Lessons From My Father

My dad was practical, kind of a “if you can’t beat ‘em - join ‘em” kind of guy. He was also good with his hands. While he didn’t like cats, his practical side gave in and eventually he helped the little orphans I would bring home. He built a wooden box in the barn for a cat I found and equipped it with a light bulb that heated the box in winter.

I thought of him the other day while I was feeding my beloved deer. He probably would have felt the same way as he felt about the cats. At first not wanting me to have and then eventually helping me care for them.

If you want to feed deer there are two options: you can purchase 50# bags or condensed blocks. The blocks are easier for me to store and carry. Apparently the deer are not so hot about them. The corn takes a little more effort but my deer appear to like it so much more.

It dawned on me this morning as I was dragging the 50# bag, that my dad would have built a trough. And he probably would have rigged up some kind of chute to move the corn from the back of my SUV to the trough. He would have had solutions that would have helped me.

Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?

It is an honor to give a eulogy. The eulogy is usually the last formal time people will gather to talk about the beloved person. It is an important spoke on the communication wheel and needs to follow the same rules as other speeches. For some attendees it is the only sense of that person they may have. Your eulogy needs to be a speech only you could give.

The Willie Nelson of the 60's seems to have almost nothing in common with the "cosmic cowboy" that audiences would come to know and love. What can we learn?

1. A Non-Calculated Appeal



In 1962, he is a short-haired fellow wearing a suit and an anxious grin. In 1968, he hit a fashion low, posing in golf attire on a putting green while draping himself around a young woman in a miniskirt. The albums sold poorly when he followed a path mapped out by music executives who supposedly knew better.

Lesson Learned: The turnaround came when he made a break and decided to be fully himself, not only in his musical approach but in how he presented himself to the world. He grew out his hair, started wearing jeans and T-shirts, a red bandanna around his forehead. Can you be fully yourself in your own verbal, vocal and visual voice?

2. The Exception or the Rule

Willie owns a home in Maui, Hawaii, with views of the Pacific Ocean, yet for several years also operated Willie’s Place, a truck stop and biodiesel processing plant. He taught Sunday school and praised Las Vegas for its “hustler energy.” He had his assets seized by the I.R.S. and sung with President Obama at a 2014 benefit concert for veterans.

Lesson Learned: We can look to the “rule” versus the “exception." Success usually falls on the side of the rule. If you follow the exception and do it well, the rewards can be great. MLK left his prepared speech to recite the I Have a Dream vision. This was an exception to the well prepared and scripted MLK. Can you be purposeful in whether you are the exception or follow the rule?

3. Contradictions Define His Career

At the Hollywood Bowl his 90th birthday featured performances from Snoop Dogg, Norah Jones, and Keith Richards. It was Keith Richards I found especially interesting. In 2015, when he stood on a stage in D.C. a few feet away were Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi applauding him. 



Lesson Learned: A contradiction is defined as a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another. Perhaps a rock ‘n roll legend and a country western icon, or an R and a D enjoying the same performer. Contradictions can make people more interesting. Is there a contradiction that defines you?

Since getting Tevi 9 months ago, I try to routinely be a student of “dog whisperers." I watch Caesar Milan videos and read and re-read Zak George’s more updated thoughts on living well with your dog. Even the New York Times extolled the virtues of his training style.

The videos and book case studies make training seem so easy. In some ways rather than helping they hurt because I am further disappointed that my dog doesn’t have a miraculous transformation in 10 minutes. It’s kind of like going to a therapist and expecting to be “cured” in one session.

With the New Year we are starting with our 3^rd “dog whisperer." Perhaps this one will whisper in a language both Tevi and I understand. Benji seems to understand all the languages the experts have used. All I have to say is “yes” and he knows to look for a treat while Tevi remains clueless and I sometimes forget the treat.

I have tried group and I have tried one-on-one coaching. Both have their up and down sides. Just like coaching or classes that I offer, each have their strong points.

As I tell clients on the interview journey, it’s always about the fit. I am looking forward to this expert being a good fit.

One Seat Remaining

Video and Vino

January 18, 5pm - 7pm

We would be excited to have you join us at this unique session. Each participant will be taped, we will play it back, make suggestions, and tape you again. You will see immediate improvement!

You learn by doing and by observing others. Guess what? You have fun throughout the process!

• This session will prepare you to be ready for your time in the spotlight whether it is in person, on TV, a podcast, Tik-Tok, YouTube or Zoom.
• Leave with VINO and a gift bag!

You are invited to:

Dead President's Boot Camp

February 13, 9am - 12pm

We are thrilled to share with you this opportunity to use the magic of history and video to enhance your communication style.

So much to learn from:

• Lincoln's very short Gettysburg address really not written on the back of an envelope as urban legend tells us.
• MLK's handwritten index cards really was how he prepared.
• In the history of the world, no one is better at answering tough questions than RFK in Columbus.

Perhaps you will want to come with a friend! We need to know how many gift bags to make!

Location: Electric Impulse Office

Valentine’s snacks and gift included for each attendee.

Email us at [email protected] for further information or to RSVP to one of our events. For more information visit our website.

Ask me about my 10 in 10!