Blog – Page 2 – Gary Montgomery

Slow down for Success!

Posted On: 09-03-2015

One of the fastest ways to ruin a presentation is to talk too fast. (I guess you got that bit of humor)

You know the story. Starting too fast while sharing your message and you can’t slow down. You begin talking faster and faster. You know you’re doing it but you are unable to slow down. I’ve got a tip for that which I’ll share later, but first let’s stop the speed from picking up in the first place.

If you normally talk too fast, and you know who you are, practice by reading some material from a magazine, a book, newspaper, or Gary Montgomery’s blog. When you see a period, stop. When you see a comma, stop. When you see a semi-colon, or colon, stop. Stop for a count of five. You probably thought “five seconds, that’s too long!” I agree if you are reading to an audience but what you are doing is practicing and the best practice begins with exaggeration. Stop so that you recognize you are stopping and stepping out of what you normally do and you recognize you are learning something new.

To use an analogy from coaching kids in baseball and softball, I’ve had young players try to make the throw to first too fast. After a great catch on the ground ball, she rushes the throw and the runner is safe at first. We need to adjust thinking. So I teach them to pat their glove three times after catching the ground ball and count each pat, out loud (it’s usually slower when you say it out loud.) It gives her time to position her feet and see the target, the girl playing first base, before throwing. No we aren’t going to normally do that in a game (although some have) but this is learning. We need to exaggerate to learn.

Step number two is to start slow. Not just start talking slow but make the mental approach to the stage or the lectern slow. Think slow as you are introduced. Walk slowly to the front of the room. Speak slowly when you thank the person introducing you (be sure to get their name so you can share it. People are listening.)

As you face your audience and start to speak; wait. It may feel a little uncomfortable but use your five second count again, (not out loud this time.) Look left, look right, smile, feel your feet grounded on the floor or stage. Now you are ready to begin …s..l..o..w..l..y. Know what words you are going to use. I’ve seen many start talking at this point and not know where they are going. Know your open, your story, know what you are trying to accomplish in the open. Your slow start and intentional pauses will put you at ease and your audience will be comfortable because you are comfortable.

And here’s the tip I promised in case it happens that you do begin talking too fast and feel you can’t slow down; just stop. Try to make it appear you are stopping on purpose. Perhaps a drink if you have water nearby (if not you should). Attempt to find a reason to pause in your presentation; stop to draw attention to a particular word or point you are making. Make the stop feel like a pause for effect. But even if you are unable to have a reason to stop, just stop; smile and breathe. It might look a little irregular but it is better than gasping for air and becoming anxious because you are going too fast and can’t slow down.

Bottom line: prepare. Think slow, start slow, and get comfortable being with a group of people who need to hear your message.

A lot more great ideas at Gary’s presentation skills seminar coming up in Louisville, KY, September 17, 2015, “Making Magic in the Front of the Room..” For more information go to www.icanplay.com/magic, or call Gary at 502.339.0040.

Givers and Takers

Posted On: 08-18-2015

I am reading a book my son gave me recently. It’s titled “Give and Take” about helping others as we travel the path to success.

If you’ve read any of my blogs, or my book “I CAN PLAY, A Philosophy for Life,” or if you have attended one of my presentations, you know I teach the “Giver” side of “Give and Take.” Why? It simply makes life better for you and all who surround you.

My definition of leadership is very simple. Leadership comes alive when someone feels better about who they are because they were influenced by you! Think about it. Who from your past, or present, has influenced you to think better of yourself? Perhaps it’s a fifth-grade teacher, or a band director, maybe a volleyball or football coach? Of course there’s Mom and Dad. They influenced you to think better of yourself from something they did or said. Because of that positive influence, you want more of them. That’s the Gary Montgomery definition of leadership.

Let’s apply this approach to presentations to an audience from in front of the room.

I was a television sportscaster for over 30 years. To be honest I did not understand this philosophy, or approach. I thought I was special because I was the one on T.V. I was the one people invited to speak to their audiences. I was special because I was in the front of the room …or so I thought. It took awhile but eventually I learned that I had it all wrong. I was a Taker.

I needed to become a Giver.

