Winning Leadership, LA Lakers Take the NBA Title

Congratulations and kudos to coach Phil Jackson and the LA Lakers! The team takes the NBA title and Jackson gets his 10th win.  Overheard comment from an LA Lakers’ player regarding Jackson’s leadership, “He doesn’t control you.  He empowers you.”

Will the LA Lakers’ Phil Jackson Do It Again?

by Judy Jernudd, www.Startegic.com, Judy@Startegic.com 310.215.9975

You don’t have to be a LA Lakers’ fan to appreciate the man described as the “winningest” coach.  Phil Jackson has 9 NBA titles to his credit and is going for his 10th against the Orlando Magic.  Coach Jackson has grown accustomed to winning.  NBA titles might be in his DNA! This coach counts 9 wins out of the last 18 titles.

Phil Jackson and Judy Jernudd

I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Jackson.  Granted a first impression doesn’t mean you know a person, yet after a few minutes with him, he makes a lasting impact. His unusual combination of competitiveness and Zen not only serves him well as a coach, but it is who he is.

Judy’s Take: During the interview his answers are thoughtful due to his presence with the questions. He listens. His “in the moment” attitude is contagious. You feel yourself becoming more centered and focused because he is.  Everything about him projects sincerity and wisdom. Even some of his players, who’ve publicly admitted resisting his Zen coach approach, give him credit for his meditative teachings. He listens and delivers answers with the message he wants to get across. He looks directly at you when he talks and forms a connection.

Coach Jackson has written a number of books you might want to check out about his leadership style and what makes him win.  One of my favorites that I recommend to leaders is “Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior.”

Gold Star Action: Answering questions in a job interview, to a reporter, in a sales presentation, or conversations in general should be void of sounding scripted or canned. Treat every question with importance.  Think before you speak.  Looking into the eyes of the person asking the question is a powerful way to connect. And be present. Master these skills and people will relate to you more positively and you will create a greater impact.

Major Media Mistakes Will Cost You, Part 3

Part 3:

• Blaming the reporter: “That ##!!@## reporter never asked me the right questions!” Someone makes this statement in almost every one of our Media Coaching workshops. It isn’t the reporter’s job to ask you the right questions. Your responsibility is in the answers. How you respond to questions and what you say are the keys to your media success.

Judy’s Gold Star Action Tip: Make a list of talking points as soon as you are contacted by the media for an interview. Read through them, take out a red pen and start editing. What does the viewer, reader or listener need to know? What is most relevant to the story? What helps you get your talking point across to the reader, viewer or listener? Don’t make your talking points sound scripted or canned. When you are well prepared you will become adept at working them into your answer.

Stay tuned!

Judyth

Major Mistakes Will Cost You Money, Part 2

Part 2:

Focusing on your history is another costly mistake. It can eat up your entire television segment! Even in your print interviews you might not get to your key points. Some people make the mistake of thinking they can add every detail in print articles. How you arrived at where you are today in your business or why your book came about might be a fascinating tale - if there is time.  Your goal is to get your key point(s) up front.

Saving the best for last doesn’t apply to TV interviews. Elaboration can work to your advantage in some situations. For example, if you are a single guest on an hour long radio show you will be able to work in more stories and key points.

When we coach media clients, we ask up front what is important to the interviews?  The answer is often, “everything!”  They start trudging from the beginning of their companies’ journey to present times. ZZZZzzzz!

Judy’s Gold Star Action Tip: Keep in mind your segment might be cut short. You never get the opportunity to get to the best part. Don’t make the reporter work too hard to find your key points.  As a former reporter, I can tell you in some instances you might find yourself being asked the same question several different ways. The reporter is looking for the answer.

Stay tuned!

Judyth

Major Media Mistakes Will Cost You

Part 1:

Congratulations! Your pitch captured the media’s attention. You just received the call you have anticipated for weeks: “Can you be at the studio in three hours, camera-ready?” Or, they asked if they can send a reporter to your office in a couple of hours along with a still photographer? You’re exited! You call your mother and your friends. “What should I wear? Oh, I wish I wasn’t having a bad hair day.” Your jubilation fades as you begin to ponder; what am I going to say? Now we’re getting someplace. Here’s a glimpse of what kind of mistakes interviewees — you — can make.

• Being unprepared. You are eager to see yourself on TV or your name in print. Media exposure can only help, right? It is after all your subject area, isn’t it? Or, maybe not. Don’t say yes, unless you’re confident you know what you’re talking about and how your information will help the story.

Judy’s Gold Star Action Tip: If it’s not your area of expertise, offer to find the perfect resource. You win in four ways. You make a media friend who might think of you for a future story, you gain credibility, you help a colleague who has the expertise and you save yourself from looking like the flavor of the day. People who try to be all things to all stories don’t produce many results.  And they don’t get invited back.

Stay tuned!

Judyth