Innovative ideas are rarely rejected on their merits; they’re rejected because of how they make people feel. If you forget people’s concerns and feelings when you present an innovation, or neglect to understand their perspectives in your design, you’re setting yourself up to fail.

Innovation is significant positive change.

My intent is simply to know my material so well that I'm very comfortable with it. Confidence, not perfection, is the goal.

When I'm the speaker, I know that special moment [just before speaking] is the only time I will have the entire audience's full attention. Unless an alien spaceship crash-lands on stage midway through the talk, the silence before I begin is the most powerful moment I have. What defines how well I'll do starts with how I use the power of that moment.

People tell me this is obvious. But it's ok to be obvious. Knowing and doing are different. Many people know many obvious things they completely fail to do, despite their knowledge.

Anyone can criticize or accept praise, but initiating a positive exchange is a hallmark of a difference maker.

Most people doubt online meeting scan work, but they somehow overlook that most in person meetings don't work either.