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 […]
Read More...Your First Thirty Seconds: Arouse Interest in Your Subject
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 […]
Read More...Your Actions Speak Loudly
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 […]
Read More...Hollywood Movie Stars Show Us Lessons in Kindness and Authenticity
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. […]
Read More...This is the Perfect Time to Rewrite the Screenplay of Your Life
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 […]
Read More...Do You Realize You Can Make Every Conversation an Education?
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 […]
Read More...How to Earn Business from Influential People (Without Selling to Them)
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 […]
Read More...From Styling Hair to Shaping Words: What’s Your Origin Story
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 […]
Read More...Want Expert Advice to Improve Your Public Speaking and Writing?
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 […]
Read More...The #1 Way You Can Guarantee Your Stories Are Outstanding
The Success Formulas of Good Stories Imagine sitting in a darkened theatre as the music swells, the curtains part, and you’re instantly transported into another world. That’s the magic of storytelling, not just in Hollywood; it is in every speech, sermon, or business presentation you’ve ever enjoyed and remembered. I guarantee that stories played a […]
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