Lessons From My Father

We had a small family room in the house I grew up in. My “mom’s” chair and my “dad’s” chair were five feet apart. What was really interesting was the carpet in front of each. The area ‘under’ my mom’s feet was almost thread bare after 10-15 years. The area “under” my dad’s feet was almost show room perfect. 

After dinner my dad would do chores: at his workbench or outside. By 8pm or 9pm he would have his Oreo’s and chocolate milk and sit down to read the paper in his chair. Once he sat down, he didn’t get up again until he did his night checks and then went to bed.

My mom had a different scenario. After she sat down in her chair, she got up every few minutes. Usually to check to see if anything else magically appeared in the refrigerator.

Each had a different strategy for “chair time”. Like so many things in communication and leadership the strategy is often less important than that you make a purposeful decision in selecting your strategy. Are you purposeful?

ASK LESLIE

Stay on Your Cutting Edge

Do you remember Marlon Brando and the "fang" orange rinds in the

first Godfather? At first glance it may seem an innocent bit of improvisation between Vito and his grandson. Today we call them "Easter eggs". Verbal or visual, sometimes hidden, references. These "Easter eggs" can help build rapport with your audience. 

3 Questions to Help You Bring in the New Year

1.  Ask 3 for the Good

Ask 3 new clients/ customers/ guests/ members/ patients why they chose you. Something like “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with you. May I ask, was there anything in particular that prompted you to say YES?”

Lesson Learned: When you ask a question two things can happen. One, you learn something new. Two, an outside source confirms something you believed to be true. Both have great value. Do you ask even when you think you know the answer?

2. Question Your Referral Source

A referral can have a higher value than gold. Many people work with us, not everyone refers us. It can help you replicate the ability to get referrals when you know the magic of the why. Ask 1 – 3 referral sources why they referred you. 

Lesson Learned: Perhaps it sounds something like, “I’m thrilled for your referral and will work hard to make you look good. May I ask was there anything in particular that prompted you to refer me? Do you ask why that manna from heaven came to you?

3. Why Didn't You Select Me?

Some people may ask, “why did you select me?" How many ask, “why didn’t you select me?” Ask why we are not moving forward as often as you ask why did you select me. The answer you get may be more valuable than if you would have received a YES.

Lesson Learned: Most people feel badly in some way when they say NO to you. You can give them the opportunity to say YES to a different question. And that will make them feel good. Ask for a referral, give them the opportunity to do something for you and feel good about themselves. Can you ask what seems like the tough questions?

Benji loves to go to class. I believe. My observable, measurable evidence that he loves going to class is:

His attitude

His happy face

His willingness

His quick response to commands and corrections

His focus through-out the class

The current class I was going to split attendance between Benji and Tevi. In the last class with Tevi he demonstrated none of the above observable behavior. On his last graduation night Tevi acted as though he had never before heard any of the commands. Benji demonstrates all the qualities during every class. So I decided to give Tevi a break and concentrate on Benji.

Whether you are attending a class, a seminar, a workshop, or a keynote, the speaker identifies qualities in your observable behavior as to how engaged each audience member is during a presentation. Are you aware of clues that you are giving out?

Video and Vino First Event of the Year

January 29, 5pm - 7pm

There will only be 3 Video & Vino sessions in 2025.



Receive the gift of an experience - do this with a friend or team member.

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!

• You can use your "elevator speech"
• You can use a part of any presentation you have given or will give
• You can be a pretend guest on a TV show
• You can use a few paragraphs from some famous speeches we have on hand

When: January 29th, 5pm - 7pm

Where: 822 Kumho Dr. in Fairlawn. Please park in the front of the building and come in the front door.

How: To reserve your spot(s) just email me.

HorseTalk: Lessons in Leadership dates for 2025 

• June 27
• July 18
• August 15
• September 19

We have one group who has scheduled their own day, June 10. You can select one of these open dates just for you or you can bring your team to HorseTalk.

Join us at this unique event at our Electric Impulse office in Fairlawn, OH. RSVP today by emailing Leslie at [email protected] or calling at 330.607.5730.

Ask me about my 10 in 10!