What a row! 2 of the UK’s best known sports pundits have, or about to, been fired for being indiscreet while wearing microphones. I don’t much like soccer, and I don’t much like what I’ve seen of Richard Keys (for 20 years, Sky Sports’ anchor for soccer at the highest level), but I’ve always admired…
Here’s a collection of thoughts on the pursuit of brilliance. More of a ‘stake in the ground’ than a statement of fact, and I’d be delighted to get your views too. Brilliant presenters have to sacrifice- The warm feeling that not caring about how you were received can give you- You’ve got to care to…
Here’s a great clip from YouTube with Michelle Pfeiffer explaining how she got the most important role in her life- Elvira, in ‘Scarface’ with Al Pacino- It reminded me that- Acting is a very tough business. Constant rejection, sometimes hundreds of auditions without success and often with no feedback on why you didn’t get the…
You’ve got to love Vladimir Putin haven’t you? OK, Probably not. And maybe have some sympathy with him? OK, definitely not. But you have to admit that he is bloody funny. Asked to comment, in a generally testy press-conference, on China’s huffy fit about Liu Xiaobo receiving the Nobel Prize for Peace, (well he won’t actually receive it,…
I first read his book, ‘Our masters’ voices‘ when I was 22. If I’m honest, lots of it was beyond me then. But like great poetry, that you like the sound of, but don’t really ‘get’, I persevered, and learned more at each reading; as I matured and gained experience. At 22 years old, I…
I went to a speechwriter’s conference last year- The UK Speechwriter’s Guild event, in Bournemouth, and I saw Charles Crawford speak. I didn’t know of him and was intrigued and interested to find out that he’s a very experienced diplomat of the first rank. (Does one ever become an ex-diplomat?) His subject was fresh, full…
My name is James, it’s what my mother called me, it’s what my 2 sisters, my twin brother and my creaky old dad do too. I prefer James, but almost nobody asks before they call me Jim. I gave up trying to put people right years ago, but I do notice when someone bothers to…
I was a guest speaker at ‘Inside & Out’ yesterday. It was a networking event for London-based banks as a part of their diversity efforts. Its intention is simple. To recruit brilliant people, who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans-gender into the banking industry. Why? Because they want great people, whatever their sexuality….
A professional conference in the UK, 2010. Syndicate speakers, famous published author on communication, 200 seats, all attendees looking forward to pearls of wisdom and quotable quotes, high expectations. The audience began to assemble, sat where they thought they could, happy, chatting amongst themselves, waiting. Scheduled start time passed with no comment from the stage….