When they ask me how I knew that my true love is true ...

About me, the short version: I love seeing people reach their dreams. I love helping them do it.

And I can't stand seeing an awesome idea and beautiful brand that could give real value to people's lives failing without good communication practices ... 

The moral: Life teaches us that nobody can do it all alone. Successful people have figured out that it's essential to set up great communication in every organization and relationship ...

If you want to keep that organization or relationship and make it awesome!

My Story?

I come from small town in the middle of rural California. Not too far back, my father's side had immigrated from Norway. We still keep in touch with our cousins in the "old country".

Meanwhile, in the US, we became a family of readers, talkers, and teachers.

Two uncles were professors of history. Another aunt and uncle taught kids. My dad started teaching in the late 60s, a time when teachers gave activities designed to increase our self-awareness and individualism ...  

So I grew up with a strong interest in history, language and psychology. I loved writing and art ...

But there's more. 

All my life, I saw my father shouldering the responsibility of being a teacher. He took a job in the poorest county of the state, where he thought he could help kids the most. His siblings joined him.

In both his personal life and his career, my father became a pillar of stability for others. I deeply admired that, and I still do.

Nonetheless ... while growing up, I was a very shy boy!

I couldn't imagine myself having the high level of confidence my dad and older relatives had as teachers ...

Of course, all young people face this same lack of confidence, deep down, whether they can admit it or not. And just like so many young people, I also masked my insecurities with sarcasm, pretending not to care.

The truth is, I didn't believe in myself enough to believe that other people could believe in me!

I was young. I had such little life experience. I had so few accomplishments compared to others. Etc., etc.

Deep down, I doubted that anybody would care what I had to say.

So, after five years of study in psychology and barely a nibble at the teaching profession, I decided to venture out into the world of business instead!

I actually thought it might be easier talking about other people's products than learning how to teach the subjects I cared about!

Strange idea, isn't it?

In fact, I believe the complete opposite nowadays.

But hindsight is 20/20. A person with less experience can't make decisions the same way as a person with more experience. 

Sometimes, though, it all works out ...

🔸

Without realizing it, I had put myself in a situation which was the opposite of what made me feel comfortable.

And slow it dawned on me what I had done ... I had put myself in a position where I had to talk to people!

How?

I became a salesman!

I sold insurance and securities, and eventually real estate, in the highly regulated industries of California.

And, to my surprise, I found these subjects were all very interesting!

From the history and legal development of these industries to the psychology of buying and serving people by solving their problems — Yes, it was all extremely interesting ...

But it sure wasn't easier, as you can guess! In fact, because I still lacked so much confidence, it was terrible at first. 

Trying to talk to anyone about what I was selling felt like torture. I felt so fake. I felt so ridiculous. I felt like a complete loser.

I wanted to give up.

But I've never been good at giving up. For better or worse, that's a skill I definitely lack talent in. 

So I just kept trying. On and on, wondering what my life was really all about.

And that's what set me up for an even bigger surprise ... 

🔸

By challenging myself in this way, I had opened a door in my perception.

Seeing my own struggle every day, I became more aware of the struggles other people were going through.

You see, it was while I was in sales, as I was struggling to overcome my own fears (so I could pay the bills!), that a realization came to me that changed everything:

Salesmanship is a form of teaching.

Helping my clients make informed decisions, helping them decide what they really needed to add value to their lives, was akin to what my family was doing in classrooms.

This realization broadened my perspective. I saw that managers, too, are teachers, guiding their teams to success.

Leadership, by setting an example, is teaching.

As I advanced to managerial roles myself, I faced my lack of confidence head-on. I discovered that teaching is also a profound learning experience. 

I learned how so many others in leadership were struggling with communication, just as I was.

Each of these persons had so much insight and experience ... but they were so often frustrated while trying to make their beautiful and useful vision into a reality that the people in their organization really cared about. 

It was tragic, really, considering how hard they tried.

This observation led me to a conclusion which, in time, became my mission:

Improving communication can unlock the potential of countless individuals and organizations.

🔸

This was proved to me after I was invited to teach Business Communication in the MBA programs at an AACSB-accredited business school in Thailand.

And again, serving as personal secretary to a senior officer of the Royal Thai Navy, assisting with reorganization of the national maritime security communications center, to improve regional cooperation against crimes at sea such as piracy.

Of course, it was also incredible diving into another culture, teaching there, learning the language, and learning how to do business in another land ...

It was very hard at times, too. Things didn't always go perfectly. That's life, isn't it? And I had to learn that the true meaning of confidence is how you deal with life's problems.

In other words, this experience offered a wealth of communication lessons.

Now, after more than 25 years, I've taught 1000s of leaders and entrepreneurs, managers and professionals, learning firsthand what obstacles they faced and what strategies worked, and what they really needed for success  ...

In their businesses, organizations, and in their personal lives where we all need that sense of accomplishment and self-esteem earned in trustworthy relationships.

We see, time and time again, in our rapidly changing and challenging world of supply, demand, and competition — the necessity for a holistic approach to communication: 

• We need a communication strategy that helps us work consistently.

• We  need the communication skills to make people feel valued.

• We need communication that helps us reach our goals.  

The truth is, we need this in all areas of our lives, at work and at home.

As human beings, we can't feel secure in relationships based on commuication that is just left up to the inspiration, convenience, or mood of the moment — and security is one of our most basic human needs.

Even if you're an online solo-entrepreneur, you need structures and standards to create that sense of security for yourself and for everyone you deal with. 

Trying to run your business without good systems and skills, day after day, prevents you from consistently turning a beautiful concept into the right message in the right medium.

That's a loss to us all. 

The best idea in the universe is worthless if no one finds out about it.

But lasting success in a business isn't only about reaching more customers.

The relationship doesn't end after we make the sale. Like a honeymoon, that's just the beginning! 

After the sale, without good customer service and partner relations: miscommunication can derail even our most effective solutions.

It is just as the old-school masters of business have taught us for ages: good communication builds trust that strengthens relationships, communities, and organizations.

This is how my consulting philosophy crystalized:

"An organization can only be as good as its communication."

🔸

Now, I'm dedicated to helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals harness the power of effective communication. 

I've worked with individuals and teams from around the globe, in 100s of companies, across a range of industries. 

Everything I do is focused to help you to develop and share the talent, experience and expertise you have, with your community and with the great world outside!

Previously, I was proud to say that my clients all came to me through direct personal referrals.

But with today's technology, I’m even more excited to offer my training and consultancy to a much wider audience.

Improving communication is a win-win for everyone.

GUIDES & COURSES