Keep Calm And Carry On: A History Lesson

I have long admired the “brand” of Keep Calm and Carry On. In fact, I have purchased products from their website and created my own versions of it, like Keep Calm and Finish Strong as the lead image for my four-part blog series on presentation closing techniques and options. But it was only recently that I became curious about the backstory of this clever slogan.

After a quick Google search, which led me to a Wikipedia website, I realized that this slogan has been around for a long time and has historical reference. Not wanting to believe everything that I read online, I reached out to a good friend in my network, Emma Campbell Visick, who lives and works (and writes) in the United Kingdom. She is a brilliant thinker, writer, and student of history. I have enjoyed many dinner conversations with her and her husband Richard, and come away astounded by how much I don’t know about what transpired in WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and other conflicts that have shaped the world.

It’s a very good thing to have a well-read jobbing historian (her words, not mine) in your professional network. When I received Emma’s email response to my question, “What’s the backstory of the Keep Calm and Carry On slogan,” I knew I had a blog post in the making. It is with joy that I share Emma, her knowledge and perspective with all of you. I hope you will read through to the very end as I did. There is so much we don’t know, don’t remember, and are no longer taught about history. We owe it to ourselves to be more curious about what has happened in the past. We have much to learn from the past, and hopefully this knowledge can help prevent us from repeating the same mistakes. It is also a good reminder of the power of propaganda to shape our thoughts, feelings and actions about contemporary issues. By studying history you might just realize that we’ve been here before.

Please enjoy this article (and the true British English spelling) by guest contributor, Emma Campbell Visick. And please share with others in your network and on social media. We still have much to learn from our military past. History is a great teacher. Let’s be more curious and willing students.

Does History Help Us Understand What We Need To Do To Dig Deeper?
By Emma Campbell-Visick

As Britain anticipated war with Germany in 1939 – and all the uncertainty that went with another conflict with that country in the space of just over 20 years – the Government set about conceptualising and building communication campaigns aimed at galvanising the will and actions of the people to withstand a further period of hostilities. Developed in the Spring of that year, the Keep Calm and Carry On tag line pre-dated the outbreak of the Second World War but was apparently never formally broadcast. Campaign posters like the one shown here were discovered over sixty years later; igniting a combination of nostalgia and pride in how well these few, simple words summed up the British psyche – not just in times of war, either – and this clever catchphrase has since been extended into a variety of different places and uses.

Inspiring Action and Self-Reliance

A campaign that did see the light of day – Dig For Victory – built on the sentiments of stoicism and self-reliance evoked by Keep Calm and Carry On, and urged us to use every bit of space in which to grow our own food. Dependent on sea trade routes, Britain faced a long and arduous battle to maintain supply lines as the highly effective German U-Boats wreaked havoc on our merchant shipping convoys. When placed alongside the assertion (attributed to Napoleon) that, “An army marches on its stomach”, Dig for Victory hit home the message that Britain had to build capability and capacity to feed itself.

Similarly, and in the interests of eeking-out and recycling, the Make Do And Mend campaign distributed a pamphlet filled with useful tips. It appealed to the value of thrift and the drive against wasting precious resources. Other noteworthy campaigns sought contributions of all and any metal objects that were to be melted down and used for building new aircraft and the manufacture of armaments. A fabulous notion, other than saucepans, wrought iron railings, and tin cups (amongst the plethora of other things offered up by the Great British public) were completely unusable for those particular purposes.

Mobilising a Workforce

Throughout the War, the British Government continued to release campaigns aimed at galvanising its people to keep that stiff upper lip and push through. The Blitz continued during the Battle of Britain, and until we were properly able to secure our skies. Key to this was the manufacture of aircraft, for which we required the rapid and wholesale employment of women, as so many men had been displaced into military roles.

Additionally, those who could no longer work, or who were unfit / too old for combative roles, were assigned to fire-watching cum air raid warden cum peacekeeping roles on land. This was epitomised through the long-running comedy series Dad’s Army; which addressed almost every aspect of what life was like at that time for those left behind to guard the home front…albeit in a comedic setting.

