We’re halfway through 2025.  Yikes!

A few years ago, a friend guided me through an annual planning process. It included a midyear review—a time to step back, reflect, and assess: Am I doing what I said I’d do?

That’s where I’ll be this week—on a quiet lake, checking in on the goals I set in January.

Planning is one thing. Following through—and measuring—is another.

Take one of my goals: hike, walk, and kayak a combined 600 miles this year. That’s not Ironman status, but it would be my most active year ever (In fact, it beats the combined total of my walking from 2017–2023.) At midyear, I’ve intentionally moved my body 315 miles. On track for my goal, but no time to coast.

Another goal: Watch 100 sunsets. I’ve logged 46. I need to be more intentional at the end of the day.

It’s easy to track sunsets and miles, my phone does that with ease.  But when it comes to communication—what are we aiming for? And how do we measure it?

Most people evaluate their speaking by outcomes:

• Did I get the sale?

• Did I persuade them?

• Did they like me?

• Do I feel confident?

The problem? None of those are fully in your control. Even confidence is slippery—that’s more about belief and repetition than any one performance.  (I’ve created a free course on that very topic: Confidence in Speaking. Check it out here.)

My Wake-Up Call

Early in my career, I was asked to train engineers on some very dry material. They’d often doze off. Was it them? Maybe. But more likely, it was me.

Over time, I got better. People paid attention. I got positive feedback. I once spoke in Germany—and afterward, no one said a word. I assumed I’d bombed. Turns out, I didn’t understand cultural differences in giving feedback.

In job interviews, I’d get a laugh and think I nailed it—only to find out the offer went elsewhere. Humor is not always a universal metric.

Since embarking on my speaking journey, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking: What does success look like in speaking?

If I speak and no one claps… no one buys… no one lingers afterward—was it still a success?

I think it can be.

Here’s My Working Definition:

Success in speaking is when the audience can repeat the core message in their own words.

They may not buy from me.
They may not agree with me.
They may not even like me.

But if they remember what I said—and can repeat it—I’ve done my job.

Careful observers and longtime subscribers will note the emphasis at the onset of the definition: it’s about THE AUDIENCE (Rule #1!).  

That insight changes everything:

• How I prepare

• What I say

• How I say it

• How I interact before, during, and after the talk

A Memorable Success Story

At a conference a few years ago, a man came up to me and said, “I heard you speak at an event years ago.” I barely remembered the event he was talking about. But I asked, “What do you remember?”

He said the most beautiful thing a speaker can hear: “I still remember your three points.” And then he repeated them—clearly and accurately. Nearly a decade later.

That’s communication success.

If you’d like to refine how you prepare and measure your own success in speaking, I’ve got some resources for that—including:

• A free digital course: Foundations of Effective Communication

• A keynote for your group: Winning Communication: Strategies to Connect and Convince

• A companion video (4:00) on creating memorable messages.

If you’re not sure where to start, Just email and I’ll point you to the best place to start.

And as for sunsets—I still have work to do.

Communication Matters!  What are you saying?

Alan, your Online Stage Coach