January 28, 2025

This week, thanks to the?Virginia Council of CEOs,?I heard Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speak. As a follower of politics, it was neat to be up close with arguably the most recognized Governor in the country.??

But it's not my first brush with governors.?

When I was a third-grader, Jay Rockefeller was on a campaign tour in rural West Virginia. He stopped at good 'ol Wharton Grade School and had a few words for us kids. Even better, his interaction with us was held on the outdoor basketball court (we didn't have a gym),?and?he chose me from the group to play one-on-one basketball for a minute or two!?Looking back with clearer eyes, it was a photo op to show how much the future Governor cared about the forgotten places of the Mountain State.?

I had yet another brush with gubernatorial fame when catching a late afternoon flight from Reagan Airport to Charleston, WV. I was enjoying an empty seat to my left when a harried passenger came running in just before the door was closed. Dang it! No more empty seat.?

We said hello, and then I realized who he was. It was Bob Wise, a member of the House of Representatives. He had just announced his run for Governor. Congressman Wise settled into his seat and then took out a legal pad. He starts furiously scribbling, pausing occasionally for deep reflection—then more furious writing.?

This is so cool,?I thought.?I bet he is literally mapping out his campaign strategy, and I'm witness to it! Amazing!?I was trying to be nonchalant and not interrupt this obviously important endeavor.?

After a while, I managed to sneak a casual glance at his notes.?

Gallon of Milk Eggs Pancake Mix Bread And so on...

To say that I was let down is an understatement.?

Gov. Youngkin did not let me down. I saw a masterclass in how to deliver a speech.?

• He had the speech?down pat.?It was likely a stump speech he'd delivered many times, but there were no teleprompters, clumsy note cards, or forays down rabbit holes.?
• He told stories like the advice he got from an old friend in Virginia Beach and Sunday drives from his childhood in Bon Air around the campus of the University of Richmond.?
• He was easy to follow. "I have four pillars that I think about when making decisions." I could see others at my table grab their pen to take notes. Helping the audience organize what they are hearing is key to being a good public speaker.
• He spoke in simple language. In front of a group of CEOs, trying to be impressive and share the finer details of legislation and plans would have been easy. He didn't. He spoke in a language that a fifth-grader could follow.??

Undoubtedly, part of Gov. Youngkin's success is tied to his public speaking skills. You can have a compelling vision and wonderful ideas, but it's a real hindrance if you can't communicate them to larger groups of people.?

If you are one of the 75% of people who fear public speaking, I encourage you to make it a priority. In my career, I've noticed that the folks who can comfortably stand and deliver often get the promotions, the opportunities, and the satisfaction of impacting others.?

You might even be the governor someday.?

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The Huddle?is a weekly newsletter that is designed for leaders. Leaders must be learners. There is never a?moment?when leaders arrive. It's a never-ending growth process. I hope this can be a resource that you can use to stay sharp and share with your team.?

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With that, here are some things I ran across this week.?

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Trophies lose their luster -?I spoke with a friend and former colleague this week about sales and what it takes to be great. One of the things that came up was the idea that the best people in sales have a purpose; they have a compelling "why" that motivates them to show up as their best each day. Maybe it's a conviction about their product and how it improves the world. It could be to save money for a house or their children's education. However, with top performers, there seems to be a "spark" not found in others.?

This spark is internal and personal. The plaque on the wall, the public recognition, and the accolades are nice, but it's not enough.?

And?if you won a Bronze Medal in the Paris Olympics, this is?especially?true!?

Just say no -?I was working with some clients this week, and we discussed goals. Goals are tricky.?

Should we have them? Of course. It's hard to hit a target you can't see. Goals give you direction. Goals help you be more intentional and purposeful. Research backs it up.?

But sometimes, I can get so excited about having goals that I have too many. Here's what is typical for me: I have a few goals for business growth, a couple of learning and personal growth goals, and throw in a couple of fitness goals and...

It could be that having too many goals is as bad as no goal.

I love this story about Warren Buffett's advice to his private pilot.?

When grievances spill into the workplace -??Have you noticed that people have a lot of grievances these days? When employees bring this tension into the workplace, it creates drama. And drama is not what you are likely in business to produce.?

Our culture has descended to us vs. them, woke vs. fascists, oppressed vs the oppressors, and all sorts of other tribes.?This article offers some thoughts about dealing with these sorts of disputes when they enter the workplace.?

In a book I recently read, the authors advised business leaders who are concerned about this topic to:

1. Hire from various backgrounds, not just people who fit the same profile.?
2. Define what you stand for. Don't wait until it's too late. You get what you tolerate.
3. Face problems in small groups. Keep things personal. Avoid company-wide "talk back" meetings like the plague. These often build momentum from a few aggrieved employees who go in the wrong direction.
4. Make sure HR is on the same page as you.?
5. Practice what you preach. Err on the side of grace and forgiveness.?

Success is a razor's edge endeavor -?If you are one of our clients, you have likely seen this video.?It's a "chalk talk" from legendary football coach Bear Bryant. Lots of lessons for leaders!?

A quote to leave you with?

Have a good week!