While Keep Calm and Carry On might not have been released into the public domain, the immortal words of Corporal Jones, “Don’t panic!” entered the vernacular to epitomise the state of the British mind during six years of conflict; the monologue of an elderly soldier, who had had a decorated military career in the Sudan in the late nineteenth century, but who was prone to panicking and venting forth when confronted by the unfamiliar military environment he faced in the mid-twentieth. Watch these funny “Don’t Panic” scenes from the TV series, Dad’s Army.


Ten Insights From Our Military Past

Most people have limited knowledge or were never taught at school about the details of our military past. The study of history – and the overwhelming impact of conflict, not only on the fighting forces but also on civilians caught up in the theatres of war – could assist our better understanding of and approaches towards some of the challenges faced during peacetime.

Here are ten action points which, I believe, we can take forward in our every day lives; and some insights from our military past that, perhaps, put the necessity of taking such action into context.


1. Defy Ignorance

Insight: In the build up to Operation Barbarossa, part of the Eastern Front campaign in Europe, four million Axis troops amassed along the Soviet border from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Confident of the strength of the non-aggression pact signed with Germany in August 1939, Stalin neglected to believe any of the reports from his military advisors until the covers were removed from the canons and firing started on 21 June 1941.

Take Action:


  • Gather intelligence
  • Avoid wishful thinking
  • Make it your duty to understand what is going on
  • Ask the bold, challenging questions – don’t be afraid to ask.


2. Know What You Are Good At (as well as your limitations)

Insight: Britain proved that we could wage war in the skies, while the battle for the sea took the duration of the war to play out. Victory in the Battle of Britain provided a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape, and was used to good effect by the propaganda machine that was steadily churning away.

Take Action:


  • Build credibility and trust based on what you are good at and what can reasonably be achieved
  • Build on your strengths, and any weaknesses will take care of themselves.

3. Lead by Example

Insight: The massacres and crimes against humanity committed across the globe in the quest for domination and control have yielded lessons that lead the fight for human rights; calling out misdemeanours and prosecuting the perpetrators of atrocities.

Take Action:


  • Lead where you can, otherwise seek leadership and assist that leadership towards a higher goal
  • And, if you can’t behave, don’t say or do anything.


4. Get Organised

Insight: The Great War 1914-19 and its successor in 1939-45 demonstrated the need (nay imperative) for dialogue and negotiation in the face of perceived or actual threats. Since 1945, the United Nations, NATO (the military might behind diplomatic efforts), and the European Union have enabled like-minded nation states to work together rather than apart, and to achieve strength through numbers; while ensuring that no single person or state is more dominant or stronger than the sum of the parts.

Take Action:

As Kathy McAfee would say, “Build your network!”

5. Plan

Insight: All military battles have had plans – some more successful than others – and, through planning, people can communicate and understand the intentions and objectives of others; enabling them to put their own plans into perspective.

Take Action:


  • Failing to plan is planning to fail
  • Plans change, but you have to start somewhere.


6. Manage Risk

Insight: Arguably, every action of the British propaganda machine addressed the risks of the time; while communicating our strengths, leveraging opportunities, and demonising the threats. A notorious campaign encapsulated the risk that Careless Talk Costs Lives. From what I have read and been told, this was a pretty effective message. By way of illustration…in the build up to D-Day (6 June 1944), men and materiel of epic proportions and infrastructure of an unimaginable scale were accumulated along the South Coast of England; the visible landscape was transformed over a period of months. Yet, people did not talk about it. They could see it with their own eyes, they understood that stuff was happening, yet they knew the importance of keeping matters secret. About secrets, more later…back to risks…do you know what “risk” is?

Risks are not the same as issues:


  • An issue is a risk that has not been effectively dealt with.
  • An issue requires more resources to resolve than risks take to mitigate; once you have opened that door and allowed that horse to bolt, there could be a lot of running about to do.

Take Action:

Make it your business to understand the difference between a risk and an issue, and how to manage risks; and, who you will need to call upon should you be unable to hold it all together and that door flies open. And, just to be clear, shooting the horse in this instance should be the worst-case scenario.

