Over the years in media coaching I have run into executives who tell me they don’t want to prepare too much for fear of losing their authenticity.  In fact, the opposite is true.  Sound preparation relaxes us to the point where we can be ourselves – and we’ll also remember what we want to say.

I recently read Matthew McConaughey’s terrific new memoir, Greenlights.  He tells a cringe-worthy story of overconfidence and lack of preparation while shooting the 1995 film, Scorpion Spring. It's a lesson we can all take to heart.