A Lesson From Michael Jackson

It's still shocking to me - the news of the passing of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Learning of his demise left me shocked and speechless. "How?" "Why?" "When?" were the questions that floated through my mind as a colleague broke the news to me.

I spent a good portion of the evening talking to relatives about his sudden death, watching news segments about his life achievements and challenges, and reminiscing on how his work and talent had touched my life.

The one thing that was a constant in all of the reports about Michael Jackson was his commitment and perfection for his work.

That message reminded me of a story that I had heard Nelson George relay in an NPR interview a couple of weeks ago. Nelson George shared a story about an interview he had had with Quincy Jones years ago in which they discussed the difference between the success of Michael Jackson and another artist, who, in Nelson George's opinion, was just as talented as Michael Jackson. In essence, according to Nelson George, Quincy Jones said that the reason why Michael Jackson was so successful was because he had "ass power."

"Ass power," I said out loud with a laugh as I turned the radio up a notch louder so that I could hear what was to come next.



"Ass power," from what I understood Quincy Jones' meaning to be was nothing more than the ability to stay the course, put in the time, and remain focused in order to get things done, in which Michael Jackson seemed to do whether he was in the studio, on the stage, or behind the scenes.

"Ass power," in my opinion, was a clever way of saying "have focus, be goal-oriented, exhibit fortitude, and maintain discipline," traits that all successful people seem to exhibit.

I was so amused by Quincy's phrase that I told my boyfriend, "I've got to find a way to work that into a speech."

Well, I haven't written a speech about it, yet, so I'm posting this blog instead.

As an entrepreneur, I have found myself exhibiting "ass power" on several occasions, on which, I have found myself hitting the mark and achieving success.

As I continue to run my training and consulting business and broaden my reputation as a speaker, trainer, and author, I will follow the King of Pops lead and continue to exude "ass power."

Although I am saddened that he is no longer here, I feel truly blessed to have been inspired and motivated by Michael Jackson's music, as well, as his focus, fortitude, discipline, and goal-oriented nature.

I thank him for leaving me with a legacy of "ass power" that I can emulate, exude and exhibit in my own line of business as well as in my life.

Thank you Michael Jackson.

Can You Communicate, Lead, or Both?

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

That statement was spoken on Tuesday night by Angela Moustis, a fellow Toastmasters member, as we both were completing the last of 10 speeches to receive the Advanced Communicator Bronze (Angela) and Advanced Communicator Silver (me) awards.

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

That statement struck a chord in mostly everyone in the room and became one of the most memorable lines of the night.

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

Angela reminded us that corporations, organizations, associations, and communities need "Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate."

As Angela continued to deliver her speech, "Take the Credit You Deserve," I processed the question she had posed to us, "How many of you knew that you were joining Toastmasters to improve your leadership skill"?

My hand was one of few to be raised.

Although I knew that Toastmasters International was an organization to help build strong communicators, I was more interested in joining Toastmasters to boost my confidence and strengthen my abilities as a leader.

I had considered myself to be a "background leader," meaning, I was very, very comfortable with being behind the scenes in a committee member position or even vice president role, instead of in the limelight as the president, helping the president or chair to lead the group toward its mission and goals.

As my undergraduate years came to an end and I transitioned into the professional world as an Administrative Assistant, I found that stepping into the limelight was a must if I was to succeed in my career.

The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign helped to boost my awareness of my need to be a leader as well as a communicator and my committee experiences there helped to build my comfort level in accepting and fulfilling leadership roles. However, it would be my membership in Toastmasters International that would truly move me from "background leader" to "leader in the limelight."

Since my 11-year membership with Toastmasters International, I've had the privilege of seeing my leadership skills develop and prosper. I formed my own company a year after joining Toastmasters and have been serving as President, Founder and CEO ever since. In addition, I held leadership roles at the club ( Club President, Vice President Education, Vice President Membership, Vice President Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms), area (Area Governor), division (Division Governor), and district levels ( Youth Leadership Co-Coordinator, Spring Conference 2001 Co-Chair, and Fall Conference 2002 Chair) with District 30 Chicagoland Toastmasters. Plus, I've held the leadership roles of Administration and Communications Coordinator and Culminating Event Logistics Chair for the G.R.A.C.E. Program.

Out of all the leadership roles I've fulfilled and leadership goals I've accomplished, the one that speaks the loudest for me is serving as Sponsor and Mentor for the Wrightwood-Ashburn Overcomers (WAO) Toastmasters Club, #771880 in Chicago. I've had a chance to see in me what Angela meant about "Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate" because I was able to lead and communicate a brand new club into existence. I was able to form a brand new club with people who had never been in Toastmasters before and lead them toward communication certifications, membership growth, and leadership development. Under my leadership, I was able to lead WAO to Select Distinguished Club in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009, all for a club that's only been around since March 2005.

"Communicators who can lead and leaders who can communicate" is not a phrase that describes only my personal journey, it embodies my professional journey as well.

Communication and leadership are two essential skills that are needed in all aspects and arenas of life. If you find that you must fine-tune one of these areas, consider using Toastmasters International as I did.

It's Attitude - Of Course!

What can help you to better manage the stresses of life? What can take you from inactivity to activity? What can give you the focus you need to deal with the challenges you face? What can help you turn low-levels of productivity to high-levels of productivity?

If you guessed, "ATTITUDE", you are correct.

Attitude is the mental device that filters reality for you. It molds and shapes what you believe about the people, places, things, and events of your life. Since your attitude leads to outcomes in your life, you want to focus on the positive and productive.

The next time you're dealing with issues, challenges, obstacles, or problems that seem not to be working out or going away, check your attitude. Pointing your attitude in the direction of positivity can lead you toward greater levels of productivity.