7. Learn Lessons

Insight: A key outcome of war in Europe and the economic aftermath has been the formation of the European Union. Initially comprising the western states, the EU now includes a number of countries that formed part of the Soviet Bloc until 1989. Irrespective of your politics, it is an unquestionable fact that the EU has been the single greatest contributor to peace and economic stability in Europe since WWII; peace derived through stable economies. Why Britain would want to leave that Union, therefore, is mind-boggling.

Take Action:

Understand the cause and effect of the things that affect you: if I don’t keep in touch with my network, then picking up that phone or going to that networking event fills me with dread. You get the picture…

8. Avoid Sharing Secrets

Insight: Stealing secrets was, and has been, the stock-in-trade for some infamous organisations. When on our side – like Bletchley Park – it was all good. When we were at the receiving end, the outcomes could be disastrous. As such, secrets represent the bulwark between success and failure and, in a commercial context, should be protected unless it is more beneficial to share them. At a personal level, secrets could amount to your intellectual property; the human capital that you have worked hard for.

Take Action:

  • Know which secrets (of your success) can be shared
  • “Keep Your Powder Dry” – let people discover who you are and what you are capable of; people in suspense will pay more attention to you, be patient with you, and seek you out because they are interested to know more about you.


9. Be Charismatic and Persuasive

Insight: History shows that, when people are led or forced to do things through fear, they remember that terror. When led through persuasion and charisma, they remember the journey.

Take Action:

Inspire people to follow you; avoid using the stick if you can.

10. Build Resilience and Resolve

Insight: Churchill’s words, “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…” are well-known; words uttered in Britain’s “darkest hour”. In a modern, peacetime, and civilian context, the “fight” could be our individual paths towards achieving success – however we define it – and that we explore success in many, different places, and keep our resolve to do so through open-mindedness and (dare I say it) a degree of experimentation.

Take Action:


  • Understand what is important and why
  • Network with like-minded individuals and organisations to build a common platform and understanding; learn from them
  • Be brave without making a fool of yourself; be courageous without falling on your sword – you’ll be remembered, but it could take a while before people speak to you again.


About the Writer

Emma Campbell-Visick is a Programme Manager and Change Manager, specialising in IT-driven change and organisational transformation involving business process re-engineering, people management, and regulatory enforcement.

As a Programme Manager, she works with clients in the public and private sectors to deliver enhancements and benefits to their businesses, ensuring that portfolios of change are aligned with their corporate strategies and the vision end states for their target operating models.

In her role as a Change Manager, she defines the change management strategies for her clients, prepares change teams, develops sponsorship models, manages change through communications and training, and monitors the actions required to reinforce and embed change.

Passionate about learning and education, Emma volunteers as a student mentor at Southampton University in the United Kingdom – a member of the Russell Group. In her spare time, she reads about military history and the impact of military action on civilian populations.

