How I Turned One Executive Conversation into Six Clients

Several years ago, after a presentation to professional speechwriters, John, the head of corporate communications at a large technology company, walked over and said, “I am going to set up a conversation with my boss, an executive with a Fortune 500 company. He is a...

The Emotional Charge of the F Word: Why Smart Leaders Think Twice

 When my brother, Robert Fripp and I were little, if our mother was upset or frustrated, she would swear by saying, “Sugar” or “Spit.”  All the emotion without teaching her two sweet, innocent children ‘naughty’ words. Recently,  I watched the Michael...

How to Use a Teleprompter Without Sounding Like You’re Reading

When I coach executives and high-level conference speakers, one of the most misunderstood tools on stage is the teleprompter. Many of my clients speak at major conferences, where their speech is fed to a teleprompter positioned high enough that the audience barely...

The Virtual Event Moderator: The Most Underrated Role in Event Success

Never underestimate the importance of a moderator. In virtual events, the moderator is not the filler between speakers. The moderator is the glue that holds the entire experience together. When virtual events succeed, audiences credit the content. When they fail,...

When Brilliant Executives Suddenly Need Presentation Skills

I am frequently asked how I work with executives who are exceptional at what they do and have never had the time, opportunity, or need to improve their presentation skills. Until. A new position. Higher visibility. And a mandatory 45-minute presentation to senior...