The Meeting She Walked Into Unprepared

After 20 years in marketing, I've learned that improvising is just old preparation showing up on time. When a meeting goes off script, I stop reaching for the plan and start listening, because the client usually tells you exactly what they need.

I had just finished my presentation about my book and before I could ask for questions that comment came from the audience. Part of the video (the song) is in fact AI, and I know it's controversial. I confirmed the suspicion, and offered "AI is a tool, and has the potential for good or bad. I did not use any AI in writing my book or any of the illustrations. That is all 100% me." Then I talked briefly about all new technology having opposition. There weren't any more questions about AI so I think I handled it well.

Dancing in the moment with my clients is an essential professional skill that builds trust, confidence, and rapport. It allows me the opportunity to let intuition lead, leverage my deep subject matter expertise, and develop in the moment practical solutions that address their most pressing concerns.

Thinking on your feet is an art form for a trial attorney. Preparation teaches you the law. Experience sharpens your instincts. But when you're standing in that courtroom, you have to trust your gut, think on your feet, and speak with conviction. Trial work is an art knowing when to speak, when to pivot, and when to trust what your instincts are telling you. Hesitation creates doubt. If you don't sound like you believe your argument, you can't expect the judge or jury to believe it either. Know the law. Trust your gut. And when you speak speak with confidence.

The best preparation you can bring to any room is knowing yourself when you trust your experience, improvising isn't a crisis, it's just thinking out loud.