Connect with Emma on LinkedIn

Why Vulnerability Matters

By Kathy McAfee • October 16, 2025
In 2010 we fell in love with the concepts of Vulnerability and Authenticity. It all started when Brene Brown took the stage at her first TED talk The Power of Vulnerability and dazzled us with her…vulnerability. Her TED talk is still one of the most viewed videos on TED.com of all time, with more than 69 million views (as of this writing). The invincible Brene had a lot to say about Vulnerability, and her research and science backed it up. She offered us a pathway to living a more wholehearted life. She said in one of her many books, "Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome." Brene describes vulnerability as the birthplace of connection, love, and joy, but also the core of fear and uncertainty. She emphasizes that true courage comes from being vulnerable enough to show up and be authentic, rather than hiding behind armor. Indeed, Brene opened our hearts and minds of millions of people about this often-misunderstood leadership attribute: Vulnerability. She encouraged us to be courageous and take the risk of being vulnerable and authentically ourselves. Sounds easy enough but turns out it's pretty challenging. Vulnerability Enhances Relationships Inherently we know vulnerability is essential for close relationships. And most of us want close relationships - in our personal life, professional life, civic life, neighborhood, families, etc. Vulnerability helps us build trust and closeness, love and respect. That's good stuff, but apparently many of us struggle to be vulnerable and trusting in relationships William Sparks, author of the book, Actualized Leadership: Meeting your Shadow, Maximizing Your Potential, says that “Being vulnerable is critical because it allows us to connect with others in a genuine and authentic way. If we are UNWILLING to be vulnerable, we limit the quality of our relationships with others. Period. It’s difficult to explore vulnerability without considering courage.” (page 129) Dr. Sparks offers us these tips to develop ourselves into more actualized leaders. Which tip(s) are you willing to put into practice? 5 tips for meeting and managing your Fear of Betrayal Shadow Confront your fear of vulnerability Admit that it hurts to feel rejection, judgment, or indifference Forgive others, and yourself Remove people from your life who cannot be trusted Give yourself permission to practice vulnerability and be less than perfect. Please don't get overwhelmed. Remember, start with baby steps. Being Vulnerable Starts from Within Before we can change the culture, we must be willing to change ourselves first. Examining our relationship with vulnerability and other leadership attributes can be difficult. You can’t do it just inside your own head. It’s helpful to gather with a small group of trusted people and openly discuss topics like Vulnerability. That’s what we did at one of our Fearless COFFEE CHAT social. And the conversation and connection was powerful. Below is the list of conversation prompts that I gave them for their breakout groups. Why not take this list of questions and use them to facilitate your own small group discussion? ☕️ Conversation Prompts on Vulnerability When has being vulnerable opened the door to a deeper connection or opportunity in your life? Can you think of a recent moment when you chose to show up and be seen, even without knowing how it would turn out? When has being vulnerable not gone the way you hoped? What did you take away or learn from that experience? What helps you feel safe enough to be open and authentic with others? How do you balance being open-hearted and vulnerable with maintaining healthy boundaries? Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your younger self about the power of vulnerability? Favorite Quotes on Vulnerability We all need to be inspired, and quotes are terrific tools to do that. they open up the heart and mind and give us new ways to look at things. Here's a quote from Brene Brown that I found worthy of sharing. "To live with courage, purpose, and connection—to be the person whom we long to be—we must again be vulnerable. We must take off the armor, put down the weapons, show up, and let ourselves be seen". ~ Brene Brown , author of Daring Greatly. 👥 Please share your favorite quote on Vulnerability at our Fearless Leader Community on Mighty Networks. Post your quote here. 🆓 Not yet a member of Mighty Networks? You can join for free - click here.

Is Any Body Perfect?

