Sam Horn

CEO Intrigue Agency: respected keynoter, bestselling author, communication strategist featured in NYT, Forbes, NPR. Clients = NASA, Intel, Oracle, Accenture

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

"Do you have a CONTAINER for your CREATIVITY?

We need containers for our creativity, otherwise our posts are here, there, and everywhere. And that means there's no "there, there."

And if you're all over the map, people can’t find you because you don't have a map and you're not on the mat.

Think about Maria Popova's weekly newsletter “Marginalian,” (formerly “Brainpickings.”)

If she just had just been posting online for two decades, whenever she felt like it, she would have no enduring body of work.

Her brilliant showcasing of the best of humanity and creativity would be "out-of-sight, out-of-mind," and that would be a regrettable loss.

The good news is, Maria put her creativity into a container, named that container, and consitently contributed quality IP to that container.

Are you familiar with the movie tagline, “If you build it, they will come.”

Hmm. No they won't.

If you want a sustaining body of work that makes a difference for people now - and long after you’re gone - pour your precious MTT (Mind. Time. Talents) into a named creative container that consistently adds value.

That's when people look forward to what you say, trust the artistic rigor and value of what you say, and voluntarily become brand ambassadors who refer you to others, which results in an ongoing, mutally-rewarding virtuous cycle." - Sam Horn, speaker/author of POP! and Got Your Attention?

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

If you're not already subscribing to Maria Popova's brilliant weekly newsletter @themarginalian (formerly called "Brain Pickings") - do yourself a favor and join in to receive its gems today.

It's free, no ads, no spam, no selling, no AI... ever. Just the best of humanity and creativity, like this inspiring insight from Virginia Woolf:

"A constant idea of mine; that behind the cotton wool is hidden a pattern; that we — I mean all human beings — are connected with this; that the whole world is a work of art; that we are parts of the work of art... We are the words; we are the music; we are the thing itself."

And while on a drive or walk toay, do yourself another favor and listen to her interview with @david_perell on his podcast so you can enjoy her value-added insights about what she's learned from 20 years of writing daily.

As he says, "Maria Popova writes one of the world's best personal blogs. She's published 6 million (!) pages of writing that are such a treasure, the Library of Congress has made it part of their permanent archive."

Speaking of archives, consider her wise advice to "Focus on ARCHIVES, not the INTERNET."

As she so adroitly points out, 99% of human wisdom is to be found, not from this year or last year, but from the leaders of yesteryear.

And I 100% agree with her, "STOP CALLING IT CONTENT!"

That term doesn't do justice to the gift of our brain's imaginative ability to turn ideas, images, observations, and experiences into word magic.

Maria and David are such shining, centering Forces for Good - reminding us that who and what we give our attention to determines our quality of life. https://t.co/PMAkpiVNpM

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Want what you write to get read?

https://t.co/QEcLp9GPnN

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Are you a softball fan, coach, athlete, or leader? Or all four? If so, you'll love what University of Texas softball coach Mike White said this week at the NCAA Women's College World Series tournament.

One of the commentators asked him, "Who are you going to bring in to pitch next?"

He paused, then smiled and said, "That's a good question, and I'm not going to tell you."

They both burst out laughing and she said, "I almost had you."

He said, "You almost did."

Kudos to Mike White for demonstrating Tongue Fu!® in action.

1. He had the presence of mind in that moment to realize that if he had answered her question, he would have given their competitors a strategic advantage because they could have prepped for that pitcher's style.

2. Instead of being lured and lulled into saying something he regretted, he named her game, controlled his narrative, and told the truth.

3. And they both had a laugh about it.

What's this mean for you?

If you're talking on eggshells, remember what Don Draper of Mad Men used to say, "If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation."

To riff off that, if you don't like what's being asked, say what you want to say, instead of saying something you wish you could take back.

If you are asked a question you don't want to answer, (unless it's from your boss, in a job interview, at court, etc.) - remember, you don't have to answer a question just because someone asks it.

Especially if it's manipulating you into saying something you'd regret.

Instead, say with a smile, "No comment," "Next question?" or "For all the reasons you already know, I choose not to answer that."

Then move on and say what will serve you, your business, project, issue, and cause.

@UTAustin @NCAASoftball @NCAA #softball #coach #leader #athlete #SamHorn #TalkingOnEggshells #TongueFu #books

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Thanks for sharing this video @nsa_backstage Looking forward to presenting HOW TO CRAFT A PHRASE THAT PAYS at the @NSAspeaker annual Influence convention on July 25 in Austin.

Here's a short description of what we'll be covering in our session that takes your work viral because it makes what you say even more actionable and memorable.

- - -

Want a 7 word competitive edge that gets you hired, remembered, and referred? In this interactive workshop, you will craft a one-of-a-kind phrase-that-pays that helps you break out vs. blend in.

After all, blending in is for Cuisinarts, not for speakers.

In the room, you will:

1) pull an original, actionable, insight from a favorite real-world story that is unique to you
2) craft that into an AIR-Tight sound-bite that is repeatable and retweetable
3) strategize how to turn that into a presentation/book title and brand tagline
4) Turn this into merch that keeps you in-sight, in-mind and top-of-mind

Three lucky people will get a LIVE POP! seat where Sam and the group help you develop an intriguing "hook, line, and thinker" that helps you and your work stand out and go viral.

