Rob Biesenbach 
Bill Clinton was a great communicator. A greater communicator, I think, than THE Great Communicator. As we all well know, he could talk his way into and out of just about anything! But he was not what you would call a concise speaker. His State of the Union addresses always clocked in at over an … Read more
This is the kind of headline professional bloggers tell me I’m supposed to write. Provocative headings that get right up in the reader’s face and force them to pay attention. I’ve tried it a few times myself. “What Hollywood Knows About Leadership That You Don’t” was the first of three articles I submitted to Business … Read more
The reason most business writing is boring is that it demands so little of the reader. That is, it settles for merely conveying information. That’s fine, I suppose, if you’re writing an instruction manual (but even those could use a little more humor and drama). The problem is captured in David Mamet’s duly famous memo to … Read more
I’m not a big fan of traditional business books. I think I got to #4 in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People before bailing. (Maybe that says something about my effectiveness.) So when I set out to write my own book, I was determined to make it the kind of book I would … Read more
If you’re the kind of person who likes to get things done, few things are more frustrating than people who stand in the way of progress. Foot draggers, naysayers, bottlenecks, roadblocks — these are people who come from a place of “no.” It’s especially frustrating in the communications business. Over the years, I’ve come across … Read more
Here are the five most important lessons we can learn from the world of acting about communications: Create an authentic connection with your audience by truly understanding who they are, what they want and where you fit in. Otherwise, your communication will be tone-deaf. Tell stories that resonate. You can find stories everywhere and use … Read more
We are likely to hear the word “tragedy” used a lot this week. For years, the overuse of this word has bothered me. As an English major, I was trained in the classical definition of a tragedy, which is essentially the story of a hero falling from grace due to some flaw in his or … Read more
Got writer’s block? No you don’t. That was a trick question. There’s actually no such thing as writer’s block. That may surprise you as you sit there, staring helplessly at the screen, trying to get started on that presentation or report. I know, I know, you’ve seen the movies with the tortured artist holed up … Read more
I’m not one of those who considered Ronald Reagan “The Great Communicator” or even a great communicator. He was a good communicator, certainly, but no more so than I would expect from a successful politician and actor. His speech in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster was especially moving. He could deliver a well-timed one-liner, … Read more
Chris Farley used to do this great bit on SNL, where he played this typically rumpled character who bemoans his lack of communication skills. As he catalogues his various deficiencies, he punctuates each one with great, sausage-fingered air quotes: Maybe I’m not “the norm,” I’m not “camera friendly.” I don’t “wear clothes that fit me,” … Read more