"Entertain them first. Let the thinking come as a surprise."

"Entertain them first. Let the thinking come as a surprise."

That was one of the most powerful things ever offered to me as advice for my career. I was just starting out as a twenty-year-old speaker and my mentor at the time asked me what my goals were.

I replied with enthusiasm, and without a clue, and said, "I want to make people think about their lives and the world around them."

I already had years of experience as a performer and presenter at the time having started when I was thirteen, including five years doing corporate events, and thought I knew everything. My friend's comment hit me like a lightning bolt. I never forgot his words.

When I had a chance to speak a few weeks ago to my friends at Legacy Bank in Wichita Kansas, I combined laughter and ideas like I always do, this time adding a breakout session where I taught every attendee how to juggle, individually and in groups, to solidify lessons about working together.

But amidst the lessons, a top priority was to have people laughing. (Note: all tennis balls were donated to local shelters after so that dogs could play endlessly with them!)

"Entertain them first. Let the thinking come as a surprise." Words to remember. That is how we deliver impact as a keynote speaker.