By Kathy McAfee • October 1, 2025
We all know perfection is overrated—and unachievable. Personally, I’ve found that striving for progress over perfection makes life lighter and more rewarding. I aim for excellence in my work, and while I often fall short of “perfect,” I’ve learned to be fine with that. Sounds nice, right? But let’s get real. Facing the Mirror at 64 As I approach my 64th birthday in November, I’ve been wrestling with the emotional side of normal, age-related changes in my body. And I know I’m not alone. At every age, many of us carry dissatisfaction with our bodies. We compare ourselves to the glamorous images on TV, in magazines, and online—and we end up feeling inadequate. Intellectually, we know comparison is a waste of energy. Emotionally, though, it’s hard to stop. Here’s what I’ve discovered: hating your body never creates change. Loving your body does. When we shift from criticism to appreciation, we tap into the energy, confidence, and motivation to build healthier habits—whether that’s exercise, nutrition, or rest. Rethinking Exercise (and Breath) Earlier this year, I became certified as a breath work instructor. I didn’t set out to teach—I simply wanted a tool to help reduce my anxiety and cope with the chaos of our world. And it worked. I found peace, calm, and a new way of talking to myself. I replaced my old limiting joke—“I’m really a sloth, lazy”—with an empowering truth: 👉 “My body and mind are strong, resilient, and capable.” That simple shift in self-talk has made me feel stronger inside and out. My Morning Routine During my 8-week certification program, I built a new morning ritual that blends breath work, movement, and cold exposure. It usually takes about an hour, but I shorten it when I’m traveling or pressed for time. Here’s my flow: Drink a glass of Sole Water for hydration first thing in the morning 1 minute of standing properly and in silence 2–5 minutes of arm twists Five Tibetan Rites (10–21 reps, depending on how I feel) Breath work (Tummo, TT 5, or TT 10, followed by 2 minutes of rest) Eight Brocades (6 reps each) Shower—ending with 30 seconds of cold water 🥶 Short neighborhood walk A healthy breakfast Do I love it? Absolutely. Do I do it every day? Almost—but I also give myself grace. Consistency Over Intensity One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from my coach, Tim van der Vliet of Breathing for Success, is this: 👉 Consistency matters more than intensity. He introduced me to Dr. Stephen Seiler’s TEDx talk: How “Normal People” Can Train Like the World’s Best Endurance Athletes . It’s 17 minutes that completely reframed how I view exercise. Dr. Seiler explains that 80% of elite athletes’ training happens in the “green zone”—low intensity. “No pain, no gain”? Turns out that’s a slick slogan, but a deeply flawed philosophy. True growth happens gradually, through steady, sustainable practice. Curious to explore more? If this sparks something in you, here are some next steps: Book a free 30-minute Breathing Together session with me Explore Tim’s programs at Breathing for Success Try the Five Tibetan Rites in your own routine. Tim teaches a course in this. Subscribe to Tim’s YouTube channel for free guided practices Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress, peace, and consistency are. And the best place to begin might just be tomorrow morning. 🌅

Risky Business

By Kathy McAfee • September 29, 2025
Risk is all around us. It shows up in our careers, our relationships, our choices, and even in the quiet moments when we wonder what might happen if we step outside of our comfort zone. For some, the very word “risk” brings up fear. For others, it sparks excitement. For most of us, it is a mix of both. At a most recent Fearless COFFEE CHAT social , we gathered as a small circle of risk takers to explore how uncertainty can actually be a path to growth. We swapped stories, asked bold questions, and reminded each other of something important: without risk, there is no reward. Why Risk Matters Here are three truths that stood out in our conversation: Risk is unavoidable. It is part of the human experience, whether we like it or not. Risk fuels growth. Research shows that stepping into uncertainty builds resilience, leadership, and self-actualization. No risk, no reward. Calculated risks open doors, both personally and professionally. Think back to your own journey. Wha t risk - big or small - changed your trajectory? Maybe it was applying for a new job, starting a business, speaking up in a difficult meeting, or moving to a new city. Often, those pivotal choices felt scary in the moment but became turning points in hindsight. Rethinking Risk One of the most helpful takeaways from our discussion was the idea that risk does not have to be reckless. Smart, courageous risks are intentional. They are guided by purpose, balanced by preparation, and supported by community. Here are a few practical ways to reframe your relationship with risk: Redefine risk as opportunity. Instead of focusing on what you might lose, ask what doors could open. Start small. Practice by speaking up in a meeting, testing a new idea, or reaching out to a potential collaborator. Balance head and heart. Do your research and trust your gut. Both perspectives matter. Know your why. A strong purpose turns fear into courage. Build a safety net. Have a Plan B, and lean on trusted advisors. Expect failure. Not every risk will work out, but each one teaches you something valuable. Find your people. Courage is contagious when you surround yourself with others who celebrate effort, not just results. Which of these resonates most with you? Questions for Reflection If you are ready to explore risk in your own life and leadership, here are a few questions to sit with: Looking back, what risk opened a new door for you? Looking ahead, what risk are you grappling with that might make all the difference? How does risk show up in your leadership, your relationships, your daily choices? What would it look like to treat risk as a friend rather than a foe? Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is start a conversation. At your next networking event or coffee meeting, try asking: “I’m curious - when you look back, what’s a risk that opened a new door for you?” You might be surprised at the stories you hear. Final Thoughts Growth always requires some degree of uncertainty. Whether you are launching a new project, stepping into leadership, or navigating a life transition, risk is part of the process. You can resist it, or you can embrace it with courage, clarity, and intention. As author Gail Sheehy wrote, “Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.” And Jim Rohn reminded us, “If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” So, what risks are calling you forward right now? And which ones might just open the next big door in your life? I say, feel the free and take the risk anyway!

