Jim Ziegler, CSP, HSG, OG

One of my most engaging techniques is to become one of them. When You are on stage, especially behind a podium, you're disconnected and removed. NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE, the lighting and maybe video, etc., sometimes I leave the stage, walk out into the audience and deliver the message face-to-face in the audience.( switching every minute or so) Sometimes ask a question they answer ( always repeat), sometimes I ask them. A Q&A with an assistant passing a microphone is an ultimate bonding technique. CAUTION THOUGH: You must be an expert in your niche subject to take a Q&A at the end of your presentation. I've seen many amateurs attempt it and crash and burn. ~ Jim Ziegler, CSP, HSG, OG, #AlphaDawg ~

In the New Testament Bible, when Jesus spoke to the masses his messages were always in 'Parables'. Regardless of your religion, or lack of it, read those stories in perspective. It will occur to you that Jesus was a Master Story-Teller, actually he was a Motivational Speaker. His stories, were parables, carefully-crafted presentations that delivered a point making his audience contemplate the deeper meaning, never about him, a morality story. Aesop's Fables, Grimm's Fairy Tales, even One Thousand & One Arabian Nights always delivered a deeper meaning beyond childhood entertainment. Parables are lifes' morality dramas. They never realized a 'Parable' has a deeper lesson. Always was subtle and understated. ~ Jim Ziegler, CSP, HSG, OG ~

One of the biggest mistakes, usually born of ego, is when a new speaker believes they are qualified to speak on all subjects. Everyone has our strengths and weaknesses. Call it your niche, or maybe your strength or expertise. A professional speaker shares expertise and experiences with our audience to enrich their lives and deliver information to make them better at the subject you are there to deliver. When I speaker accepts a presentation they are not qualified, they're quickly exposed as a pretender. Too many speakers accept presentations they have no business on the stage because the accept everything. Your niche is the area of your "Super Expertise" a subject of area that you rule. Own Your Niche and Stay in your Lane. ~ Jim ~

When the line breaks down and the Blitz is coming the quarterback has the option to abandon the play we planned and to scramble. In business and management, designated decision-makers have the authority to pull the curtain and devise a new play. That is why we not only have a Plan A and a Plan B, with separate team leaders trained on their alternative possibility, BUT we also have executive management that can pull the string, abandon all of the plans, and go into Crisis Management Mode. I have experienced some companies with the absurd philosophy that we don't discuss "Negatives". That is the same mentality that didn't bring enough lifeboats on the Titanic.

Before I even read your reply to the question, I found out that your answer is similar to mine. Chances are we are geniuses! JIM

Worse scenario: We might go out of business! Do I really want to communicate that down through the ranks and cause panic, fear, and anxiety? There is a limit to what we're describing as "Clear Communication" here. I submit that decision-makers need to be clearly and totally informed. The game plan is useless if everyone suddenly starts scrambling for the exits. It doesn't help them or the company through the crisis. In a Crisis situation there is No Democracy! It is not up for a vote or input while the situation is ongoing. Anyone who thinks other wise has never experienced the situation, OR you were not in charge and thought you should have been. NEW IDEAS are something you consider in the planning stage.