"We don't communicate" is the most common concern that couples bring to me. The truth is: You cannot not communicate. Everything we do or don't do communicates something. What they mean, of course, is, "We don't communicate well, positively or effectively." Too often people are taught only surface communication skills (ie., "I" statements) that don't ever seem to actually work nor do they get to the CORE of the issue. This communication training by-passes the typical cliched communication skills by focusing on THE communication skill that is rarely taught: DEEP Listening.

Evaluation Results

I don't filter my evaluation results I give them here as straight as I get them. I figure if you're making the important decision to select the right speaker for your group is it better to just get filtered positive only testimonials about a potential speaker or to know how people respond to the speaker including both those who loved it and didn't? So if someone thought I stunk you'll hear it here first. Obviously, I don't try to make everyone happy. Part of my utility is to get people out of their comfort zones. If the majority love an approach I use in a seminar I'll continue those items that resonate with most. If the majority hate an approach I'll drop it. If one or two people don't like what the majority love, then I don't give much heed to those critiques, of course. However, I appreciate all feedback, which is one of the reasons my evaluation results are consistently high: My audiences teach me what they like and what works best for them and I listen.

My evaluation form contains the following items:

• 1-10 Rating: "Please rate your overall experience of this presentation"

1-2 ———— 3-4 ————— 5-6 ————— 7-8 ————— 9-10

Horrid/Very Poor — Poor — Fair — Good — Very Good/Excellent

• The Good: "What was brilliant, superb, exhilarating, life-altering, or opened the heavens for you? In short, what did you like about the presentation?

• One Thing: "What's one thing that you plan on using and/or implementing into your life from this presentation?" This tells me out of everything what was the one thing that had the most meaningful impact.

• The Bad: "What stunk, turned your stomach, gave you a headache, made you dizzy, or gave you gas? In short, what didn't you like that could be improved and/or what would you like to see covered that wasn't? (Go ahead, I can take it!)"

• Requested eZine: This is actually also an evaluation measure: You'd think that someone who would give a lower rating didn't like the presentation. However, while it may not have been the favorite for that person, they got enough out of it that they would like to receive emails containing articles, tips, strategies and events on these topics from me.