Happy New Year, from the Ignite CSP team!!

All the Ignite CSP coaches found a corner of their home, and in some cases, a buddy, to wish you a happy new year. Let’s go, 2021!!

So long, 2020.

Here’s what we sent you last year–a little song, and our heartfelt anticipation of being with you in 2020. When I look at these faces of 2019, I see people who had no idea what was right around the corner. But I also see people who stepped up to the many challenges, heartaches, and opportunities ... Continue Reading

Toasters, storytelling, and a little profanity

I was honored to be a guest on Craig Constantine’s podcast, Movers Mindset. Craig is a fascinating conversationalist whose interests are wide, and when he asked if I’d come on the podcast, I was thrilled. One of my favorite aspects of this interview was that Craig asks unusual questions, so even if you’ve heard me ... Continue Reading

Let’s create intentional connection in 2021.

This year has been trying and difficult in ways we couldn’t have foreseen this time last December. And it is crucial that when we’re faced with unusual challenges, we simplify our lives. Make things easy when we can—save our energy for the complexity we must handle. We all need some easy in our lives. But ... Continue Reading

Leslie Odom Jr, the USPS, and yeah I’m a little weepy

This commercial gets me every time. The committed postal workers, the homes nestled in snow, and the incomparable, inimitable voice of Leslie Odom Jr accompanying it all. A lovely minute of hope and light, people connecting across difficulty and difference by working together. I hope, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, you’re connected to ... Continue Reading

What’s beyond my point of view? (ENCORE)

’Im bringing this post back for an encore, nearly a year after I wrote it. For me, it’s both a relic of the world in January of this year (I was directing a play! In the same room with other people!), and a timely reminder that most of us are always looking at our own points ... Continue Reading

When you’re hiding

When your camera is off, you’re hiding. When you load your slides with text, letting them present instead of you, you’re hiding. When you’re mumbling and not making eye contact, you’re hiding. This is not a judgment. Far from it—what’s more interesting, and productive, than passing judgment is figuring out why some people, in some ... Continue Reading

Simple vs. complex slides

If you’re presenting with slides, remember this guideline. Either your visuals or your message can be complex, but not both. If your slide has a lot of data, several bullet points, or a complex graph, your job is to give your audience one or two simple, direct headlines to guide them to what is most ... Continue Reading

Point to the passer

The great Dean Smith, longtime head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heel basketball team, had a rule everyone who played for him followed. When you make a basket after getting a pass from a teammate, you point to the person who passed you the ball. This quick act of gratitude highlights what’s necessary to ... Continue Reading

Blank faces in rectangles looking back at me

In a recent meeting, a colleague shared that in the virtual events she has hosted, it takes twice as long for participants to be ready to participate verbally. “If we were in person, they’d be fully engaged by the coffee break. Now, sometimes it takes until the end of the first day for them to ... Continue Reading