Speaking Your Truth: The Courage to Practice Candor

By Kathy McAfee • July 2, 2025
The topic of free speech is everywhere these days. From the breaking news reports to our social feeds, we’re seeing conversations about the right to speak, protest, and peacefully assemble being pushed to the forefront. At the same time, we’re watching those rights be questioned and, in some cases, restricted. In divided or uncertain times, speaking up can feel risky. But choosing to be silent comes with its own cost. It takes courage to use your voice, and not just one kind. Speaking your truth often requires social courage, physical courage, and intellectual courage. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable. To risk being wrong. To risk being misunderstood. Sometimes, staying quiet feels easier. But easier doesn’t always mean better. As my friend and writing coach Lois McKenzie puts it in this article , “The prerequisite for speaking isn’t perfection. It’s caring enough about something bigger than your own comfort to risk being wrong, misunderstood or judged.” That quote hits home for so many of us. Too often, fear dresses itself up as humility. But real leadership means choosing visibility over safety, honesty over harmony, and growth over comfort. One of the most underused forms of free speech is candor. Candor is the choice to be forthright and sincere in our communication. It’s not about being blunt or harsh. It’s about showing respect for others by speaking clearly, directly, and with care. In the book Actualized Leadership: Meeting Your Shadow, Maximizing Your Potential author Dr. Will Sparks includes candor as one of the nine essential attributes of actualized leadership. It is one of the behaviors that actualized leaders do consistently well. Cander is also included in the “Confidence Sequence” grouped with objectivity and courage. (see Chapter 8). Here’s what stands out about actualized leaders: They don’t sugarcoat the truth. They don’t avoid difficult conversations. They don’t use honesty as a weapon. They speak to be clear, not to be right. Candor also helps prevent unnecessary drama and wasted time. And it builds trust between people. Dr. Sparks reminds us, “Whether you’re leading an organization or making decisions about a personal relationship, you owe it to yourself and anyone else involved to be candid.” (page 105 of Actualized Leadership ) If candor feels hard for you, you’re not alone. Many of us were raised to keep the peace, smooth things over, or avoid conflict. But holding back can be just as damaging as speaking carelessly. You can be kind and candid at the same time. One helpful approach that I’ve used successfully is to start a conversation with this simple question: “May I be candid with you?” This question invites permission and sets the tone for a more open exchange. It helps the listener emotionally prepare themself for what might be an uncomfortable conversation. It also builds confidence, creates connection, and helps move things forward. As Dr. Sparks explains, “Rather than agenda-laden or hurtful bluntness, candor is about respecting the value of others without making assumptions about likely responses or reactions.” (page 105) Does candor help or hinder your goal attainment? I believe there’s a strong link between reaching our goals and learning how to speak our truth. Candor isn’t just important in leadership. It’s essential for progress in our personal and professional lives. When we speak clearly, we create clarity. When we speak our truth, we build trust within ourselves and with others. When we communicate with courage, we inspire others to do the same. So consider this your invitation to reflect on your own voice. Ask yourself: What does free speech mean to me? Where am I withholding honesty, and why? What fears stop me from being more candid? Who do I find it hardest to be honest with? How do I typically respond when others are trying to speak their truth and be candid with me? What might happen if I found the courage to speak more freely….and allow others to do the same? Empower yourself with the right to speak freely Imagine what your business and your life might look like if you gave yourself permission to speak your truth more often. Candor could be the tool that unlocks that next level of growth, connection, and confidence. What truth do you need to speak next? First be candid with yourself.

What Does it Really Mean to be Free?

