I had the pleasure and privilege this past weekend of meeting world-renowned motivational speaker and author, Les Brown (you can learn more about him by visiting www.lesbrown.com). I was in Los Angeles at a workshop on how to be a powerful trainer and we had the joy to work with this incredible man. That’s me looking slightly awestruck with Les!

Within seconds of being on the stage…, everyone in the room was captivated by him. He demonstrated the incredible power of speaking with authenticity from your heart. His stories moved us to laughter, then tears, and back again. You could hear a pin drop as he spoke. He was open and vulnerable with us. His authenticity allowed Les and an audience of 175 to connect in a fraction of a second. His honesty and vulnerability spoke to the vulnerability and frailty that lies within me. He inspired me and I wanted to join him in his vision of how we, as trainers and speakers, can make a difference in the world.

I wonder what our world would be like if our politicians, business leaders and teachers could open up and speak from their heart like that? Seems like a lot of our public figures are engrossed in public posturing and defending themselves with intellectual rationalizations. I find it hard to relate to that. I don’t find myself enrolled in a vision when it’s coming from a leader’s head, not their heart. Do you? I’m for speaking from the heart as a way to build connection and relationship with one another.