Instead of saying “Here I Am!” when I showed up to give a presentations, I needed to learn to say, and think, “There You Are!” It changed everything. I made the audience more important in my life. I was to serve them by giving them a message which could help them grow.

Today I work to carry that lesson to all parts of life. With my grandchildren, my children, my wife, the 8th graders I teach on Sunday mornings, the kids I coach, and everyone else I connect with during the day. I’ve got a long way to go, but I am working and improving on the “There You Are” philosophy. It’s a giving philosophy. It’s a listening, helping, growing, guiding philosophy. And here comes the amazing part. Once you and I help others realize how good they can be, they want more of us. We help them feel good about themselves.

That’s Leadership … “There You Are!”

We’ll make the “There You Are!” philosophy come alive when you join me for the “Making Magic in the Front of the Room,” presentation seminar coming up September 17. We’ll share great techniques on how to build your message, share your ideas, and feel comfortable during your presentation. We will grow as ‘givers’ helping our audiences feel better about themselves as they learn from you. A TAKE-away for you is you will grow in learning how to “Make Magic in the Front of the Room.” Developing your leadership skills will occur as you improvce your presentation technique.

Go to www.icanplay.com/magic to register for the presentation skills seminar. Bring a friend or co-worker and register early!

Alway Learning

Posted On: 08-08-2015

I learned a lot when I watched the Republican candidates debate. I learned a few things about issues and politics but mostly I learned about communication.

I liked the energy most of the candidates showed up with. You’ve read how important energy is in communication from previous posts. Most candidates showed excitement.

What attracted my attention most in the debate was Donald Trump. First let me get this out of the way. I don’t agree with many of his comments. Often he is somewhat disruptive, arrogant, and boisterous. He makes some good points, but other comments he made need some fine tuning, or just left unsaid.

But what I want to point out is this: He believes what he says and you know he believes it. He is confident in his beliefs and he is comfortable in sharing what he knows to be true.

Following the debate I heard reporters talk about Trump’s performance. Some agree with him, others are opposed. But I’ve not heard anyone say, “Well, I’m not sure what he meant.” He knows what he believes and he is not afraid to tell us what he believes.

I like the “know what you believe” approach to communication and to life. In fact I like it so much I believe it, I teach it, and I work hard to live it.

I work with companies and organizations who want to improve their teams and their managers. I teach communication and leadership. The first thing I teach is to know what you believe. I am going to share some questions I have shared in past blogs, questions you ask yourself in order to know what you believe. These beliefs become your compass. They direct you in life.

Here we go with the questions:

Who am I? What do I believe? What are my values? What are my talents? What am I doing with my talents? What are my goals? What holds me back?

Good questions that become difficult questions once we focus and work to answer them. Try it. Answer them, write down your responses, and life will get easier because you know who you are, you decide where you are going (based on values, talents and goals) and you know how you will get there once you get whatever it is that holds you back out of the way.

Simple questions, difficult answers. However your life will get easier once you identify the answers.

This questioning process is what I present early in teaching leadership and communication. The key ingredients of a successful presentation is knowledge, confidence, and an effective process to deliver the message (communication.process).

The speaker has, or can get, the knowledge to share. I can teach an effective communication process but the confidence and trust needs to be part of the presenter. But don’t worry, like communication skills, the path to confidence can be learned, earned and internalized.

And the wonderful by-product of confidence and self-belief is when someone asks you a question you don’t have to try and come up with a new idea, or one that they will like. You very simply share what you know to be true, your beliefs. It makes life so much easier and it makes communication easier. You share the truth as you know it. Just share who you are and what you believe. It’s your message!

As we grow as communicators, or presenters, we learn to become comfortable in sharing. That comfort shows up in front of our children, our co-workers, or the audience of one-hundred you are addressing because you know what you believe. Your beliefs of course will influence your message, but that’s OK because you are confident of your message, you’ve worked on it. You spent time with the questions.

I’ll help you learn how to present it, but the hard part is over. You know what you believe. You know your message.

Join me September 17, 2015 to grow as a communicator and leader and to deeper your self-trust and confidence. Learn more about the seminar “Making Magic in the Front of the Room” by going to www.icanplay.com/magic. The room will be full of energy and people just like you, investing in themselves as communicators and leaders.

