Archives for September 2016

I won’t go on and on with an analysis of Donald Trump’s debate performance — I’ll leave that to Wolf Blitzer and Co. I will say that his presentation skills in that debate showed what lack of preparation looks like. It’s not pretty, people.

Researchers say 93 percent of our emotional connection to information is based on body language. Trump ran the gamut: boredom, superiority, contempt (eye roll), and aggression. And he was always reaching for water and sniffing which can indicate anxiety, and/or discomfort with what is being said. He could have allergies but regardless, if we’re still talking about it then it took focus away from his message. He also has a habit of clenching his teeth together and grimacing after making a point which also looks aggressive.

All of these things can be fixed or managed. But that can only happen with preparation; dry runs; awareness; giving a ‘hoot’.

All presentations are emotional. All of them. In Trump’s case the emotional touch points were all negative. And that doesn’t even touch the content (Howard Stern? Rosie O’Donnell?).

Clients often tell me they don’t have time to practice. Really? How’s that workin’ for ya?

I don’t know about you but I’ve always thought of September and back to school as the real start of the new year. I know all that Holiday Hoopla has a big day for the New Year in December but September — when the air gets crisp and the leaves change and fall — that’s the real beginning. It was time for a new grade, new experiences and new, although seemingly irrelevant at the time, learning that I looked forward to. The annual “do-over” for kids navigating their school careers.

Now it’s a time to do things you’ve been putting off; get back from a slower summer pace; start taking those new project ideas forward. In my case it’s finally getting my new website up and running. It’s a ‘work in progress’ and always evolving. Perfect for the new year!