Engagement Beats Performance

Years ago, when I was teaching actors at Columbia College, Nora Dunn (SNL) sat with my students on the floor and shared an important lesson:

"Your job is not to please the audience. Your job is to engage the audience. In the engagement is where they will be pleased."

The same is true in leadership. We engage people by focusing outward: showing up early, shaking hands, asking questions, learning what matters to others, and genuinely caring about their experience. That's where connection happens.

🎥 In this short video, I share why engagement is one of the keys to being a successful leader.

Signature Stories

Want presentations with your staff to be engaging, even when the content feels dry? In this video, you’ll discover how to bring natural, authentic humor into your meetings without forcing jokes or trying to be a comedian. Learn why the best humor often come from your audience, how small moments can turn into connection, and how personal stories can change the way people engage with you.

If you’ve ever wondered how to loosen up a room, create true interaction, and make your message stick, this is for you.

Watch the video to see how to turn everyday moments into memorable, engaging presentations.

The Essence of an Effective Story

We’ve all heard that storytelling matters in leadership. But here’s what most people get wrong…

They choose stories that are interesting to them, but not to the audience.

I see it all the time. Leaders default to sports analogies because they enjoy them… while half the room is quietly disengaging.

Great storytelling is about being relatable and the most effective stories tend to be the simplest ones about real people.

In this short video, I discuss how you can find the essence of an effective story.

Lead With Excitement Not Nervousness

Early in your leadership journey, it’s easy to let nerves take over. But consider this: nervousness centers on you, excitement focuses on others.

Focus on the audience, the board, the people depending on your perspective. You were invited into that room because you have something of value to offer.

Take a minute to watch this short video, it might change how you walk into your next meeting.

Right?

Right? Have you heard this lately? Many of us reactively finish our sentences with “right”? Maybe we like to be agreed with! I wonder how these things come about. Years ago the word was ‘awesome’ that seemed to be used for any experience, relationship, or meeting….right? When you are presenting this can become a repeated word that the audience hears, and you don’t. This is the value of taping your presentations, so you can hear what they are hearing. And what may be driving them to distraction, distracted from your core message. If you do that it would really be awesome! Right?

I teach team members how to productively interact with leaders who are significantly older or younger than they, not the typical ‘generational’ stereotyping method but one built on the skills of successful human relationships.

Show and Tell, Before the Lesson

“Life is the cruelest of teachers: it tests us first and then teaches us the lesson.” The ultimate early school exercise of show and tell! When I first read this, I agreed—but then I had another thought…

“Life is the kindest of teachers…here is the test, now let’s learn…another test is around the corner…and then we will learn some more.”

What if your meetings were like that?

Instead of starting with input, spreadsheets, or documents…what if you began with a demo, a question (not just a hypothetical one), or anything that could replicate show and tell?

Let’s say you are teaching good patient service. Have the participants see it, brainstorm it, or talk in small groups about what good—and not so good—patient service looks like. Let them see it, participate in it, and have time to talk about it. Then comes the training, the education, the skill-building.

If we don’t feel it, it’s likely to pass from one ear to the other. Ditch the PowerPoint lecture and engage the group in the doing first.

Strengthen Your Career with Effective Presentations

Most professionals can present information. Far fewer can present in a way that truly helps executives make better decisions.

In my article, “Strengthen Your Career with Effective Presentations,” I explore why executive presence matters and how improving the way we communicate, especially at the senior level, can directly influence trust, recognition, and career growth.

Thank you to ASIS International for featuring this piece in their Security Management Magazine. I invite you to read the full article here:

Dessert First

What if you started your presentations the way you start a great meal—dessert first? When you lead with the part your audience cares about most, everything that follows brings more clarity, energy, and purpose.

In this short video, I share how this simple shift can transform your impact and the way people listen from the moment you start talking.

Billboards, PowerPoints, and the Art of Less

Driving the other day, I passed a billboard packed with text. At 55 miles per hour, I couldn’t even tell what it was about—let alone remember how to contact them. That’s the problem with clutter. And here’s the truth: PowerPoint slides are just like billboards. They’re not the main event. We are. The slides should be wallpaper—background that complements our wisdom, not competes with it. If your audience is reading, they’re not listening. Keep it simple, keep it clear, and let your voice be the message they remember. What this short video for my take on how to use PowerPoint slides effectively so your audience leaves with the wisdom you came to share.

Using Your Native Language

For this week's Wednesday Rewind, I talk about "Using Your Native Language" to connect with others. What strategies do you use to connect with colleagues, neighbors, friends or when meeting new people?

Teaching at Institute of Pastoral Studies - Loyola University Chicago gives me a worldwide view of life with students from Korea, Poland, China, Spain, South America, India, Pakistan, and even from Atlanta, Georgia! As I teach, I’ve learned to use their native language to teach me more about our English vocabulary. I recently asked the students to put the word “hunch” on the board in their native language and then to define it. None defined it as “hunch” instead painting a video for us of that word in action. I asked a student from Thailand to write “empathy” on the board in Thai…it was a very long word! When asked to define it, she thought for a moment and said, “Sitting on my grandmother’s lap after dinner before the fireplace.” Perfect! With your international colleagues or neighbors try using their language early and often to enhance your English understanding. The powerful world of words, images, metaphors, and inclusion awaits.

