me the big one was only six and saved three bucks. I wouldn’t have known the difference.”
Read More...Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward…as I remember them.
Navigating the glittering world of Hollywood, it’s easy to be dazzled by the spotlight. Yet, some stars shine brightly on and off the screen, teaching us invaluable life lessons. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were such luminaries, exemplifying kindness, authenticity, and the importance of setting one’s values.
A Magnetic Presence
At 23, I entered the pioneering world of men’s hairstyling, working for Jay Sebring, a stylist to the stars. I vividly recall answering the phone to hear Steve McQueen’s voice asking, “Can Jay come race with me tomorrow?”
During the grand opening of our salon, the star-studded event included Jay’s friends and clients Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. When Paul walked in the door, it appeared as if he shone. Paul Newman had a presence so captivating it seemed to light up the room—his charisma was palpable, a true lesson in personal magnetism.
Read More...Lessons from Hollywood (The first in a series)
Sir Michael Caine, a fellow Brit and iconic movie star, spoke a profound truth: “To be a movie star, you must invent yourself.” This statement echoes through the halls of Hollywood and beyond, demonstrated by legendary figures like Cher, Madonna, and Cary Grant. They crafted personas that captivated audiences worldwide—much like you and I strive to script our lives. I feel I have reinvented the early me. This proves the concept is not reserved for celebrities.
The Act of Creation
Read More...From a young girl who loved to work in my father’s office during school holidays, I have always been fascinated with business.
The first day I went to work as an apprentice hairdresser, Dad said, “In your career, do not concentrate on making a lot of money. Rather, concentrate on becoming the type of person others WANT to do business with. Then, most likely, you will do very well.”
As I transitioned from men’s hairstyling for ambitious professionals and the movers and shakers in San Francisco’s Financial District, my education increased with each conversation.
Read More...As I transitioned from cutting the hair of ambitious professionals and the movers and shakers in San Francisco’s Financial District, I always asked about their business. Their advice helped me, and many stories gave me great content for my earlier presentations on Getting, Keeping and Deserving Your Customers.
Here is one example from long before we had LinkedIn, YouTube, and email. I am sure you agree; the PRINCIPLE is still sound.
John, a successful young financial planner, told me a compelling story demonstrating a powerful approach to building credibility and trust with high-value clients, especially when you are the new contender in a competitive field.
The Journey Begins
John told me, “When I was thirty-three, I transitioned from another industry into my father’s established financial planning firm. Although my father was well-respected, I started from scratch—no personal reputation and no clients.”
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My journey into professional speaking and coaching began in an unlikely setting — a bustling salon on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. At 18, I worked with experienced stylists from the West End of London, masters of their craft who could whip up hairstyles I had never seen before. However, they thought lunch hours were for eating lunch. Many of our clients were affluent or on vacation and were flexible with their schedules. For me, lunch hours were opportunities to welcome five more clients who worked in the banks and office and did not have other options.
These colleagues were more seasoned and talented, earning three times my base pay. I asked myself, “Where can tenacity and relentless effort pay off?” The answer seemed clear: the colonies. Every January, I celebrate arriving in America.
Read More...If you want your speech to resonate profoundly and earn enthusiastic applause, remember that success depends on what you say and how confidently and naturally you deliver your message. This means beginning your preparations earlier than you think necessary—the French call this “répétition,” emphasizing the importance of rehearsal.
Read More...As an executive speech coach, I often stress to my clients that specificity is the cornerstone of credibility. To communicate effectively, every word must serve a purpose. One common misstep in public speaking and writing is the overuse of conjunctions like “and” or “but” to begin sentences. My English teacher told the class, “Originally intended as a verbal flourish, these conjunctions can overwhelm your message if not used judiciously.” Here’s how a few changes will help you deliver more compelling content. After all, we do not change what we are not aware of.
Better Ways to Begin Sentences
Conjunction Misuse: A Childlike Voice The tendency to start sentences with “and” or “but” can reduce sophisticated discourse to the simplicity of a child’s recount of a day trip: “We visited a dairy farm. And we saw cows. And they milked one of the cows. And we saw an old-fashioned butter churn. And…”
This approach may seem endearing in informal settings, but it lacks professional polish.
Strategic Alternatives to Starting with And/But Here are five refined strategies to replace starting sentences with “and” or “but,” enhancing the flow and impact of your writing:
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