Yes, this is indeed

a post about leadership, teams,

and fostering resilience.

Water skiing (along with my wipeout)

is the analogy.

* * *

As a keynote speaker,

one of the many benefits of my role

is the opportunity to witness

leaders presenting to their teams.

Often a top executive,

(whether a CEO or SVP)

is on stage right before me.

One of the biggest mistakes

I see made is this:

in casting their vision

for the future, many leaders neglect to

address the reality that there

will at times be bumps

and choppy waters.

They paint an unrealistic vision.

But an inaccurate forecast

of what likely lies ahead

is a critical oversight. And ultimately,

it’s a setup for disappointment,

frustration and low morale

once team members hit

these rough patches, thinking maybe

they screwed up…or worse, that the

leadership team is totally out of touch.

When I work with

senior executives in Rock The Room®

I help them strategically craft

their messaging in such a way

that they inspire their teams

while also responsibly reminding them

that success is not going

to come without its challenges.

This video of me waterskiing

a couple of years ago

is a humorous but apt representation

of what can often lie ahead.

Be real with your teams, yourself,

and if the situation merits it,

the clients/customers you serve & support.

Prepare them for the bumps.

And remind them that

not only do they have what it takes,

but that getting up

—even after a major wipeout—

is absolutely essential.

Risk Forward & Lead On,

Learn more about Keynotes, Communications Workshops and Rock The Room® Presentation Skills Coaching.