By Kathy McAfee • June 4, 2025
With Juneteenth on the horizon, I’ve found myself reflecting more deeply on the idea of freedom, what it means, how we experience it, and how often it’s something we must reclaim for ourselves. Juneteenth commemorates a pivotal moment in American history. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned that they had been freed, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln. Slavery was officially abolished later that year with the ratification of the 13th Amendment. And yet, freedom is not a one-time event. It’s not a single document, a holiday, or a moment in time. It’s an ongoing journey. I first learned about Juneteenth when I interviewed Dr. Opal Lee for my book Fearless Female Leaders . I was deeply moved by her story. I think you will be too when you read the book. At 97 years old, Opal continues to work for unity, justice, and peace. Even after successfully leading the movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday, she didn’t stop. Her commitment to building a better world remains as strong as ever. Her story, “The Fearless Face of Freedom,” appears in Chapter 8 of my book and continues to inspire me, and many others, to keep asking big questions about what freedom looks like today.

Planting Seeds of Opportunity

By Kathy McAfee • April 15, 2025
The coaching session that changed the way I think and do new business development. Planting seeds as a metaphor is powerful!

How to Overcome Presentation Procrastination

By Kathy McAfee • March 26, 2025
I’m excited to announce the relaunch of a digital toolkit that has saved my ass numerous times in the past. It’s called The Control Center presentation toolkit and it includes exclusive content from my book, Stop Global Boring . This presentation toolkit literally saved me this past week. Saved me from what, you ask? 👹 Presentation procrastination: that’s what! You know the pressure of pulling together a fantastic presentation with all the bells and whistles but having it stay in your head as a big vision, but absolutely nothing materializing in real life? Hours go by, days go by, weeks go by… and still you remain in procrastination land. You manage to skirt by when the boss keeps asking you to review your slides. In truth you haven’t created a single one. Or maybe you pulled up an old presentation and tried to update it. But you know in your heart that it stinks. The pressure and reputation risks are building by the hour. Can you just wing it like you've done before? Truth be told… None of us are immune from the pain and agony of presentation procrastination. Not even me. (and I teach this stuff!) For the past four weeks I’ve been struggling with getting my presentation together for a major presentation with an exciting new client. I could visualize it all in my head, but nothing was materializing in a way that was actionable. Finally, I opened up The Control Center presentation toolkit and used the tools of my own making. And it worked! Fast as lightning, the pieces started to come together. I figured out my key message, critical content, support materials, opening and closing statements, and ways I could engage the audience so this wasn’t just a boring, talking-head-style presentation. Best of all, my energy is up and I am feeling confident and excited about this presentation opportunity. So different than the negative feelings I was experiencing when I was stuck in procrastination land. Shifting into GO mode This week I’m headed to Chicago to present two breakout sessions for the Arthritis Foundation at their Staff Summit. (Check out their website - they have helpful resources ). My session is entitled: Power of the Pitch: Presenting with Influence and Impact . I will be giving the session with little or no slides. My goal is to teach them how to summon the courage to be creative (not controlled), to be original (not ordinary) and to be bold (not bland or boring) when they give presentations and talks. And I will give them presentation planning tools and techniques to prevent procrastination from setting in. Are you prone to presentation procrastination? Many people think procrastination is laziness, but I think procrastination is a response to FEAR. Fear of failing… Fear of falling short of expectations… Fear of being judged or criticized… Fear of being boring… And in the case of presentation procrastination, plain old fear of public speaking! In my twenty years of working with clients on their presentation skills and communication mastery, I have also seen many bad habits that waste time and bore audiences to death. The biggest bad habit in presentation preparation (other than waiting until the last minute and winging it), is hiding behind your PowerPoint slides. Many of my clients equate presentations with PPT slides and refer to their slide deck as the presentation itself. Worse yet, building slides is often the very first thing they will do to prepare for an upcoming presentation. This is not how you should prepare for a presentation Slide building should be the very last thing you do in the presentation preparation process. How do you break this bad habit? How can you regain control and find a better way to begin preparing for a presentation? Get The Control Center Presentation Toolkit For $19.97 you can get 13 powerful tools in PDF-writable format and a workbook that will act as a roadmap to help you plan, build, deliver and critique your presentation performance. The toolkit includes my signature presentation tool called Clean Sheet Thinking which will help you develop your high-level game plan for your upcoming presentation. Using this powerful tool from The Control Center toolkit you can go from the agony of procrastination to the thrill of seeing the strategic vision of your presentation come to life! From procrastination to persuasion in less than 30 minutes! That’s what can happen when you use the tools in The Control Center presentation toolkit. If that’s not worth $19.97, I don’t know what is! 🛍 Save yourself with The Control Center presentation toolkit 📖 Save your audience by reading my book Stop Global Boring