- - -

Be sure to bring your notebook so you can INK IT WHEN YOU THINK IT because we'll be brainstorming and strategizing a unique-to-you one-liner that you can use in your talks, posts, videos, books, and on your website and marketing.

https://t.co/3HPu0M6SjD
#samhorn #keynoter #speaking #toastmasters #ICF #MPI #ASAE #eventplanner #meetings

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Tired of reading content that looks all the same? Sam Horn shares real-life ways to write so people want to read what you say, relate to what you say, and want to hear more of what you say. https://t.co/QEcLp9GPnN

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Aahh, listening to a fabulous podcast with @GuyKawasaki and Julia Cameron, the queen of creativity and author of the enduring classic The Artist’s Way, on my streamtrail walk.

Guy asked Julia about her writing ritual.

Julia says she starts every day with Morning Pages to free up what she’s really thinking and feeling.

And many days, she encounters Nigel, the name she has given her critic.

If Nigel says, “You’re boring,” she says, “Thank you for sharing, Nigel” and then keeps writing.

Julia said she deliberately gave her self-doubt a cartoonish name to diminish his negative impact.

Plus, she always always writes in long hand, because what wants to be said comes out with a “heartfelt intelligence and a benevolent flow.”

Is that beautiful or what?

I know that every single time I get up, get outside, and get moving, I too am blessed with that state of benevolent flow.

I become re-attuned to the miracle-filled world that is just waiting to be noticed, explored, appreciated.

And I am reminded all over again to please stop thinking of writing as HARD.

I was on a zoom call earlier this week and someone kept talking about how HARD writing is.

And it reminded me of Tara Conklin‘s quote, “Our greatest work of art is the story we tell about ourselves.”

Or not.

The more we talk about how hard writing (or parenting or life) is, the more hard it is.

The more we tell ourselves stories about how stuck we are, the more stuck we are.

The good news is, we have AGENCY.

We can course-correct anytime we want

Like now.

Let’s start reminding ourselves what a gift it is to write.

What a blessing it is to be able to see something, think something, feel something - and then have those feelings and thoughts shaped into words that we get to put on the page - and now they’re out of our head and heart and out in the world where they can connect with people, resonate with people, maybe even make a difference for people.

Writing is not hard.

Writing (and life) is a blessing, a gift, a privilege.

Let’s act like it.

#writing #writer #writingcommunity #author #quotes #samhorn #intrigue #expert #writerslife #librarians

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

@ConsciousCap Thanks @ConsciousCap for sharing Talking on Eggshells with your community. I'll always be grateful to John Mackey for graciously giving the cover endorsement and saying this book's principles and and recommendations are "the course correct for today's cancel culture."

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Thanks @ConsciousCap for sharing this shout-out for Talking On Eggshells. What a joy it was sharing examples and action steps on what to say - when we don't know what to say - on your podcast and summit.
It makes my day when leaders circle back to tell me they bought books for their staff, and they discuss a chapter a week in their meetings.
One exec told me she "divvied up" the chapters to different team members, and each week, one has five minutes to summarize the lesson from his/her chapter - and then facilitate a ten minute discussion on how that idea can be used with customers and coworkers.
She said everyone looks forward to the meetings because "they're like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. We never know what we're going to get, all we know is it will be interesting and something we can use to communicate better at work and at home.

@ConsciousCapNYC @CC_Australia @ConCapBA @Conscious_DC @ConsciousCapLA @CCinUK

[Conscious Capitalism, Inc. @ConsciousCap]

🗣️ Tough conversations don’t have to damage trust.

In Talking on Eggshells, @SamHornIntrigue shares practical tools to diffuse tension, communicate clearly, and turn conflict into connection.

A valuable read for any leader.

Grab your copy here 👉 https://t.co/hVkEsOvo4E

[Conscious Capitalism, Inc. @ConsciousCap]

🗣️ Tough conversations don’t have to damage trust.

In Talking on Eggshells, @SamHornIntrigue shares practical tools to diffuse tension, communicate clearly, and turn conflict into connection.

A valuable read for any leader.

Grab your copy here 👉 https://t.co/hVkEsOvo4E

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Are you watching the NBA Conference Finals? It reminds me of when the Chicago Bulls were preparing for Game 6 against the Utah Jazz in hopes of winning their 6th NBA Championship.

A reporter asked Michael Jordan, "Do you ever worry about blowing a final shot that would cause your team to lose?"

MJ looked at the reporter like he was one taco short of a combination plate and said, "Why would I think about missing a shot I haven't even taken yet?"

Profound, isn't it? Are you worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet?

@cavs @nyknicks @spurs @okcthunder @NBA

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Thanks to https://t.co/h9coBv7rLJ for featuring me in this "What Would You Do If You Played Hooky for a Day?" This was prompted by conversations during my Year by the Water where many people told me they were stressed, tired, burned out, and wished they could do something like I was doing, but had too many responsibilities to even consider it.

