The Staash Perspective System (SPS):

As you might have read I work with organizations to develop leaders with more focus and creativity. I do this through a unique photography angle in my speaking programs and writing. A solid tripod of Leading with Focus has three legs, one for creativity, one for powerful communications and one for work life balance. Sometimes I find myself speaking in front of a camera and I certainly have my camera with me when I am on assignment. This 'in front of and behind the lens' was very useful and helped me to develop the Staash Perspective System (SPS).

The SPS teaches that simplicity leads to more powerful communications, the second leg of the leading with focus tripod. The SPS got its inspiration from photography because the more simple the photograph, the more powerful it is when viewed. Let me give you an example. The simple photographs almost always involve the three basic shapes, the triangle, square and circle. Look closely at a few photographs and you are bound to see one or more of these simple shapes.  

When a photographer focuses your attention on these simple shapes, you have less to distract your eye. The result is that you can more easily 'get it' or get the powerful message that the photographer is trying to convey.   What if you could communicate simple messages in your speaking? The results would be powerful! There is a direct relationship between the simplicity of your messages and your audience's retention.

Your audience will only remember about 60% of what you said after an hour. This figure drops to 40% after one day and goes down to about 10% after one week. The key information that is remembered drops even further after one month. In fact, you audience will only be able to remember a few points (simple messages), a memorable story, if they liked you as a speaker and if you had passion for what you talked about. Therefore, its very important to refine your key messages so your audience gets it right away!

When I speak about my Staash Perspective System (SPS), I use a photograph of the Eiffel Tower taken in black and white on an angle. The simple shapes of the circle, triangle and square are easily recognizable. The triangle is the Eiffel Tower itself and there are triangles contained on the inside too. There are squares or rectangles throughout the structure. The circle is at the bottom; however, it is a partial circle. The simplicity of the photograph helps people to get the 'simple is powerful' concept. This is made easier because there is less to distract your eye. By showing participants in my speaking programs the photograph, it helps them to retain the information. When more information is retained, the resulting communication that took place is more powerful!

Also, this photograph is a prime example of the 'Rule of Thirds.' The Rule of Thirds is an ancient Greek concept. The Greeks discovered that all beautiful works of art can be divided into thirds, horizontally, vertically, diagonally and even in three dimensions in the photograph. The photograph of the Eiffel Tower can easily be divided into thirds in the diagonal plane, the lower right third of the manicured bushes, the central third of the tower and the upper third of the sky.

Whether the focus is internally on the individuals that are an organization's most valuable asset, externally on how an organization perceives the world, or when a balanced focus is required, the SPS has programs designed to gain a fresh perspective, generate new ideas, sharpen the focus and create new business. The SPS, keeping it simple, making you powerful in your communication and leadership!