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

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

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...
Do You Have the Talent and the Patience for Great Success?

Do You Have the Talent and the Patience for Great Success?

As a seasoned professional speaker, I am frequently asked for advice by up-and-coming speakers. They enjoy my programs on How to Open Your Presentation with Impact and Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great Presentations. However, there is one piece of advice they...
The Virtual Event Moderator: The Most Underrated Role in Event Success

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,...
Why Coming to America at 20 With $500 Seemed Like a Good Idea

Why Coming to America at 20 With $500 Seemed Like a Good Idea

January 18 is my personal anniversary. It is the day I arrived in the United States. When people ask, “Why did you come to America at age 20 with no job, no contacts, and $500?” my honest answer is, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” And it did. At that point...
Enjoy the Results When You Maximize the Power of Well-Chosen Words

Enjoy the Results When You Maximize the Power of Well-Chosen Words

Recently, I was interviewed by my NSA colleague Shannon J. Gregg, PhD, for her Life Sciences Sales Lab podcast, and she asked a question that took me straight back to the early 1990s. “Patricia, when was the first time you coached a scientist?” That honor goes to my...