Energy

Posted On: 08-03-2015

I can’t help it! I get excited when I have the opportunity to help someone grow. Even when I can’t understand them fully.

Working with eighth graders in religious education, teaching ten-year old to catch a baseball, or working with adults on how to make a presentation in front of the room, it’s exciting to see someone grow! And the excitement is often contagious. Once someone steps into the the energy zone they become more spirited and energetic.

I attended a retreat recently and I did not understand a word that was said. The retreat was presented by a native of India and he spoke in his native tongue. He and I have been working together to improve his use of the English language. He is doing great but I thought it would be a benefit for me to see him in his comfort zone, speaking his language, and seeing how he uses his body mechanics and the atmosphere he creates while in his comfort zone.

While I did not understand the native Indian language I learned a lot about his communication style and techniques. When he spoke in his native tongue he was more energized and animated than when he speaks in English. Of course, he was more comfortable.

That taught me about comfort. It is a strong message for all of us. Get comfortable in what you say and how you say it. Believe it! Believe that it will help others! Believe that what you say has value! Believe that it is worth hearing by others. Believe that it will help someone, somehow, someway! When you know your message has value you will share it more readily and with more confidence. You will work harder to be sure the audience understand exactly what you mean and what you feel about the message. The words are coming alive and being influenced by your actions.

I am going to work with my friend to get comfortable in a new language and I want him to understand that his message, although it might be a little difficult to comprehend because of the challenge of a new language, nonetheless it needs to be delivered with the energy that lives inside him. Let it out! That is part of who he is and how he presents. Go past the doubt that the different language presents. Share the energy, the audience will get the meaning even thought they might not comprehend each syllable. They will piece it together, the words and the action, the smile and facial expression , and they will receive the intended message.

September 17, you are invited to grow your presentation skills. You will learn how to boost the energy level when you communicate, to a large audience, or to an audience of one. Even if it’s to your spouse, daughter, son, or co-worker, the energy you bring creates the atmosphere of the message. When we speak, our purpose is to be understood. We want that atmosphere to help the meaning of the presentation come alive! The “Making Magic in Front of the Room” seminar will help you grow as a presenter and a communicator!

Go to www.icanplay.com/magic to learn more about the seminar and to be sure to reserve your seat.

Look forward to seeing you, and seeing your excitement September 17, 2015 at Indiana Wesleyan – 1500 Alliant Avenue, Louisville- 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

When you register for the seminar you can also sign to make a five-minute presentation and have it critiqued during the seminar. It’s a great way to learn for the presenter and those in the audience.

To register go to: www.icanplay.com/magic

Grow as a Communicator & Leader

Posted On: 07-30-2015

I help people understand they can be better than they think they can be. It’s really simple. It’s the I CAN PLAY formula. Change you VISION to look past the obstacles in front of you. Start living in a POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE, start saying yes and quit doubting yourself, and try new things, RISK, stretch yourself to think, learn and live differently. If you need help, guidance, a coach, go get the help, guidance, or coach. The help is out there.

I often work with individuals who are challenged about public speaking. They say they can’t get in front of people and give a presentation. It holds them back in the work place and in other areas of life. Strength as a communicator will help in all areas of life and strong communicators displays a confidence that carries over all area of leadership in career and throughout all walks of life.

I was a television sportscaster for over thirty years. I used to believe that I became a sportscaster because of my knowledge of sports. Today I know different. I did what I loved for thirty years in a career as a sportscaster because of my ability as a communicator. Of course I had a knowledge of sports, and was confidence in my self, but it was the ability to communicate and make the audience comfortable that allowed me the joy of spending my life a career that I loved. And the fact that I was confident as a communicator helped in all parts of my life. That confidence carried over to help me pursue other risks. Risks that paid dividends for my wife Judy, my children and grand children. Communication, in front of a large audience, a business gathering, or in front of your wife and children, is one of the keys to peace of mind, comfort and success.

