West Pointer, former Harvard team quarterback, and investor with an impressive track record, Mr. Very Cool pointed his charm my way for “a little presentation feedback” at a recent event. As he explained his project, I had to restrain myself from tsk, tsk-ing and maintain an even-keeled expression. This is not going where you might […]

Confronting prickly employees and underperformers rarely tops anyone’s list of favorite tasks. Nobody at the office wants to talk about difficult topics or deliver bad news. Most managers secretly wish that frustrating employees would stop making life so difficult and “get over it.” They forget that within the challenges people present, often there is a […]

After months of thought, it felt great to vote early. Even though I had a peculiar reaction myself, I hope you’ll join me and get to the polls early. My reaction included a flood of powerful emotions when I stepped into the morning air from the polling spot. Tears filled my eyes, which never happened […]

At a recent conference, several otherwise charming speakers, blew it by teleprompter. In front of 6,000 people. Management thought a teleprompter would rescue their group from poor speaking skills. Unfortunately, speaking by teleprompter is just as deadly to an audience as hearing a zombie drone on — just as stilted, stiff, and robotic. Audiences can’t […]

Jeremy is a genius at motivation. His gift is one we can all take to heart: Lighten up. Three times a week, during an early morning YMCA Pilates class, he inspires me and about 40 people of all ages. And he’s been doing it for more than 15 years. No one ever wants to miss, […]