Our world has been touched by an unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut which unfolded this past Friday.

Tonight, many watched the prayers and speeches from religious leaders in the community, the 1st Selectman, the Governor and President Obama.

These were speeches of grief and compassion, recognition and hope, prayer and parenthood, ownership and leadership, acknowledgment and action.

I believe all great speeches remind us of what really matters and point the way forward, no matter how challenging the circumstance may be.

But you don’t have to wait for a tragedy to remind people of what really matters.

Whether you’re speaking to a small team or room of thousands, a wedding party or a graduation, your family at a holiday gathering or your sales force at a large year-end event…remember The Throughline™ — why you do what you do — and reference this in some small way.

It can be touched on in a sentence, through an image, via a word or a phrase, through a metaphor or a quote. Offer perspective on the immediate. Scope back and help us see a larger view. Don’t waste the opportunity. The world needs your voice.

For the families of those whose lives were lost on Friday at the elementary school, we send our thoughts, our prayers, our love.