IT Leadership Manual: Roadmap to Becoming a Trusted Business Partner

CHAPTER 2

We Are All Unique

Many people ask me why I drive a racecar. Most people think I am crazy for doing so. I tell them I do it because it fits my personality. I am a driven person constantly setting goals and always trying to improve. This started at a very young age, and I can't explain why I am this way except to say that I had meager beginnings and always wanted to prove that I could beat the odds and excel. You don't have to be excessively driven to succeed; however, you must have a personal motivation to continuously challenge yourself. No two races and no two business situations are the same. What makes you successful is your personal preparedness and ability to adapt to unique situations. It all starts with learning about yourself.

At the time of this writing, I just finished giving a presentation on leadership in Atlanta—my third engagement this month. As always, I tried to read the audience. I watched body language and considered the questions audience members asked. When giving a presentation, I try to imagine myself in the audience. I want to make sure the information I provide is timely and relevant and that everyone will learn something of value. Then I try to season this valuable information with a pinch of entertainment. Today things seemed to go very well.

Public speaking did not come easily to me; it took many years of training and practice to reach the comfort level I enjoy today. Still, it is often a challenge to reconcile my inner feelings about speaking ...