What Andre Rieu Taught Me About Audience Connection

Have you ever heard of Andre Rieu? He's a Dutch violinist and conductor who’s been creating magical concert experiences for over 30 years. My wife and I saw him live in Chicago, where he and his orchestra marched in from the back of the theater, instantly transforming the energy in the room.

What struck me most wasn’t just the music; it was how he engaged the audience. He didn’t perform at us; he performed with us. That’s a mindset shift we can all bring to our own presentations, whether we’re on stage, in a meeting, or leading a workshop.

We may not have a full orchestra behind us, but we do have the power to make people feel part of the moment.

🎥 Watch the video and ask yourself: How can I create that kind of connection with my audience?

7 Things Not to Say or Do

Every so often, I like to pull a lesson from the archives that still holds up today. This one continues to resonate because the fundamentals of great communication never change. Consider this your midweek reminder to keep sharpening the basics.

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Here are some things that you should never ever (ever!) say or do in your presentation because they will be hated or ignored by most audiences:

1. “You probably want to know a little about ME!” (No, they don’t.)

2. “Before I begin you have to understand that…”(Just begin already!)

3. “How are you all doing?” (Thought to be an involver, often experienced as an embarrassment by both sides.)

4. “Can you hear me OK?” while tapping the microphone. (Audio checks should happen with the sound professional, not the audience.)

5. “Today we are going to….” followed by a list of objectives usually on PowerPoint that everyone can read faster than you can speak. (Next time just get right to #1 without identifying it as such and conclude with “We just finished our first objective for the day.”)

6. “I can’t hear you!” as a way to have the audience repeat the speaker’s key phrase. (Do you want everyone to feel like they are back in second grade!?)

7. “Shhhhhhhh…” attempting to get control back from an audience group exercise. (Try this next time: “If you can hear me, please raise your hand.” As they do others will notice. This usually only needs to be said twice and then a sincere thank you allows you to continue.)

The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Nice.

When someone comes up to you and thanks you for your presentation try responding with, “Thank you very much. What did you like especially?” You’ll get an on-the-spot example of what hit home for them. And if it is critical or negative, lean in a bit with “Wow, tell me more about that” and say it with genuine interest. No matter who or where, people, especially those who told you the great and the not so great, they all like to be heard and acknowledged.

PowerPoint Tips That Actually Work

Ever sat through a presentation where the clipart felt more like a stock photo shoot than a meaningful visual? Or where the slides looked sleek on a laptop but turned muddy on the projector?

In this short video, I share practical tips to help your slides function as well as they look:

• Say goodbye to generic images and cluttered text

• Keep your slides thematically consistent

• Test your colors on a projector — trust me, it matters

• And my favorite trick: hit the “B” key to blackout the screen and bring all eyes back to you

Whether you're presenting to a boardroom or a classroom, these tips will help you show up with clarity and confidence.

Speak Up, Stand Out: Presentation Tips That Get You Heard

Your voice carries your message—make sure it’s heard. In this video, I share quick-fire tips to present with confidence and clarity:

• Skip the “Can you hear me?”

• Speak louder—yes, even if it feels awkward

• Keep slides short and punchy

• Make it about the audience—always

Your opportunity starts when they hear you. Don’t miss it.

Small Sessions, Big Impact

Sharing reflections from a recent post-conference workshop. Attendance was small—just three participants—but the impact was significant. The intimate setting fostered rapid learning, engagement, and meaningful dialogue. When people choose to show up, they’re already invested. As facilitators, our focus shouldn’t be numbers—it should be delivering value. The right people always find their way in.

Watch the video to see how small sessions can lead to big takeaways.

Present First, Explain Later

I’ve sat through many presentations lately and too often presenters save the best for last. But leading with action gives people something to connect with right away.

This video explores why flipping the format helps your message stick. Don’t wait—start strong and let your audience experience the value.

Mic Drop Wisdom: Say It, Then Stop

Mary Doria Russell, author of “The Sparrow,” a popular novel among my university classes, said that people who go on and on and on and on should join the support group “On and On Anon”! Whenever you’re giving a short or long presentation and you know that what you just said was it… Stop! You are done, that’s all. Sit. Trust your inner self and let it be. Don’t belabor or repeat the it, just let it linger in the air. You’d made your point, enjoy! Take your applause with humility and grace and sit down. Let whoever is in charge ask for “Any questions?” All you need to do is say that magic of wisdom that came from within you and sit.

Your Slides Are Talking Over You—Here’s How to Fix That

Ever find yourself cramming too much info on your slides? We've all been there. But here's the thing—if your audience is busy reading, they’re not really hearing you.

Watch my latest video to learn why embracing the “less is more” approach in PowerPoint can transform your message. Fewer words, more impact. Let the visuals support you, not compete with you.

Your Slides Are Talking Over You—Here’s How to Fix That

Ever find yourself cramming too much info on your slides? We've all been there. But here's the thing—if your audience is busy reading, they’re not really hearing you.

Watch my latest video to learn why embracing the “less is more” approach in PowerPoint can transform your message. Fewer words, more impact. Let the visuals support you, not compete with you.