I understand the practicalities of that - and also think it's worth asking, "If I DID play hooky for one day, what would that look like?" What is that for you?

After all, as Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." https://t.co/7935VdRq1O

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

A well-known keynoter/author just circled back to let me know my Take The Bully By the Horns book changed her and her mom's life - for the better.
If you know someone who is dealing with a controlling, manipulative, hyper-critical, Jekyll-Hyde, passive-aggressive, narcissist - I'm making this video available free so you can watch it and reclaim your confidence, peace of mind, and quality of life.
My hope is this helps you get clarity that you deserve to be treated with respect and you're empowered to use your agency to change your life - for good. https://t.co/rcMQ595qG1

#samhorn #bullying #bullies #narcissists #tips #neverbebulliedagain #bullies #bullyquiz #tonguefu

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

A potential client told me he's been trying to get booked as a paid speaker for the past year - with no results. I asked how he was getting the word out about his speaking services and he said he had paid for a social media company to post on his behalf.

Hhmm. I suggested we look at his posts to see if we could discern why they hadn't been delivering results.

After a few minutes it was easy to see why all the money he'd spent to raise "brand awareness and visibility and market his speaking" wasn't working.

Every single post was essentially a sales pitch. There was no bottom-line value-added. No original, organic stories. No relevant, actionable insights.

Just a lot of "Here's what I speak on, and here's how you can hire me." Who wants that? Who is motivated by that? Who will keep reading his posts?

The only way to EARN and CONTINUE TO EARN people's attention, respect, and curiosity is to say something they haven't heard before that is intriguing, inspiring, useful.

How are you doing that with your posts and presentations?

How are you SERVING instead of SELLING so at the end of every interaction, people feel it was worth their valuable time, mind, and dime?

After all, Richard Branson said, "Time is the new money." In today's short-attention-span world, time is the new TRUST.

If you want people to TRUST your posts and presentations, ask yourself, "Did I say something they:
* haven't heard before?
* can immediately use to reap real-world results?
* can relate to so they feel they're not alone?
* laughed at which turned a HaHa into an Aha?
* resonated with they can apply on/off the job?
* initially disagreed with but opened them to a fresh perspective?
* needed to hear that will help them recenter in their integrity?
* were inspired by that motivated them to do and/or be ... better?

Author Kurt Vonnegut said, "You've got to be a good date for the reader."

If your posts (and presentations) do any of the above, you're SERVING, not SELLING - and that's when people conclude you're "a good date for the reader/listener."

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within."

When we ink it when we think it, we not only watch and capture the gleams of light which flash from within...

...we watch and capture and share the gleams of light that flash around us.

And that's being thrice-blessed.

#writing #writers #authors #samhorn #intrigue #expert #InkItWhenYouThinkIt #TakeNotes

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

"Being a good writer is 20% hard work nd 80% not getting distracted by the internet." - Sam Horn, author of IDEApreneur, POP!, and Got Your Attention?

#writing #writerslife #writingcommunity #quotes

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Remember the wah-wah-wah sound the teacher makes in Charles M. Schulz "Peanuts" cartoon strips and TV specials? I call that INFObesity and it loses people at hello. Here's what to do instead. https://t.co/8XRFQ6ZC1g

#INFObesity #SamHorn #intrigue #expert #pitch #proposal #communication #socialmedia #clarity

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

What type of parent are you? This insightful post helps you navigate tough situations when you need to hold your child accountable. They may not like you in the moment, but they'll lean into you later. @itsandrewhorn explains why...

https://t.co/aEOe5vPLEy

#ParentingTips #parents #healthy #happy #kids #family #advice

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

One of the wonderful things about writing is we can discover something we wrote years (decades?) ago and it's still as relevant as it was then ... or things have changed and we get to update what we wrote with new learnings. Writing is the gift the keeps on giving, isn't it? As Charles Bukowski says, "Writing knows no quit."

#writing #writers #community #quotes #writerslife #author #authorcommunity #samhorn #writer

[Sam Horn @SamHornIntrigue]

Do you think life is just one damn day after another?

A a restaurantlast week, the group next to us were celebrating a birthday. The place was so packed, we coulndn't help but overhear their conversation.

One guy asked another guy, "How's it going?"

He shrugged, "You know, it's a grind. It's just one damn day after another."

Wow.

Remember GROUNDHOG DAY with Bill Murray, who's in town to report on whether Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring?

Somehow, through movie magic, Bill gets trapped in a time warp, and is doomed to relive the same day over and over until he gets it ... right.

Folks, this is not Groundhog Day.

We don't get to relive our days until we get them right.

And it is never, ever, one damn thing after another.

You sitting there, reading this, thinking this, is a gift.

If you wake up tomorrow, it's a gift.

If you get to hold a loved one, hear beautiful music, taste delicious food, walk on grass, drink a glass of clean water, laugh out loud... it's a gift.

When are we going to realize that?

Anne Morrow Lindbergh said, "Perhaps we never really appreciate anything until it is challenged."

Say it ain’t so.

Don't want until your days are challanged to enjoy them, appreciate them, and imprint them.

And never, ever 'diss them by calling them "one DAMN day after another."