Downtime

All caught up in reading and have ton of blog posts I want to do, but strangely exhausted.

Actually, not so strange.

My Meyer-Briggs said I was a closet introvert, the key identifier being: "after you spend time with people, are you tired or energized?"

Answer for me? Tired.

And the bigger the interface, the greater the fatigue.

Today I address remarks to Intel (corp)-hosted VIP luncheon of execs and mil brass at Network Centric Warfare 2007 conference atop Ronald Reagan Building (a cool, rooftop circular pavilion-like room right outta Godfather III).

I didn't eat lunch, but got up in front of the 50 or so people and just spoke extemporaneously about Art Cebrowski, NCW and Transformation and the future of globalization. It was a strange, gravelly-voiced (game throat, still) perf by me: I hadn't expected to talk about Art like that, so I spoke in a (for me) unusually measured tone. Then took questions for 30 or so.

Then rushed to giant, football-field-length ballroom (screens at goal line and 50) and did brief to about 600 or so. I swapped in 18 slides I rarely use because I wanted to slant this one differently (something like a band mixing a play list to stay fresh on stage).

The choice worked wonders and I was in rare form. Went about 45 and did 10 or so in questions.

Then signed books and did another 45 or so follow-on with individuals.

Afterwards, I feel exhausted. That huge room and big audience drew a magnificent flow of energy, really more their doing than mine--they just sort of suck it out of you.

Good audiences are like great interviewers: both make you feel like the partner of a great dance lead. You just relax and whiz around the floor. It's so unconscious when it works.

Another big help here: with lavalier I'm able to roam from goal line to 50-yard line, so to speak, and I'm also great when I am impelled--by layout and size audience--to move a lot and stay non-stop. I am the Favre of briefers: I suck at podiums (like Favre in pockets) and am without peer on the move (rolling-out Favre is a thing of beauty to watch).

It is my only fear of speaking, really, far outdistancing my queasiness over PPT failure (gotta be a pill for that!): having to stand still at a mike. It really drives me nuts for some reason, draining the passion out of a performance (you should see me pace like some "Rain Man" character when I do radio over the phone). I also get far darker when I can't move, and the humor disappears (I will confess I use much physicality in my delivery).

Anyway, a thrilling afternoon for me, especially since my biz agent/manager (please, I regret ever downgrading my profound appreciation for mentor and close friend Jennifer Posda to the lesser phrase "scheduler," because I respect her so and really appreciate the stability she's brought to my career!) Jenn was there to share both experiences. Jenn has become such an integral part of my success as a thought leader, and such a huge, stabilizing anchor in my personal life (everything she manages means more time for Vonne and the kids, something I treasure with more than half my nights in hotels), that it was really great to spend some time with her (much like Warren, we talk so much on the phone, but our F2F time is surprisingly rare given the solid bonds--such is the life).

Warren, BTW, loved what I penned over the weekend. Question is April or May in Esquire (there are few things in my work I love hearing more than Mark psyched on a piece!). Another question is special project I proposed, that I hope he and Granger bite on. I have a scant track record in coming up with my own ideas on pieces, but I think I've got a winner with this idea.

Anyway, beat for the night and will blog in morn, if time found. Better to have worked out. Makes me a better everything to everyone that matters.