Sandra Zimmer featured in Houston Chronicle Article on Public Speaking as a Career Tool

Today, Sunday, March 23, 2014, The Houston Chronicle Jobs Section is printing an article entitled “Public Speaking an Important Career Tool.” This article written by Emilia Benton, a copy editor from the Special Publications of Houston Chronicle Media Group, features some of my ideas about the value of public speaking skills for career development. Ms. Benton […] Read more

Great Storytelling from the Heart of Boyd Varty Shares Stories of Africa and Mandela

As we lay Nelson Mandela to rest this past week, here is a lovely TED talk story told by Boyd Varty, a man who met Mandela as a child. To learn to tell your valuable and inspiring stories, join my speaking group classes at Self-Expression Center or coaching via Skype. I am Sandra Zimmer, author […] Read more

The Power of Self-Expression for Transformation and Public Speaking

I have read in esoteric spiritual books that the most transformational activity for humanity is self-expression. I have spent my life testing that theory. In my early twenties, I was driven to self-express through acting. Although I was not a great actress, the training I received in acting and singing techniques freed me from some rigidity and […] Read more

The Easiest Way to Make a Difference

Do you really want to make a difference?  It’s easy!  You don’t have to start a non-profit, give up your day job and travel to Africa to live among the poor or sell all your worldly possessions and donate the proceeds to a charity.  All you have to do is tell someone he is good […] Read more

Characteristics of Inspirational Leaders – Blog by Frenetta Tate

I just read an excellent blog post by Frenetta Tate MBA called The Seven Success Characteristics of Inspirational Leadership.  Ms. Tate identified a powerful set of qualities that leaders who inspire others possess.  They are: 1. The Crusader 2. The Connector 3. The Innovator 4. The Encourager 5. The Coach 6. The Builder 7. The […] Read more

Want to Speak like Steve Jobs?

I had never seen Steve Jobs talk before; but after he died, I heard lots of people rave about the way he spoke in public. It seemed like many people thought he was the epitome of a great speaker. Then I began reading his biography Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Before even finishing a quarter […] Read more

Be an Outloud Thinker

 For the umpteenth time, a client shared his story about being in a meeting, having an idea and not sharing it outloud. His point, of course, was that twenty minutes later, a co-worker voiced that same idea and everyone applauded! Do you find yourself in meetings thinking a great idea but holding it back because you […] Read more

Thomas Friedman & BP – How Messages Find their Way to the Right Ears

I am a huge fan of Thomas Friedman.  He articulates clearly what I can’t always think for myself.  When I can’t quite clarify my thoughts about global situations, Friedman will say it in a way that makes me sigh, “Yes, that’s it!” In case you don’t know who Thomas Friedman is, he is a columnist […] Read more

Seth Godin on the Discomfort of Leadership

  Seth Godin, author of Tribes, writes a blog on leadership at sethsblog.com.  He quotes his book, “Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead.” He continues with:  “It’s uncomfortable to stand up in front of strangers. It’s uncomfortable to propose an idea that might fail. It’s […] Read more

Taylor Swift – Transparency is a Key to Taylor’s Success

Recently, I was fascinated by an NBC Dateline documentary spotlighting the singing star, Taylor Swift. What compelled me to pay attention and watch the whole hour twice was the authenticity from which this dynamo of a performer and businesswoman lives her life and runs her productions. At 19 years of age, she runs the whole […] Read more