Last week, I was interviewed by Emmy-award winning journalist and investigative reporter Mark Allen. Our focus was on the intersection of artificial intelligence and human wisdom, and my work with leaders in this area. You can watch the full interview on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuwiQ5sxKv8&t=77s

Don't let the Q&A kill the vibe. You just killed it. The energy in the room is electric. Then comes the Q&A... and suddenly the energy drops off a cliff because of a "comment-not-a-question" or a silent room. Don’t let a flat finish ruin your impact. - Rule 1: Prime the Pump. Always have a "planted" question ready. Say, "A question I’m often asked is..." to get the ball rolling. - Rule 2: The "Sandwich" Method. Answer the question, but always bridge it back to your core message. Don't let the audience lead you into the weeds. - Rule 3: The Final Word. Never end on a Q&A. After the last question, take back the mic for a 60-second "Closing Charge." You control the final impression. Pro Tip: You’re the pilot of the room until you step off that stage. Don't hand over the controls during the Q&A!

I was just looking at the 30-day leaderboard and honestly… it’s not just about points. It’s about the energy behind them. To those of you who consistently contribute, jump into conversations, and share your thoughts openly—thank you. That takes effort. To the folks stepping out of their comfort zone and showing up for the weekly meetings—you’re doing the real work. It’s not always easy, and it matters more than you think. And to everyone who’s engaging, giving feedback, and being open to others ideas—that’s what builds a strong community. Special mention to the current leaderboard leaders—you’re setting the pace: @Sandi Boucher @Gopika Ashok M @Sharyn Abbott @Jerry Fletcher @Deborah Northcutt @Brian Gorman @Sheena LC Walker @Frank Soonius @Jon Kovach Jr. @Scott Harvey Whether you’re at the top of the board or just getting started, your presence here counts. Let’s keep showing up for each other.

All, Having done considerable research (for those attending our session today, yes, it was AI-assisted), I have settled on Vistage as my first major foray in my return to speaking. In fact, my session design is more a facilitated conversation with stories then a "speech." This is an entryway into my pipeline. The audience in each Chapter session is relatively small and consists of those who would benefit from my message (AI governance and integrating AI into the organization). Chapter Presidents speak to one another with some frequency. And, there are several Vistage Chapters in the New York City area. If you have experience in this area and/or are able to refer me to anyone who does or directly to any Chapter Presidents, that would be great! Likewise, I am open to taking this opportunity into other organizations. I am happy to have a brief conversation (https://calendly.com/briangormancoach/30-minute-appointment) or feel free to message me here or Brian@TransformingLives.Coach. Thanks!

In our weekly get together this past Wednesday, we discovered that two of us use the same neuroscience based model of building and sustaining trust. It is drawn from the work of the late Judith E. Glaser. Attached are two documents based on this model that I often use with clients. I am hopeful that you find them useful.