One of the USA’s most successful TV commercials.

There’s still time!

The leader speaks.

The followers applaud on command.

There is an illusion that effective communication has taken place. It hasn’t.

The leader believes his job is done.

The followers believe they has just been subjected to the “same old/same old”!

According to Leaders Voice – ” 86% of business professionals believe they are effective presenters. Only 17% of their audiences agree”.

Sort it out. You can get help. Guess where?

The magic is in the stories.

Your stories remind the audience of their stories.

What are your stories?

Are your customers re – signing or resigning ?

…see, I told you it was short!

Having bought most of the books on leadership ever published, had a go at it myself, and also having been led by countless others, I am of the opinion that the book, The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner has got it right…

There are five fundamental practices of exemplary leadership -

- Challenge the process.

- Inspire a shared vision.

- Enable others to act.

- Model the way, and

- Encourage the heart.

Buy the book to get the detail (by the way, I get nothing for the recommendation!).

As a supplement to this excellent publication, I also recommend Sathnam Sanghera’s column in the Business section of The Times today. Sathnam writes some  great stuff, and today summarises “… five more banal skills that are, in my view, essential in business leaders  -

- The ability to read in moving vehicles….When you’re in charge of something you can’t waste time staring into the middle distance or throwing up when there are slides to get through between meetings…

 - Public speaking…if you’re scared of public speaking, you’re done for because you will at some point have to address a group of people…

- A fondness for one’s own company…you rarely have time to see family and friends and you  can’t bond with colleagues at any level because you can’t indulge in the gossip that is the primary glue of working life…

- The ability to get by on little sleep…Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com, is the only leader I’ve come across who admits to needing eight hours; everyone else seems to get by on four or five.

- An unexpressive face. A leader cannot betray emotions such as boredom or  frustration: a mindlessly upbeat demeanour is essential to navigating the conferences, PowerPoint presentations, and sycophancy…”

I think Sathmans got it about right! Do you?

By the way, no prizes for guessing which of Sathnam’s essential skills lifted my heart!

In his book On the Road, the comedian Frank Skinner describes his experience of going back on the road doing stand-up again, after many years spent working mainly on television. His adventures on tour are funny and moving as he meditates on growing older, the terrors and joys of trying to make a live audience laugh night after night, and on the nature of comedy itself.

What struck me though, was the personal angst Frank felt whenever he received feedback with even a subtle hint of criticism even if, by and large, his performance had been received rapturously by the vast majority.

 To be honest, as a speaker, I’ve  had those same feelings myself…ninety nine people said it was great, one says it wasn’t, and whats my abiding memory? You’ve guessed it…the one!

I take comfort, and I hope Frank does,  from the words of Tim Ferriss, author of The Four Hour Week…

” It doesn’t matter how many people don’t get it. What matters is how many people do!”

Never, no, not ever, have people behind you when you speak. No, no,no!

Not even if you are the President of the USA!

“To dance is to live. Dance the way I dance and you will live to be 100.” ~ Isadora Duncan.

I am told it would have been Isadora’s birthday yesterday. Sadly she only lived to age 50. So, perhaps she got the age wrong, but not the “dance “bit.

At the end of a week in which not one, but two friends passed away in their 50′s from cancer, I am reminded of Lee Ann Womack’s hit record – I hope you dance.
“I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake
But it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance “

……I hope you do to.

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:
She said, “If you were my husband, I’d give you poison.”
He said, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

A Member of Parliament to Disraeli: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.”
“That depends, Sir,” said Disraeli, “whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend…. if you have one.” – George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second…. if there is one.” –  Winston Churchill, in response.

I just wish I was as sharp!

And, I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

P.S. There’s a great tip in there for speakers but it seems a little insignificant in the scheme of things.