Comments on: Life's a Speech

By: Don Booz

Don Booz — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 15:50:45 +0000

My daughter referred me “Crucial Skills” and, after reading this article and several others, I can see why she recommended it. I always test drive my presentations. And I am never fully satisfied that something cannot be improved. I swear that Kerry is reading my journal. Thank you for your presence in the world.

By: Jen Topping

Jen Topping — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:07:50 +0000

This is a wonderful reminder. I’ve often struggled to get started when sitting down to write a presentation, draft an important email or update a resume. I finally realized that what was holding me back was this need to get it right the first time; I felt like putting something down on paper meant that I was committing to it. I’ve had to learn to tell myself that writing it down doesn’t mean I can’t change it later. It seems so simple, but it’s a lesson I need to keep relearning.

By: Paul E

Paul E — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:59:14 +0000

Ironically, “Neighbors” is considered a cult classic by many. OK, a few. 🙂

By: Brian Taylor

Brian Taylor — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 03:26:17 +0000

A very good story and a good lesson for life. One instance where this approach does not work is when a single encounter with another person that goes badly can damage or even end the relationship. While we can learn from such an interaction for the future sometimes we don’t get another chance to ‘re-write the speech’.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:40:51 +0000

This is great! Just make sure you’re not going through these iterations on someone else’s dime, else it can become a cost of quality issue. If you’re billing by the hour, it’s wise to ‘get it right’ the first time.

By: Duane Penzien

Duane Penzien — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:34:33 +0000

I work in an environment where people treat most projects like a movie, not a speech. They are so busy moving to the next big thing, they never stop to learn from what they have just produced. So the next big thing continues to elude them. I am often criticized for treating projects more like a speech, but find a great deal more satisfaction and success with them. Thank you!

By: jnstruck

jnstruck — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:12:42 +0000

Well said, Kerry. Life is not a movie, and being one who gives a lot of ‘speeches’ I always want to ‘test’ it out before I go live…particularly if I left them with the feeling I wanted, not just the information.

Thanks.

By: Jem Matzan

Jem Matzan — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 18:13:45 +0000

The Marx Brothers’ first few movies were screen adaptations of their vaudeville acts, so they were already audience-tested. This gave them a huge competitive advantage. When they ran out of old material, they got a new producer who enabled them to get back onto live stages to test and refine their new material before filming it.

By: Cricket Buchler

Cricket Buchler — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:47:43 +0000

Loved this one, Kerry. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with all of us.

By: Steve Acevedo

Steve Acevedo — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:30:11 +0000

I am constantly amazed by your posts, Kerry. Like everyone else, I am deluged by emails on a daily basis. Most of the stream of emails I receive are because of my opting in on a previous email. I say this because for the most part I hurry through them just to get through. When I see an email from Crucial Skills, and it’s one of your posts, a smile spreads across my face because I know I’m in for a treat. Thank you for painstakingly developing your skills and insights over the decades so that you may bring a little joy into my life. Okay…I admit, you write for the benefit of others as well.