So what does it take to grow as a communicator? Is it a God-given gift, or can it be taught. I am a prime example that it can be taught and I will share the keys to growing as a communicator at my Seminar coming up September 17, 2015. I invite you to explore the possibilities at my website, www.icanplay.com/magic. You will grow as a communicator and grow in confidence of what you can achieve in all areas of life. Email me if you have questions. coachgary@icanplay.com

Step up to grow yourself! Go to www.icanplay.com/magic and call, mail, or use Paypal to register.
Some of the components of the the seminar are:

How to prepare for a presentation.
How to build a speech.
How to overcome stage fright.
How to open a presentation.
How to make the presentation your own sharing your message throughout.
Front of the room techniques.
Incorporate stories.
How to be comfortable, professional and engage the audience.
How to move the audience to action.
How to close and leave impact on the audience.

www.icanplay.com/magic

When do you quit?

Posted On: 02-06-2015

When do you quit?

I just completed a presentation with a small company. It was about Leadership and Teamership but I included a splash of goal setting in the event. My goal is to help others think about what kind of leader they can be but the audience always is in charge. They hear what I say but their minds take them where they need to go.

Following the presentation one of the employees of the establishment that hosted the event came up to me and said, “I needed to hear your message. You were put here just for me. I didn’t want to come in to work this event but I found myself taking plenty of notes on the other side of the bar.” He explained he did not follow his dream in the past and it has haunted him for long time.

Here’s what he heard … “it’s never too late!”

My son Troy was running in his first marathon. It was a warm day in Chicago, going to get up to 80 degrees. Troy had trained all summer for this special October day. He was prepared and he was doing very well, not with a chance of winning, but he was going to finish the 26 plus mile adventure.

Late in the race the warm temperatures started getting to him. He was tired. His legs were heavy. He was hot. He was thirsty. He took water at every opportunity. As the race stretched on he slowed down more and more to drink the water. The more he slowed, the more he thought about stopping, about quitting. But he kept talking to himself. “Don’t stop Troy. It will be too difficult getting started again.” He pushed forward.

Finally he did stop. He took a bottle of water from a helper and slowed to a walk, then to a halt. Negative thoughts raced through his mind. “Give it up, or just walk to the finish line. Just finishing will be great. I ran most of the way.” His attitude had changed from the first time he decided to run a marathon. In the summer he had energy and excitement pushing him to train. His thinking was different now that fatigue set in. Who was it that said “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Troy was thinking, maybe it was Confucius, maybe Lombardi, perhaps it was Dad. Whoever thought of it was right on!

It was then that Troy was jolted from his thoughts of quitting. “Hey,” a police officer shouted. The cop was leaning on a barricade. “How long have you trained for this race?” Troy replied, “Started in June.” The police officer shook his head and said, “You mean you trained for four months and you’re going to walk to the finish line?”

Troy perked up. Finish line?

The police officer smiled, “It’s just around the corner. You might want to pick up the pace a little bit.”

Troy sprinted to the finish line. It was still October but his mind raced back to that day in June when he decided to try something he’s never done before. He had renewed energy. The excitement returned. The passion was back. He had come too far to quit! He just needed to adjust his thinking.

How about you? When do you quit? When is it time to just walk the rest of your life and leave the dream out there for someone else?

Or have you come too far to quit?

The Juice

Posted On: 07-25-2014

There’s a guy in the gym, nice guy, but he keeps to himself. At least he did not talk with me. He trains people and he keeps an intense look on his face. Better do what he says!

One day a young lady was next to me on the treadmills. She shouted down to the ‘intense’ trainer on the workout fl0or below. “Is that a new shirt?” She got an intense head nod in the affirmative. ” I like it!” she shouted above the noise of the TV. Mr. Intense smiled. He smiled at her! Didn’t know he could do that. So I yelled out “I like it too!” It was a nice purple. He looked at me like he wanted to take my head off. No smile. Intense!

A couple of days later I was in one of the workout rooms talking to a friend. Mr. Intense stepped into the large room and asked if he and his client could use some equipment in the room. When he came in I said “Mr. Intense”, (not his real name), “the other day a pretty young lady said she liked your new shirt. You smiled at her. I said I also liked the shirt and you looked upset that I talked to you. What’s up?”

Mr. Intense smiled. Second time I’ve see that. Looked good! But no verbal response.

