While I'm not very good at keeping my own blog site current, I recently co-wrote a piece with Tanveer Naseer titled, "Is Your Leadership Serving Others . . . or Just Yourself?"
You can read it here at Shawn Murphy's leadership blog series called "Wake Up and Shake It Up."
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Purposeful Preparation
The last few weeks have flown by as I've traveled the globe speaking to different organizations and meeting amazing people! Frequently, I will have people come up after a presentation to ask how I became a speaker. My answer is: 1) I've known for over two decades that this is my calling -- I love it; 2) I spend hundreds of hours preparing my presentations . . . reading books, blogs, newspapers, interviewing people, and actively listening to learn the best; and 3) I practice and present frequently.
My goal is to always offer something new in each presentation and that requires me to stay connected and on my toes.
Recently, while preparing for a presentation in the speaker's prep room at a conference, I heard another speaker bragging about how she made her stories up to support her points. She was proud of her inauthentic style and defended it as if she were justifying the behavior. I know other speakers that rely on the same material year after year, and I've heard some fairly wild leadership philosophies that were based on nothing but the opinion of the presenter.
Fortunately, I know many speakers that work very hard and deliver amazing presentations as well. They work hard and prepare well for each engagement. I'm always inspired to do more as I see such fine examples. Indeed, when I was only 16 years old it was Stephen R. Covey that made a lasting impression in my life. I knew then that I would speak. Recently, while speaking at the same conference, I finally met Dr. Covey (no, we're not related and my hair loss was completely natural).
My goal is to always offer something new in each presentation and that requires me to stay connected and on my toes.
Recently, while preparing for a presentation in the speaker's prep room at a conference, I heard another speaker bragging about how she made her stories up to support her points. She was proud of her inauthentic style and defended it as if she were justifying the behavior. I know other speakers that rely on the same material year after year, and I've heard some fairly wild leadership philosophies that were based on nothing but the opinion of the presenter.
Fortunately, I know many speakers that work very hard and deliver amazing presentations as well. They work hard and prepare well for each engagement. I'm always inspired to do more as I see such fine examples. Indeed, when I was only 16 years old it was Stephen R. Covey that made a lasting impression in my life. I knew then that I would speak. Recently, while speaking at the same conference, I finally met Dr. Covey (no, we're not related and my hair loss was completely natural).
Before I speak, I always ask:
- What can I do to serve the people that have come to listen today?
- How do I create a conversation that leaves people with hope and optimism?
- How can I be authentic and genuine?
- Ultimately, how do I ensure that this conversation is about others, and not just a performance from me?
- Is the information I'm sharing relevant, real, and reflective of current realities?
I'm not perfect. Indeed, I'm constantly seeking new ways to improve, learn, and grow. The preparation time is significant and I'm constantly seeking new material that is relevant, and most importantly, real. I'm grateful to be able to share, meet, and converse with people all around the world. I'm grateful to be a speaker.
What are you passionate about? What is your calling? Where do you spend hundreds of hours of your life?
Now, back to preparing for my presentation tomorrow.
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