Lessons From My Father

For eight months of the year I spent six days a week in the barn. Not all day. In that time I went to high school, college, graduate school and my first job. So let’s say four nights a week and two days. Mondays were my day off from the barn and the horses received a day off from me.

One time I remember declaring to my dad that I was going to cut back. Maybe five days a week at the barn instead of six. My argument as I told Herbie, was that I was happy where I was in the competitive world. I just had to “maintain.”

I clearly remember his answer. He said “Leslie, you are either getting better or getting worse, there is no such thing as staying the same. If you are staying the same, others are getting better.”

I have been thinking about this advice as I prepare to speak to two company retreats. I imagine some in attendance feel they are at the top of their game and can begin to coast while others may be hungry for expertise to help them accelerate their careers. If you follow my dad’s advice, even the top company tier needs to continue to improve.

Where do you fit in?

ASK LESLIE

Stay on Your Cutting Edge

You may have heard me talk about the value of visibility. I believe good things happen when you are visible that otherwise would not happen.

At The Chautauqua Institution I heard author Andrew Meier speak. Later that day, I noticed him in the audience and was able to have a private ten minute conversation.

What we can learn from tonight's Emmy Red-Carpet and Award Show

1. Prioritize Your Audience



The red-carpet pre-show is my favorite part of any awards show. I watch for the hits and especially the misses. Even with a professional stylist everyone doesn’t hit it out of the park. You will hear red-carpet hosts point out how a dress may look different on the red-carpet than it does to the home audience.

Lesson Learned:  Even with your visual you have to prioritize your audience. Every speaker has multiple audiences. First identify them and then prioritize. For an Emmy nominee which is the most important audience in choosing their wardrobe: in-person, at home, critics, media, producers? Can you prioritize your audience?

2. The Value of a Host

Over the years the award shows have tried the no-host approach. In 1958 an animated Donald Duck served as host. The Oscars did without a host for 2019-2021. It’s been since Johnny Carson that they really had a great one! Bob Hope hosted 19 times and Billy Crystal 9.

Lesson Learned: A host, a good host, is the consistent thread that ties the show together.

A good host, an effective host, starts their work weeks or months in advance. All the shows have returned to a host format. Tonight’s Emmy’s has the father-son duo of Eugene and Dan Levy from the highly awarded Schitt’s Creek. What makes a good host to you?

3. The Challenge of Thank-You's

One reason I like to watch the ceremony is to observe the challenge of a thank-you speech, even for Hollywood. The most creative minds in the world and yet so many acceptance speeches are boring. If thank-yous’ are difficult for Hollywood, what chance do we mere mortals have to be interesting?

Lesson Learned: A thank-you speech is a speech that needs to follow all the rules of any other speech category. Open with a WOW, 1 – 3 main points, and close on a thought provoking note. Prepare in advance rather than wing it in the moment. And don’t use your phone for your notes, texts play havoc. Do you put time into a “simple” thank you?

Our Rally classmates named Benji “Perfect” Benji. On graduation night he was the only one in class to correctly carry out the instruction on the14^th sign: an immediate DOWN from a heel (walk). The other dogs knew how to correctly execute this command.

When adrenaline goes up learning goes down. The same exercises we learn to “get the butterflies to fly in formation” when we speak come in handy for all situations: count backwards, breathe, and use right hand.

At 1:30 is where he executes the “down.”

What can you do to keep your adrenaline down?

HorseTalk: Lessons in Leadership

This year we have conducted five HorseTalk days, more than any other year.

We have one scheduled for October 11, 9am – 4pm --- and IF WE HAVE ENOUGH INTEREST we will have it.

You all will decide if we have the sixth one!

Let us know if you are interested as an individual or would

like to bring your team.

The fall is a special time to be outside at the farm.

Consider coming to this one. WHO KNOWS WHAT THE NEXT YEAR WILL BRING?

Email us at [email protected] for more information or to RSVP to HorseTalk.

HALLOWEEN BOOT CAMP: Tell Your Best Story

When: October 29 1:00pm – 4:30pm

Price: $49  (*$36 if you text me a photo of your favorite story)

Why should you attend?

1. Decisions are made on emotion and defended with logic.

2. Numbers are rarely memorable.

3. Stories engage your audience beyond facts.

Storytelling connects the speaker, helps us make sense of the world, and communicates our values and beliefs. A good story speaks to us in ways that numbers, data and presentation slides simply can't.

A fairy tale is a children's story . . . 

A bedtime story is a traditional form of storytelling.

A movie is a good story at its core.

The American Indian passed down their history through the verbal word.

Join us at this unique event! Email us at [email protected] for more information or to RSVP to one of our events.

Ask me about my 10 in 10!