In future encounters Mr. Intense and I would pass each other and say hello. It escalated to “How’s it going today?” Then we moved to sentences and paragraphs. Truth be told, I enjoyed Mr. Intense quite a bit. So then I asked him. Why the intense look all the time? “It’s the persona,” he said. “I want people to know I’m serious.”

Mr. Intense was a college football player. He was a talented defensive end and there is no doubt in my mind that it was serious business when he mixed it up on the football field. Intense. But he didn’t have to frown for someone to understand he was serious. He just knocked them on their butt! He got results!

With that understanding as a guideline I attempted an analogy between what he did and what he is doing.

” Mr. Intense, the gym is not the football field and you don’t have to frown for someone to understand you mean business in helping them develop their body. Just share your skills with them, give them value and make them better. Get the results!” He was still looking pretty serious. “And you can smile while you do it. In fact they might like you more and that would make it easier for them to follow your intense workout. Encourage them with positive reinforcement and work in a smile and a ‘way to go!’ now and then.”

He didn’t hit me after I called him out. Instead he sat back and looked at me like he was thinking about what I shared. That’s what great players do. They listen to the coach and then figure out how they are going to incorporate this new information into a game plan and then results. Mr. Intense is a smart guy.

The next time we were in the gym together Mr. Intense walked up and said “Hey you got it!”

“Got what ?” I asked. “You got the juice, ” he said.

“The juice?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “You got the energy … the excitement.” He smiled.

Mr. Intense knows what he’s doing making people better in the gym. And now he’s sharing the energy, excitement, and the smile to add even more value to the value he brings. He’s bringing the Juice! And when you bring the Juice, it’s easier to get to the results! It becomes your persona… it becomes who you are, and clients, and everyone else, will listen and respond to your suggestions when you add a little juice along with the instruction.

Speak Up!

Posted On: 07-19-2014

Let’s call him Bill. He was up in years. Retired, he was a person who people catered to but now he was soliciting help in his many service projects. He wanted them to listen to him. But he mumbled, and spoke softly. In the past Bill got away with the mumbling because he was the boss. They had to listen. Now he wanted others to listen but there was no requirement. Bill asked me to help him with his communication skills.

I had him stand deep in the corner of the room and I stood in the opposite corner and told him to talk to me. He said I won’t be able to hear him. I asked ”So what will you need to do?”

Bill replied, “I’ll have to yell for you to hear me.”

“So yell,” I said.

Folks, we were making progress. Bill vocalized what he needed to do. Next was doing what was needed to do.

Bill started to speak up, but it wasn’t loud enough.

“Louder,” I encouraged.

He spoke louder, but not loud enough. What I wanted him to do was shout. Go past what he needed. Bill needed to understand what the extreme was, way past what he needed to do.

“How about this? Can you hear me now?” He proclaimed.

“Louder,” I shouted at him.

“How about this? I am screaming at the top of my lungs!”

“You’re getting closer,” I smiled because he was getting closer, “Just a little louder.”

I wanted Bill to experience the extreme, what it felt like to be extremely loud.

In addition to increasing volume some other things were happening. Bill’s posture improved. By trying to project his head was up, shoulders back. He stood taller and he was leaning forward. These are positive communication techniques, which are immediately improved by attempting to project, which Bill identified as getting louder. But in addition to louder, Bill was using better communication techniques and his pace improved. He was speaking slowly and separating his words. He was bringing energy!

Although we did not talk about it, the mumbling, throwing words together, went away because of the better techniques Bill was using as he spoke louder.

A key for Bill is to speak up. We started to use the ‘yelling’ practice to identify the skills needed to make Bill think louder, so that he would speak louder!

Not long after we started working together I was at a function with Bill and his family, which included grandchildren. His grandson told me how, for the first time, he was able to understand his grandfather when they visited. He said he talks louder and slower.

Bill was building for a speaking event. He had donated to a project with a Church organization and was being honored. Some heavyweights were there, the mayor, Archbishop, politicians, and many other distinguished guests. Bill gave his speech. He did a great job. He slowed down, enunciated, used great communication posture, head up, and shoulders back. He was great!

Bill called the other day. Said he spoke at a rotary. Members of the audience said they couldn’t hear him. I asked, “Did you project?” He said he forgot. Communication is something we need to practice all day, every day 24-7. We need to make great communication part of who we are, not what we do. Otherwise we forget. That’s just the ways it is. Speak up!

