I loved this email I received. Here’s why.

Thank you for the kind words about my On Point offering. Details, here. On Point is where we create your stand-out talk or workshop together in four focused sessions, so you’re ready and excited to take the stage at your industry conference, public lecture, or virtual webinar.

I was struck by an email comment from reader Eva—an accomplished educator and interpreter for the deaf, as well as a certificated family therapist and seasoned speaker.

She wrote: “What a great idea. I wish someone had done that for me years ago.”

I wanted to know more about that wish.

Long story short, Eva and I had a wonderful conversation, from which I’m sharing two key insights that I think will resonate with you. One this week, one next.

Each is offered as a way to shorten the learning curve of trial and error, so you can step to the front of the room, and feel professional, relaxed, and impeccably prepared.

Insight #1: The freeing power of structure.

In our conversation, Eva said she wished, above all, that she would have known more about outlining (or architecting) a speech. Structure, she came to realize, made the content sing.

Her first speeches had every word written down. “If I had a mentor, I could have developed a talk [with a structure] that allowed me to be extemporaneous…because that’s “when I became my own self and connected with the audience.” 

Eva then added this gorgeous piece of truth-telling that shows us why connection matters: "you can teach anything to anybody if you have a relationship with them."

Structure —> Freedom —> Connection —> Teaching + Transformation

While over many years, Eva got to this place, she sees with hindsight how she could have, with the benefit of a guide, arrived there more quickly.

I agree with Eva about the power of architecting a speech to create an extraordinary experience, for the speaker and audience. I would add that it's not an innate talent, but a skill—one you can learn, at any age, but were likely never taught.

Finding the right structure for your stand-out talk or workshop is one of the key pillars of my On Point Method. And it’s not cookie cutter. I think of your structure, instead, in terms of the healthy movement of a body: a supporting skeleton aligned and flexible, and custom-built to you.

So what would it mean for you, personally and professionally, to have a talk designed, from the get-go, with a structure (or architecture) that supports you and frees you to create extraordinary moments of connection— along with the ahas that change minds and behavior?

On Point is designed to do just that. And I’d love to help.