Last week we had a visit from our nephew Cody and his wife Carly. Their two daughters Harper (aged 8) and Vivian (aged 3) are boisterous, thrilling and exhausting. When we wanted to catch up with their parents, Deborah dusted off her expertise in hosting...
When making an introduction, Emily Post recommended you first look at the person you are introducing-- and then turn to the audience. Speak clearly. Use courteous language as in, "I'd like to introduce...
A recent Wall Street Journal article: No one listening? Maybe you're the problemcited a common communication failure. If you've ever said "I can't make myself heard in meetings or conversations" the WSJ article suggests self-examination. Do you ramble on, without purpose and unaware of your listener's...
Melissa McCarthy presented the Oscar for Best Costume Design at the recent Academy Awards. McCarthy wore an over-the-top, Alice in Wonderland costume jam-packed with stuffed rabbits. And as Bryan Tyree Henry's costume proved, bold patterns will attract the eye and capture the spotlight. McCarthy's bit...
While visiting a Canadian wellness hotel, we passed Bob Won as we entered the Serenity room. It's a quiet space where you can look out over the rolling mountains, and on this morning, watch the snow drift silently down.But in this stillness, Bob Won is...
August, 2017. The USS John McCain collides with a tanker near Singapore, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 lives and $223 million. The crew members in charge didn’t notice the other ship in time, and take appropriate action. They weren’t paying attention. As the world...
One of history’s finest artists, Leonardo da Vinci, was demeaned by his biographer. Giorgio Vasari described da Vinci as touched by God. In fact, da Vinci was mortal, but endowed with two critical traits-- unbridled imagination and intellectual curiosity. Surprisingly, Da Vinci had almost no schooling. But...
Opening any presentation is nerve-wracking. Not only is stage fright at its peak, but the audience expects you to say something compelling. Plus, not everyone listening to you processes information the same way. The most difficult to satisfy are those with short attention spans. The...
Paul Cox believes the combination of an ethnobotanist, bats, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming holds the key to defeating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. He's assembled a consortium of scientists for this very purpose. Because Cox isn't working for big Pharma, he's not constrained by...
Glenn Close won Best Actress at the 2019 Golden Globes. Other winners can take note for how to deliver a memorable acceptance speech. Close didn't waste time thanking her dry cleaner, dog walker or astrologer. Instead, she gave a respectful nod to the other actresses in...