1. Acknowledgements
T he cool part about the acknowledgments page is that it s
the author s chance to formally thank the people who have
supported the writing of her book. It s important because this
work is the combined effort of people who have come together
in many different ways. No one accomplishes a goal like writing
a book alone.
With sincere gratitude, I would like to thank my team, family,
friends, and colleagues who have helped bring this project
into form.
My editor, Kari Barlow, has been indispensable in bringing
this book to life. Thank you for helping me take my speeches,
lectures, and seminar writing style and convert it into this
manuscript.
Sealy Yates, my literary agent, has believed in me and in this
project from the start. Your guidance and suggestions, even when
they were painful, have been invaluable to me.
Thanks to talented cover designer Lisa Woods, who illustrated
my vision beautifully.
My national coordinators/directors of client relations
through the years, Mary Jo Standley, Michelle Gulledge, and
Leanne Martin, have helped keep me organized and free to move
forward. Your loyalty and support are a huge part of our success.
I want to thank my mentors and coaches for their guidance
and support. You were generous enough to share with me your
pearls of wisdom to help me navigate the hills and valleys of my
journey.
My critical review team took the time to read the early drafts
and provide wonderful feedback. Thanks to Susan Suffes, who
helped me to craft the initial proposal for this work, and to Linda
O Doughda, who copyedited it. Each of you has helped me make
this book a valuable tool for the readers.
I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the many

2. corporations, associations, and individuals who have included
my programs in their training and development agendas. Much
of this material has been crafted from the real world: field-tested
presentation experiences in those workshops and courses.
A very special thank-you goes out to my colleagues and
friends at the National Speakers Association and Gen Next.
My parents, Jan and Pete Sjodin, my sister, Kim, and my
extended family members were all part of the manuscript review
team at one time or another. You and your efforts are loved and
appreciated.
My dearest friends, old and new, are all such a wonderful gift.
On this particular project, I want to give a shout out to Colette
Carlson, Peter Huber, Nicole Najoan, Pattie Scoma, Amy Jones,
Kristin Henriksen, Joey Walker-Bialek, Renee Raithel-Gabbard,
Nick Taylor, and Brad McMillen for their time and consistent
willingness to let me share the bits and pieces along the way and
for their opinions and contributions.
November 15, 2010, marked Sjodin Communications twentieth
anniversary! I am blown away at how quickly the years have
passed. I am honored and humbled to have been able to build
this little company and make a living doing what I love to do.
Thank you all for being part of my journey. I am so truly grateful
for the blessings I have received.