Consistently Great

By Kathleen Gysemans, MD, CS, CPC
Business and Executive Coach and Consultant

1. Game of life
Februari 2007, Bill Gove Speech Workshop, Orlando, Keynote speaking.
First day of the speech workshop – First prepared story to tell. Very good performance. Second day of the speech workshop- Second story to tell. A Pharmaceutical Company Executive is asked her input on my speech. Hm. Yesterday’s performance was better. Great performers have one thing in common: Consistency.

Her words create deep reflection and create action. “Consistently great “ is my answer !

How can you make a game of life, of business ? Have fun ! It is good being prepared, however too much rehearsal leads to being “significant” . Can you imaging what this means to your speech ? It suffers.

2. What are your best talents ? Are you dedicated to them ?
Imagine that it’s the last day of your life. Are you happy with what you achieved or filled with regret about the things in life you did not do, that career option you did not explore ?

Might it be useful to challenge the nay-sayers ? They can be everywhere: your parents, family, boss, colleagues. Remember that you only can have success in life if you are good in the things you like and you are doing them well. If that activity makes you also money BINGO !

3. Structures
What is your vision for life ? How will your life look like within 6 months, 1 year, 5 years ?
Can you visualise it ? Then put these images concerning you career, relationship and family life, financial life, free time, spiritual and emotional life on your screen saver.
Consistent performers are those with a vision and action plan in place, they have a laser-like focus on the things that are important and are characterized by their speed of decision and execution. They also walk the talk.
Speed of decision and execution : move fast, get going. Be a magnet to opportunities. We will give credits for a person who does things for us fast, rather than for a person who does things for us slowly. Do it now ! What is the highest standard of quality that can be delivered in the shortest period of time ?“

4. Skills
Influencing: How can I give you what you want ?
Building bridges: Can we influence somebody if we are telling how smart we are ?
Persistence: Or another person jumps on the opportunity !

5. Energy and dynamism count today – it is not possible for you to be positive when you are tired. Regular rest and recreation give you the ability to bounce back when you face adversities.

I will end this overview of what “Consistently Great “ means for me with a quote of Mark Twain:
“ Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
Sail away from the safe harbour.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream.”

Provide a compelling reason

“The single most powerful thing you can do to convince your audience of something is to provide a compelling reason why they should do what you suggest (or believe what you say).”

—Tony Jeary

100 Incredibly Inspiring Videos for Leaders

Please find herewith a  link from Online College, a website dedicated to bringing you the best online educational tools and resources.

100 Incredibly Inspiring Videos for Leaders features links to a variety of video clips of celebrities, professional athletes, politicians, and everyday people as well as select film clips and commercials. 

From Barack Obama inspiring a shared vision in Yes We Can (#50) to Josh Hinds learning from experience in Embracing Adversity (#78). This list is a must see !

Larry Wilson

 ”The audience will respect you for your successes, but they will love you for your failures.”

 -Larry Wilson, www.greatgameoflife.com

How better marketing elected Barack Obama

By: John Quelch Nov 5, 08

http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/quelch/

Most popular speech

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Video/VideoPlayer.aspx?videoId=72990

Victory Speech of Obama – “yes we can”

VIDEO: De overwinningsspeech van Obama

Where to look for speech topics

http://siglaptoastmasters.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/where-to-look-for-speech-topics/

How to create a supportive audience

By Sandra Zimmer

My public speaking students ask, “What if I speak to an audience that is hostile? How do I deal with that?” This question usually comes up after they have transformed a great deal of stage fright and are feeling very comfortable at the center of attention in their class group. The implication of the question is how to protect themselves from people who don’t love, respect, and accept them. At the root of this question is a judgment about the audience members. Their assumption is that people in the audience will treat them disrespectfully and even worse attack them outright. I tell them that there is only one audience in the world — that is the audience that you create by how you relate to them. People are mostly alike. For the most part, they care about other people and want to be supportive. And, if they are treated with respect and honesty, they respond in kind. Audiences are the same way. If you step up to the podium and open to receive them, they are compelled to pay attention and to support you. It’s all in how you look at them — literally how you look at them. If you tense up to protect yourself from attack, you unconsciously invite them to attack you. You are looking at them as dangerous, and they will sense that. But if you look at them through the eyes of love and acceptance, they will sense that and give supportive attention back to you. You literally create a supportive audience by being there to support them. I recommend and teach the use of soft eyes. That is, look softly at your audience members. Land your eyes gently on one person at a time, taking in a sense of energy from each individual you make eye contact with. I call this “receiving” the audience. It allows you to be with them rather than talk at them. Instead of looking at them with hard-focused eyes, open yourself to take in their attention, love, and support. Because you are looking with friendly, soft eyes, people are instantly transformed and respond in kind. Soft eye connection gives others permission to be who they are with whatever feelings and thoughts they currently have. When people are given permission to feel their feelings and think their real thoughts, they relax and become kinder and more open. If you are willing to take the risk to be open with your audience, they will be open with you. So for instance, if you are sharing some bad news with a group of stakeholders, and you can be honest about the situation and can give them permission to be upset about it, then that permission will allow them to express their displeasure. If you resist, they will stay angry. If you allow their feelings to be expressed and you don’t take it personally, they calm down.       About the Author: Sandra Zimmer is the President and Founder of The Self-Expression Center in Houston, Texas. She works with professionals who are struggling with communication, who are gripped with fear about speaking to groups or who don’t like the sound of their voice. She guides people through experiential learning programs that connect them with their natural abilities to express, communicate, and present so they feel confident to share their ideas, insights, and expertise with the world. Sandra can be contacted at http://www.self-expression.com, sandra@self-expression.com, and  281-293-7070 . Go here to learn how Sandra is transforming stage fright and fear of public speaking into authentic presence! Check out the Experts page for Sandra Zimmer, the Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to Stage Fright and Overcoming Stage Fright.

Quote

“Always start your speech like you’re in the middle of it.”

-Dr. Kenneth McFarland, 1906-1985, the Dean of American Speakers