“Spirit of NSA Day”

Spirit of NSA Strongest in North Texas Chapter

 

By Dave Lieber

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

www.yankeecowboy.com

 

   Ever rewrite your speech while stuck in traffic?

   That’s what happened after I rushed out of the last chapter meeting to give a speech in Fort Worth. As traffic stopped on I-30W, I called the meeting planner, who knew I might be running late. Then I pulled out note cards and, and while cruising at 5 miles per hour, worked the advice from chapter members into the newest version of my very new speech.

   As honored as I was to share the basics of my “Secrets of Storytelling” talk at that meeting, I was even more honored to listen to chapter members’ ideas after I presented them with my dilemma — how to artfully mix storytelling with facts and instruction for maximum effect.

   Share any problem with chapter members, and they immediately work to solve it. Of course, even experts can learn more about their subject if they stop and listen to their audience. When you stop listening, you stop learning.

   And when I finally arrived at that meeting and shared the new version with all those suggestions still fresh in my head, it was by far the best one yet!

   I write this little love note to my chapter members on NSA Founder Cavett Robert’s birthday – Spirit of NSA Day. It’s a day in which we’re urged to “provide genuine spirit to speaking colleagues.”

   So thank you for my dose. Our chapter nurtures a loving, caring atmosphere that leads to trust and a willingness to listen and learn.

   Cavett should know that his formula for chapter success still works in North Texas.

   Thanks, NSA/NT! Once again, as always, you came through.

   *

   Cavett Robert said: “A superficial knowledge is not enough. It must be a knowledge capable of analyzing a situation quickly and making an immediate decision.”