Business Communications
“Everything Was Beautiful At the Ballet”
That’s the title line from a song in the Broadway musical, “A Chorus Line.” I’ve had this song in my head for a week – especially at the gym. During this health crisis, I say, “Everything was healthy at the gym.” And it is. No one is sick at the gym. No coughing, no sniffling,…
Read MoreIt’s Your Birthday—Who Have You Become?
I haven’t always loved my birthday. When I was five years old, the cruel Chicago winter got in my way. The Mayor issued a traveler’s advisory and my party was canceled. The next February, the same thing happened. Mom suggested a half-birthday party on August 4th – in our small backyard – with Japanese lanterns.…
Read MoreAuthenticity: A Delicate Balance
In the quest for authenticity, we get some strange results. Reality television. Cringe-worthy tweets of inner thoughts and feelings. Photos of your dinner – do they message authenticity? Some years ago, I worked on a reality TV show, coaching the contestants to pitch their inventions. Was it reality? Not so much. I will leave it…
Read MoreArtistry: The Art of Feeling
What moves you? What music causes tears to spring to your eyes, and a catch to your throat? For me, it’s a soprano singing any operatic aria… or the opening chords of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer.” The competitive figure skating season has begun, and I am glued as always. Competitive figure skaters who win…
Read MoreDo People Have Instincts for Good?
What keeps you sane every day? How do you stay hopeful about people, and trust their instincts for good? If, like me, your guts twist almost every day, remember Thomas Edison said, “Discontent is the first necessity of progress.” So in my head, I keep hearing Ted Kennedy: “the work goes on, the cause endures,…
Read MoreFLASHBACK FRIDAY: Fun – The New Work Ethic
“Everything is for my entertainment or my education. If I’m not having fun, I must be learning.” I first heard that when I worked at Disney. Did Walt say that? Not sure. I say you can have fun while learning. And “fun” seems to be my brand. I got an email the other day from…
Read MoreI’m Your Cheerleader
We are so excited when we start our businesses or a new job. So much enthusiasm – we will set the world on fire! After the initial high, what keeps us fired up? Who keeps you committed to your game? Who reminds you of your passion? My first cheerleading gig was as a Senior at…
Read More“Them Who Asks, Gets”
A favorite phrase of my mom’s, who was an English major! Ask for what you want, and you may get it. If you don’t ask, you have no chance. Wouldn’t ALL your relationships be better if you asked for what you want? Hoping people will read your mind is the basis of drama, for heaven’s…
Read MoreDo I Really Have to Speak?
Build it, and they will come. When you have a dynamite speech about your business, opportunities will present themselves. You will be asked to speak. I want you to be as excited about speaking about your business as you are about your business. My goal is to get you so excited about your speech that…
Read MoreThe Tyranny of “Or”
Before attending “Stars on Ice” last weekend at the Honda Center in Anaheim, I asked myself, “Am I going to love this? Do I love figure skating for the competition or the artistry?” I had been glued to all the hours of televised coverage of competitive figure skating: the Olympics, the Worlds, the Nationals—all of…
Read More