Energy

Posted On: 06-21-2014

Just finished speaking at a youth leadership conference in Texas. Over three-hundred high school seniors learning life skills. It is a powerful experience to be a part of! I cherish the opportunity to work with them.

Texas Farm Bureau sponsors the event each year and I am honored to work with the young women and men on their presentation skills and then speak to them at their closing banquet. If you have read my blogs in the past you know I want them to live life with an I CAN PLAY attitude. It’s a simple process to step into self- belief and start living successfully instead of looking for success.

Each morning of the conference the leaders and counselors hosted a motivation session. It gets the young people fired up and energized. I like it! What a great idea for everyone to start the day fired up and energized! The counselors took the lead with upbeat music, line dancing hosted by a different youth team each day, beach balls batted all over the auditorium, and the counselors patrolling to encourage everyone to participate.

I thought about you and me. What do we do to start the day? I bet we don’t plan our day with motivation being the first event. Perhaps if something good happens we get a little excited and the day starts off pretty good, but we wait for it to happen. What I’m talking about is to plan for a great day and start it off with energy…with motivation.

Some of you do. Your first event of the day is going to the gym. You get the blood flowing and the energy level moving up. Good idea. Some of you hit the outdoors for a walk. I like it! Physical activity and an opportunity to start generating the positive ideas for the day .. get the brain working!! Others step into prayer and devotion. A great motivator to put life and everything about it in order and perspective. Thank God for the people in our lives and the gifts and opportunities He has for us. Some read inspirational book in addition to the bible. Get the juices going!

Even if you already begin your day with prayer, a walk, inspirational reading or hitting the gym, make your first thought before you leave the house …MOTIVATION. Like the young leaders I met. Turn the music up, and then up a little more. Put some energy in your step, dance your way to the car or the bus stop! Hit that ball into the air, and take a smile with you.

Here’s my final thought. Bring energy and motivation with you wherever you go. If you don’t bring it with you might not find it when you get there. There’s a lot of negativity floating around. Put motivation at the top of your list. First thing! Everyday!

Life Lessons

Posted On: 05-08-2014

Some of life’s lessons are more difficult to learn than others. The ones that add to your value, that make you feel better about yourself are welcome and motivating. But there are other life lessons. The ones where you don’t look so good. The lesson that shows you that you need to change and get rid of a negative behavior. The lesson where you see yourself as others see you … and you don’t like what you see.

Happened to me recently. I was involved in an episode with a friend who sometimes rubs me the wrong way. His behavior triggers something within me that causes me to judge him and his actions. We were together at an event and he stepped up and did something which was offensive to me. He did it purposefully to ridicule me.

I thought about it for a couple of days and felt it needed to be confronted. I did. I asked him about his previous behavior and shared that I thought it was unacceptable. I thought we could handle this like grown-ups. (thinking it was he who needed to act more mature.) However once I brought the matter to the forefront I was the one who felt child-like.

He mentioned two words that went straight to my soul. “Gary”, he said, “you act like you need confidence when you are around me by the way you treat me and what you say.” He wasn’t finished. “We don’t need to judge each other.” I wasn’t ready for him to take the offensive. I though I was going to be the one straightening everything out and facilitating the conversation.

My first thought was get back on the offensive. Explain the situation and how he prompted the actions and the irritation. That’s what I did. But he kept saying things that made me think differently. Things that made me think I was wrong.

He was right. I needed to listen.

The truth is, we talked and although we said we forgive and we will start over in the relationship, we walked away with that awkward feeling like it’s not really resolved. It was only later, when I could not get rid of the discomfort and the pain in my gut that I started being honest with myself.

I did treat him poorly in this relationship and have been doing it for years. For whatever reason, a need for superiority, lack of confidence in myself, a dis-like of his behavior, whatever the reason I did not treat him the way I treat others. The basic truth is I need to just love the guy for who he is.

Life lessons are tough! Especially when someone holds a mirror up for you and you don’t like what you see. I am going to work to adjust that image I saw and experienced recently. The first step for this most recent lesson is to allow people to be who they are and quit judging them.