And, need I mention Buddha, Mohammed, Jesus, Moses, and so many others whose spoken words magnetized millions of people to shape their theological beliefs.

Are speakers leaders? Is there any doubt in your mind now?

OK. I know what you're thinking. These people changed world. Who am I? What can I do? You can do a lot. You can do more than you may know. You can do it in here and now of your life. You are a thought and attitude leader now. Maybe not by your words. By your state of being. It's not what you're saying. It's who you're being.

While you may address issues of far less import, you are no less important. You bring your Self to platform. You bring your essence to platform. As a model of possible, you lead and inspire simply by who you are.

When Les Brown spoke at NSA Washington DC Convention in August 2000, it wasn't his words alone that thrilled those present. Reflect on this truth: It was his state of being. It was his soul shining through that led listeners to get that they, too, had a chance to reveal their greatness, to release their magnificence.

This is leadership of human spirit. We who speak own this privilege. We can lead people to a new level of living and of service. All with our state of being.

We can accept mantle of our power. You can accept mantle of your power. You can lead your audiences to more hope and to more wisdom. All by your state of being. If not you, who? If not now, when?

Burt Dubin, a 20 year veteran of the business of speaking, coaches and mentors speakers and wanna-be's world-wide. For samples of his wisdom, simply go to his web-site, . Down-load some of the 20 FREE articles and 26 FREE newsletters. 1 Speaking Success Road, Kingman, Arizona 86402-6543, USA. Phone 1-800-321-1225. Fax 928-753-7554. E-mail Burt at:

© Copyright Burt Dubin

4. Then, on top of all of that it took ceaseless work, unending hours engaging wisdom I harvested. First to discover how to direct market my services, then to master indirect marketing, to experience indescribable joy of hearing my phone ring. Imagine having decision-makers calling you to ask if you can speak for them! There's nothing like it.

5. After that, with bookings flowing in, I had to learn how to present programs much like fabled Chinese meal. Programs that left audiences satisfied yet hungry for more, and then more again.

6. Let's not forget marketing graphics, appropriate for fees at time. These are to be updated and revised often as level of programs evolves and as letters of commendation are received.

7. Finally, and really first in importance, spirit, love, caring, acceptance of mantle of power along with accountability for judicious use of that power. The privilege of platform is an awesome responsibility. We influence lives. We affect market penetration, sales and profits of companies, and return their shareholders enjoy. We ease way. We give people hope. We are light- bearers.

And when we surrender to our higher purpose, when we give ourselves to our intentions, we may just find ourselves living in a state of euphoria. We may find inner peace, a sense of rightness about how we are engaging our energy. We may even know we've found what Buddhists call our right livelihood.

Burt Dubin, a 20 year veteran of the business of speaking, coaches and mentors speakers and wanna-be's world-wide. For samples of his wisdom, simply go to his web-site, . Down-load some of the 20 FREE articles and 26 FREE newsletters. 1 Speaking Success Road, Kingman, Arizona 86402-6543, USA. Phone 1-800-321-1225. Fax 928-753-7554. E-mail Burt at:

© Copyright Burt Dubin