It’s All About Impression

By: Peter Madden

“Can you give a presentation? Actually two. One is to some of the most prestigious golf professionals and the other is to the Philadelphia Police Department’s top brass.”
The subject: branding and leadership.
Thus was the query from my dear friend and Union League of Philadelphia COO, Sean Palmer.
“Of course.”

And then the work begins.

Ultimately, these requests are an invitation and for me – a look in the mirror. Do I still love what I do? Does what I do matter? How can I make an impact with these incredibly different audiences. What can I say that will not only ‘stick,’ but last.

I joked with a colleague, “who should I bill my time to?”
But the reality is this: I should arguably pay them. Because it made me push a much-needed pause button and truly dive into my work, why I love it, where it can be better, where it’s going, and how I relate to it.

One of my favorite questions that I ask of Clients in our Brand Therapy Sessions is this: if you presented at a Career Day to a group of 12 year olds, and after your scintillating (hopefully) presentation, and you were asked the following question, what would you say?

Why do you love what you do and why should I care about your organization?

I’ve seen everyone from CEO’s to interns – around the world – wring their hands over this one for over 20 years. It’s human nature to get so wrapped up in the day-to-day, meeting after meeting, crossing off to-do lists, and moving on to the next meeting or (God forbid) Zoom/Teams.

Ultimately, I am always honored to ask to speak. In fact, I just had a kind request to visit my friends at La Salle Academy (Li), where I’m a Trustee, to speak with their wide-eyed students from several of their grades.

Trust me, I will put as much into that talk as I am into my presentations to incredible folks from golf course Clubs to our great PPD.

It simply makes me a better person – and better at what I do.