Don't Let Your Relationships Drift

By Kathy McAfee • February 13, 2025
Kathy McAfee shares her philosophy that "Networking is more than an event or activity; it is a strategy for a successful life." But too many working professionals let their relationships drift away through inaction, neglect, stress, lack of time and lack of communication and appreciation. Kathy offers insights and tips to help you learn how to reconnect and to renew the important relationships in your life.

How would you RATE your boss?

By Kathy McAfee • January 15, 2025
Over the course of my long career, I have had my fair share of good bosses (like Simon Fraser and Yolanda Canny), and some bad bosses (who know who they are). If I were completely honest with myself, I would also say as a manager of people, I have been rated by some direct reports as a very good boss and by others, I’ve been viewed as a really shitty manager. I own it all. Learning from negative role models Looking back, I see that I have learned as much from the bad bosses as I have with the good ones. The same goes for role models: there are plenty of examples of terrible leadership, as well as the great. While it’s frustrating to see how frequently the unethical and unprincipled leaders get away with stuff, there’s an opportunity to learn a great deal from them. Being a student of leadership often means we need to observe and study not only what we aspire to, but also the opposite. I observed a great deal of negative leadership lessons during 2020, the first year of the pandemic. In fact, negative leadership was a primary inspiration and catalyst for me to develop the curriculum of my new signature program: The Fearless Leader 8-week group mentoring leadership development program . As I re-read the discussion guides for each of the eight weeks, I remember the context of bad leadership and bad bosses that were operating at that time - as I’m sure you’ll recall from that year! And yet, we survived, and grew, and became wiser. Bonus - a new program was born! Our leadership must evolve as we move into 2025. I see an urgent need for each of us to hold on dearly to our values and principles of ethical leadership, no matter how much craziness falls down on us from the top. When you think of some descriptive words about our leaders today, what words come to mind? For me, “power”, “control” and sadly, “greed” come to mind. Classically a male-dominated expression of leadership, power and control are only one form of leadership. There are many other leadership styles and expressions. And while many people praise command and control style leaders as strong, their regimes tend to be quite damaging to those in their care. Win some. Lose some. Winning doesn’t instantly make you a great leader; nor will winning make you a good boss, or a wonderful partner, or worthy parent. It takes so much more than that. I believe that how you handle the losses reveals so much more about your true character as a leader than winning will ever do for you. Choosing to accept your losses with grace, dignity and humility will also build your resilience. So let’s all remember that winning isn’t everything, nor is it the only thing. Being a good leader doesn’t just happen by accident. You have to make an intentional decision and take intentional actions towards being a better kind of fearless leader. In 2025, resolve to be a good boss, a better leader, a respectful colleague, and a positive role model for current and future leaders who you will influence directly or indirectly. My advice to all would-be fearless leaders is this: Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Seek honest and open feedback. Listen. Create a positive workplace culture. Be accountable. Admit when you are wrong. Apologize. Think before you speak. Be humble and kind. Be grateful. Share. Help others. Leave the world a better place. Pay it forward. Be fearless, but don’t be a jerk.

The value of seeing things differently

By Kathy McAfee • December 30, 2024
Years ago, my husband and I inherited a beautiful free-form wall sculpture from his world-traveling uncle named Otto. Created by Czechoslovak artist Herbert Seiler, this piece has been proudly hung in our homes over the years since Otto’s death. The piece has always intrigued me but not for the reasons you might think. Crafted from copper and other metals, molded and shaped to create a feeling of ships at sea. But by tilting our heads and looking at the piece from a different angle, the art becomes something different. Can you see it?