Deciding whether to "rent or own" the Elvis jumpsuit...choose wisely
Earlier this week, I was working with one of my Portico Communication Training coaching clients on an upcoming talk she was delivering to her firm's Executive Committee. This would be her first time speaking to the C-suite executives. She wanted to do well.
After about ten minutes, I took our conversation in a new direction.
Jackie, you are a joy to listen to. But you feel very robotic with your script and your gestures. I hereby give you license to "own the opening."
As I heard myself saying the word "own," I couldn't help but think about my visit to a costume shop in Atlanta, GA in November 1994. Some college friends and I were en route to Memphis (Elvis' home town) to see Allen Iverson's first ever college basketball game.
The clerk in the costume shop was very helpful as 5 of us selected our Elvis jumpsuits to wear to the game. My buddy Gui had just finished buying his jumpsuit at the counter, and I was faced with a decision: a 3-day rental for $48 or own it for $85.
In one of my life's biggest regrets, I rented.
Don't make my mistake when delivering the opening to your next presentation. Own it, don't rent it.